Pauline Jayne Donovan 1961-2014

My mother died at around 3:30 this afternoon, age 53, after deteriorating suddenly overnight.I was there along with my father, brother, grandparents and aunt until the very end and I held her hand throughout. She died peacefully after mechanical support was withdrawn.Part of me is relieved the uncertainty if over, and this has been – without a shadow of a doubt – the worst week or so of my life, and complete roller coaster of emotions and stress.She...

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I may be gone some time....

You probably noticed I haven't posted this week, and apologies for not responding to any comments, tweets etc. (it'll become obvious why) but I have to take an extended break as there's something – or rather, someone – that deserves my undivided attention.Last Sunday (a few hours after my last blog in fact), I saw my mother and after taking one look and asking a few questions, I suspected she might have kidney failure. She's always been fiercely...

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500th Post : The Sliding Scale of Nationalism

I've reached an important milestone today - the heady heights of 500 blogs. I'd like to thank everyone who's read or scanned over my ramblings for the last three years. I might make it look easy, but it's hard work - often miserable, sometimes fun – but always rewarding. Taking time to read it means a lot and I hope I can...

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The dragon has three tongues?

Foreign languages are vital in order to understand other cultures, and Welsh is vital to understand our own. (Pic : CILT Cymru) How should languages be taught in Welsh schools? What's the future of Welsh-medium education? What can we do to halt the decline in numbers taking modern foreign languages?When they're not completing...

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Booze, Bans & Bogs

The Welsh Government have launched a consultation of their - slightly controversial - Public Health Bill, which has led to accusations of "nanny stateism". (Pic : chronicallive.co.uk) About a fortnight ago, Health Minister, Mark Drakeford (Lab, Cardiff West), unveiled draft proposals for a flagship Public Health Bill,...

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Short Circuit

The goodwill shown towards the proposed Circuit of Wales is quietly turning into suspicions and doubts. (Pic : Click on Wales) After numerous delays and bubbling controversies, it's worth returning to the Circuit of Wales saga.I briefly outlined what the project involves in Formula One, Motorsports and Wales. Jac o' the...

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"FinEdBill" : The price of weak financial education

It's the form of maths we use everyday, but isn't being taken as seriously in Welsh schools as it should be. As covered last November, a proposed Member's Bill in the National Assembly aims to rectify this.Bethan Jenkins AM's (Plaid, South Wales West) Financial Education & Inclusion Bill was recently sent out for public...

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Whitehall Wonga - Line, Dot, Electric Shock

Wales being Wales, if something sounds straightforward you can guarantee events and double-dealing will conspire to screw it up. (Pic : flir.com) A deal to secure electrification of the south Wales mainline and Valley Lines looked done and dusted, but as you probably already know, throughout March an increasingly fractious...

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