| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| billbaily |
Posted - 25/04/2020 : 09:18:44
I've noticed that on this forum there is a wide range of interesting folk living in or have connections with Tredegar. So I am wondering if we could put this to good use. We could all join in to compile a hopefully, longish poem on our real experiences or even made up things on this lockdown situation. We can see how far it goes until it comes to a natural end, but have a laugh along the way.
I'll start us off and see if someone can place the next verse after me
Here we go!
Outside the shop I join the long, snaking queue
Marks on the floor kept me two metres away from you
Grabbed a basket and started to walk quickly around
Headed for the toilet rolls, but none could be found
Thought to myself what other option do I have
When the inevitable time came when I NEEDED the lav! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| billbaily |
Posted - 06/02/2021 : 08:58:40
 Thanks for your kind comments, much appreciated. It's been interesting to have seen what new avenues lockdown has taken people to. If someone had said to me that I'd have been writing poetry all year I wouldn't have believed them.
So what I would like to say to all youngsters or even adults is you just never know what can be achieved until you try
No one moved forward by standing still
Try it... even if it is tiny steps at first
How true that is! |
| nutandboltdarlo |
Posted - 05/02/2021 : 22:27:19
Thanks to you for keeping us entertained. I think you initially hoped that more of us would contribute, but I certainly couldn’t match your deft turn of phrase bringing your experiences to life. So I hope I speak for others in reciprocating your best wishes for a brighter, better 2021.
P.S. And you managed to fit in winning Strictly! |
| billbaily |
Posted - 05/02/2021 : 19:16:05
DIOLCH
Thank you all for reading my lockdown nonsense poems...I've decided that this will be my very last one
They've certainly kept me busy since last April...I've enjoyed doing them...it's been fun
So I'll raise my glass to all of you tonight...and wish you
All the best and good health for 2021
I'm putting my pen back in the pencil case...as my work here is finally done......
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| billbaily |
Posted - 05/02/2021 : 11:27:16
Wipe Your Chops Trevor!
Has anyone got some handy tips...on how to eat a custard ice slice
Because I always end up with it on my chops and Doris says, Trev it doesn't look very nice
I've even approached it very carefully and gone in with a miniscule and dainty bite
But even that was a waste of time as custard came squelching and squirting out - not a pretty sight 
Also when you hold the cake...the icing lid sticks to your fingers like very strong adhesive glue
You then end up eating the sweet icing on the top first ...something I didn't really want to do
What about spaghetti bolognese that's not too easy to pick up with your fork
Made even worse when your in new company and someone is waiting for you to talk
When you actually manage to get some in your mouth...the rest is hanging and absailing on your chin
Its one of those tasty meals you love...but you know it's a battle you cannot win
So Doris now breaks up the long italian spaghetti into very manageable small strips
Making me look a bit more presentable and it's easier to manoevre it to my lips 
Yes some foods prove a little bit more tricky, I'd avoid them if you were on a first date
I'd advise you to be ordering something straight forward that would be served upon your plate
Read on the internet
There was a reference to bolognese, meat based recipe with pasta as far back as 1891 Pellegrino Artusi's cook book |
| billbaily |
Posted - 05/02/2021 : 10:50:52
A robin hopped upon my window sill... and appeared to be looking in
He knows that Trevor is the one that everyday .... puts food out for him
What a lovely bird he is with that gorgeous red flash across his chest
He really is an attractive bird... that is most welcome to be my garden guest
Mind you I've noticed he's quite bossy... and often chases the other birds away 
The sparrows were quickly put in their place....I noticed this the other day
So I just make sure there's enough food in my garden for them all
that is enough seeds, nuts, fat balls for the birds.... big or small
Don't forget to look out and feed the many different species of our lovely feathered friends
Because wildlife is just as important to this world.. as me and you in the end
Robin Redbreast - Erithacus Rubecula
Eats
Worms, seeds, insects & other invertebrates
Length 14cms
Wing span 20-22 cms
Weight 14-21g
Young birds have no red breast and are spotted and golden brown
Aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders
Robins sing all year round - you can hear a robin singing on RSPB.org.uk/birds |
| billbaily |
Posted - 02/02/2021 : 10:02:18
Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside
Key in the ignition... off we go... passing through the valley towns in our little Austin make car
Everyone's dressed in their summer clothes... and the destination Font-y-Gary - 42 miles isn't that far
How patient our dad was hearing "ARE WE THERE YET " X 100 TIMES
It's miners fortnight and the car is overloaded with spare car parts, suitcases and us kids holding on tightly to our plastic buckets & spades
It's holidays for everyone... 2 glorious weeks.. and a time for happy family memories to be made
Other times we'd travel to magical Barry Island....spend our pennies on the rides and in the brightly lit amusement arcades
Followed with delicious salt & vinegared fish & chips...wrapped in newspaper sheets and washed down with.... bubbles up your nose fizzy lemonade
I remember being mesmerised... by the coin operated, life size, laughing sailor that sat inside a very large glass case
and of eating sweet, sticky candyfloss on a stick and it clinging all over my hair and face
We'd browse along the many gift shops....giggling when passing by those funny, saucy postcards
and end the day with a leisurely evening stroll... watching the sunset from the beach promenade
Yes my brother and I have had some really lovely times on that warm, golden Barry Island sand 
and what a thrill...on the journey home...watching those large aeroplanes at Rhoose airport coming into land
Just Perfect!
Check out past footage on the internet of the 'Bristol Queen' paddle steamer at Penarth pier taking passengers to and from South Wales - a wonderful sight
Miners fortnight - last week of July & 1st week of August
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| billbaily |
Posted - 31/01/2021 : 21:16:59
It's Your Round Bobin
Have you ever blurted out a Spoonerism....I have and my butty's laughed & laughed 
I was in a rush to get my sentence out...and it came out completely daft
It is a verbal error... in which a speaker switches up the letters of two words
and when it comes flying out...it sounds hilariously funny and very much absurd
It was well known in an Oxford college that Reverend William Archibald was very prone for this mistake
and very often in his speeches a SPOONERISM he would make
We were in the NCB club years ago... enjoying a friendly afternoon chat
and someone mentioned an upcoming film and I butted in... I know that!
RATMAN & BOBIN
Well Albert and George fell about laughing... I really didn't think they were going to stop at all
I tell you now...to this very day...its a topic they really love to recall 
In fact it's my nickname and boy do they take great pleasure in shouting it across a packed pub when I'm at the bar
Reverend William Archibald Spooner
1844-1930
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| billbaily |
Posted - 30/01/2021 : 17:07:30
Gosh that is a significant decrease in population then. Perhaps the closure of collieries and steelworks made a big difference too |
| nutandboltdarlo |
Posted - 30/01/2021 : 14:34:13
quote:
Originally posted by billbaily
Thanks for the update Shelley I thought it may have been more than 11,000, I took the figure from the Tredegar Forum Homepage. I wonder if anyone knows a more up to date population figure of our town, maybe someone can look into it and put their findings on here. It would be interesting to find out.
Wikipedia says the population was 15,103 in 2011, based on the collective total of the four electoral wards -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tredegar
Years ago the AA members’ handbook gave details such as population, early closing days (remember those?), and hotels for almost every town in the country. I remember it gave Tredegar’s population as somewhere around 21,000 in the late 60s, similar to Shelley’s recollection.
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| billbaily |
Posted - 30/01/2021 : 13:50:44
Thanks for the update Shelley I thought it may have been more than 11,000, I took the figure from the Tredegar Forum Homepage. I wonder if anyone knows a more up to date population figure of our town, maybe someone can look into it and put their findings on here. It would be interesting to find out. |
| ShelleyW |
Posted - 30/01/2021 : 12:38:31
There was a repeat program on tele last week Fishlocks walking and on one of his walks in the Llanelli area he interviewed Georgie muscles he was such a character.......Also I think our little town of Tredegar is 15 thousand population 25 thousand when I was in school late 60s early 70s.( Where are they all gone) lol |
| billbaily |
Posted - 30/01/2021 : 11:06:45
Albert & Myself thought we'd take up some physical exercise... so we attempted weight lifting many, many years ago
Didn't know what the heck I was thinking of... so gave up swiftly... as I was always aching and very sore
Not like our Georgie Muscles... who could lift a horse above his head... and... with his teeth pull a bus 
He was a legend in Tredegar... everyone so excited to see his amazing feats of strength.. ..and that included us
I have to say Tredegar has produced some really talented/incredible people over the years... it makes me feel really proud of our little welsh town
as folk really have stepped up to the plate... and never let the side down
From weight lifters, snooker champs, politicians, doctors, nurses, teachers to name just a few
Miners, ironworkers, chartists, shop keepers including actors and singers too
we've all got something to contribute however big or small.. to our amazing 11,000 populated town
and it's time we started to look upwards.... because in recent months its been hard not to feel down
Well Doris and I are looking forward.... to getting our vaccines and we cannot wait for that momentous day to arrive
It will mean life will be able to get back to some normality.... and that includes seeing Wales... playing rugby again... LIVE
So we are waiting patiently for the postie....and what a hardy lot they are... out in shorts in all weathers... sunshine, wind, rain, snow and hail
They really have done an exceptional job in delivering... our lockdown parcels and hand written mail
Check out South Wales Argus 18th December 2017
George Davies - The Strong Man of Tredegar
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| billbaily |
Posted - 29/01/2021 : 15:16:12
Trevor Remembers His 1950's Rock & Roll Winkle Pickers
Have you ever worn a pair of tight shoes.... that simply did not fit your feet
and you put them on with GRITTED TEETH because they looked real cool and neat
But many years later on you realised...it wasn't an ideal thing to do
Because you've now got flipping painful bunions...not just one but two!
Well there's no more wearing narrow, pinchy shoes... I'm leaving them on the shelf
It's a lesson I have learned the hard way.....I wish someone had told my younger self
They did look the part though when jiving to Bill Haley & The Comets
Apparently Teddy Boys were wearing clothes that were inspired by styles worn by dandies in the Edwardian period. The Daily Express coined the term Teddy Boy by shortening Edwardian to Teddy. Teddy Boys had their roots in music and dancing |
| billbaily |
Posted - 28/01/2021 : 09:44:53
RUN RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN
Browsing on the Gwent Police website...came across a video...and couldn't just believe it
A business in Gwent had customers...sprinting for their lives...to the nearest fire exit
Not because of a threat of fire mind...but because they should never, ever have been in there
They'd been sneaking in behind closed doors...to catch up on their much needed? hair & beauty care
Boy were they running through those corridors... and in a flick of a mouse's tail was soon gone
Running faster than Mo Farah... when the police began to knock the front door of the salon
Check it for yourselves on the website... you'll see them scarpering very clearly on there
Some were in such a rush... they still had towels draped on their wet hair
Someone's £1000 less in their purse - Ouch!
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| billbaily |
Posted - 26/01/2021 : 15:17:01
WHAT WAS BAT?
Ooooooo something fell down our chimney.... approximately 10pm late last Sunday night
so we are going to remove the mantlepiece.....as soon as it gets day light
Doris is hoping it's nothing.... with wild & flapping wings
Namely a bat.... as she's terrified of those nocturnal things
We then looked at each other and both gave out a nervous laugh
as off came the fire surround.... to reveal a pile of black soot upon the hearth
Trev she says, you're resembling Dick Van Dyke... in that famous Mary Poppins film
as by the time I'd finished cleaning up the mess.....I'm covered in soot just like him
Doris is now getting the kettle on and warming up a Greggs cheese & onion bake
and
for afters too... we're having a nice piece of Victoria jam sponge - just to celebrate
In Britain all bat species and their roosts are legally protected by both domestic and international legislation. This means you may be committing a criminal offence if you deliberately take, injure or kill a wild bat. Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats
www.bats.org.uk
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| billbaily |
Posted - 26/01/2021 : 12:09:51
Trevor's Soup Disaster
A few months ago Doris bought a whizzer...it's what I call this particular machine
It pulverizes cooked vegetables at a speed... like you've never, ever seen
I'm not allowed in the kitchen....when the whizzer is doing it's thing
I had a go ONCE...didn't put it together properly... and boy did I hear a loud massive PING!
Holey moley the result was soup spots everywhere....on the ceiling and all on the floor
so you can see why Doris doesn't want me... anywhere near the kitchen anymore
It took us ages to wash down the walls...the mixture got in places we didn't know we even had
Honestly we were both shattered.... the mess it made was really, really bad
So now I just sit at the dining table... put the news on and wait there until Doris gives me a call 
Then its time for a hot bowl of veggie soup.... accompanied with a delicious buttered crusty roll
LUVLY JUBBLY! |
| billbaily |
Posted - 20/01/2021 : 14:40:15
Just a little message.... for all those folk that are not feeling very grand
Don't be afraid to ask someone for help.... I'm sure they will gladly understand
Don't struggle...worry... and think you have to cope all on your own
Reach out.... even if it's for a friendly chat to someone at the end of your phone
Take care....... |
| billbaily |
Posted - 20/01/2021 : 13:25:13
I DON'T BELIEVE IT - BUT I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES
Gosh it's raining so heavily here today... bit bored so I thought I might
scour like a detective on that well known, famous, colossal auction site
Gordon Bennett did it make me stop in my tracks and stare
what very weird items some folks are really selling on there
Here we go!
Used pair of shoe laces £30
Brown fur coat hood (missing buttons) £300
Pair of trainers (left feet only)
Broken plastic clothes airer £150
1 Used sugar sweetners £50
Broken plastic washing basket £55
Very well worn slippers (filthy) £29.99
Used Holey jumper
Small bottle of water £30
Used mug £45
Pair of used trainers (holes all in soles) £10
temporary crowns (for teeth)
Thought to myself that's really, really quite odd - couldn't believe my eyes
so I closed the lid promptly...made my way to the kitchen for a nice cup of tea and Bramley apple pies |
| billbaily |
Posted - 19/01/2021 : 16:02:25
Dentist Appointment Urgently Required
Thought I saw THE BEAST OF BODMIN MOOR when I peeped through the curtains late last night
Quickly called for Gladys to take a look....as it really gave me an awful fright
She told me to put my prescription glasses on....as it was only next doors overweight black cat
Gordon Bennett, I didn't think he was that big.....in lockdown he's certainly got very fat
I watched him slowly stride across the lawn....where he began to stalk a little bird.....oooooo... that made me bang the window and loudly shout
It was then in all that crazy commotion.... my brand new dentures... came flying 100 m.p.h. out
There scattered into minuscule, teeny tiny pieces.... lay my shattered pearly whites on the tiled kitchen floor 
I tell you something for nothing folks.....I WON'T BE LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AGAIN.... FOR THAT FELINE ANYMORE!
GOODNIGHT! |
| billbaily |
Posted - 18/01/2021 : 14:49:37
TIN TRAYS, SHEEP & RAINBOW SHERBET
Gazing out of the rainy bus window.... on my journey home earlier today
looking at the misty hillsides..... just over the way
Remembering us as kids.... scrambling up them carrying your mams best tin serving tray (without her knowledge)
and sliding & racing down the hill... laughing and screaming... but also praying that you made it safely down ok
Then we'd all follow the hillside sheep path trails.... like a helter skelter twisting around and around
This was the result of generations of their hooves.... treading and pounding the coarse ground
Later... off to the corner shop with 3d to spend on rainbow sherbet in a white paper bag
Looking back on our childhood now... what wonderful outdoor times we had
Rounders & football..... always played out in the fresh air
Out for hours and hours......without any worries or cares
BUS ARRIVES AT MY STOP
I get off the bus and search my pockets for the keys to my front door
Thinking what a treat it was today just to see passersby and simply say "Hello"
Also a big THANKYOU to the cashiers in both Poundland & Savers for their friendly customer service - Just great!
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| billbaily |
Posted - 17/01/2021 : 16:26:40
small talk is much BIGGER than you think
Do you know someone who would appreciate a call and friendly chat
as they could be feeling so isolated and would very much appreciate just that
We all need a bit of reassurance that everything is going to be ok
Don't be tempted to put it off and say I'll do it another day
The daylight hours are short and the evenings are very long
but looking after each other... really helps us to stay mentally strong |
| billbaily |
Posted - 17/01/2021 : 14:29:53
What A Whoppa
Viewed some fabulous photos by CAE on Tredegar Forum earlier this week
so I took a little stroll up to our 26 acre park to give myself a real treat
Passed by a few families with their children happily running around
Hopping and jumping into crunchy leaves there lying upon the ground
That brought back a lot of special memories too, it's definitely a very uplifting place to be
and maybe when you visit next, go and check out the height of that one particular conifer tree
(situated at the side of the duck pond/Stable Lane side. The top of it can be seen in one of CAE's photos - in the band stand photo)
Come on photographers take a photo and put it on here for everyone to see
Anyone know exactly how tall it is and how old? I'd love to know! |
| billbaily |
Posted - 13/01/2021 : 15:36:05
Dydd Santes Dwynwen - 25th January
Romance is in the air....we both saw the message on a red balloon up town yesterday
Bespoke Cake Lounges window says 'LOVE' is definitely coming our way
Doris is getting excited.... she says she will cook us a lovely 3 course romantic meal
I got a feeling soon we'll be driving to Tesco Ebbw Vale as it's going to be a Valentines meal deal
Got thinking about my butty George he bought an expensive padded boxed card for his girlfriend in 1964
and told Ethel to keep it safe as he wasn't going in a shop to buy anymore
Their love has stood the test of time and every year on the tiled mantelpiece sits their pride and joy
Its a bit tattered and torn now but still they treasure it... as it was written when they were a young teenage girl and boy
Flipping heck I don't think the card shops are open, I should have adopted Georges idea. Thank goodness for Ebay! |
| billbaily |
Posted - 11/01/2021 : 20:08:33
Dancing On Ice
Well I don't like the snow & I definitely don't like the ice
As the other day I ended up sprawled horizontal on the ground twice
One leg went north and one leg went south
Can't print on here what words came out of my mouth
Doris got my special cushion out.... to rest my poor bruised bits and bobs
Told her I'll be out of action now for her long list of upcoming household jobs
I'm walking like John Wayne now.... actually I think I'm looking pretty cool
but I'm quickly brought back down to earth when she says I look a bleeping fool 
Be careful folks on where you tread.... and don't wear slippery shiny shoes
because like me you will soon discover... some really interesting Strictly dancing moves |
| billbaily |
Posted - 20/12/2020 : 15:11:22
£254.53 Same answer I came too so hopefully we are both correct!
Well done |
