Published 7 January 2019 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing After years at the heart of government, Mark Drakeford today starts in the top job. BBC Wales' political correspondent Daniel Davies has spoken to friends, colleagues and opponents of the Welsh Labour leader about his politics, personality and the sort of first minister he will be. Mark Drakeford's political awakening came early. Nationalist fervour swept his home town of Carmarthen when Gwynfor Evans was elected as Plaid Cymru's first MP in 1966. At grammar school, Mr Drakeford remembers groups of pupils marching around chanting political slogans. English-only road signs lay piled on the ground, torn down the night before. The political climate fired the imagination of the young Drakeford, a clarinet-playing cricket fan. Trashing road signs was, he thought, a "fantastic thing to be doing", he told me. … [Read more...] about Mark Drakeford: From Latin degree to Wales’ leader
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A Trial Marriage to Stephen Sondheim
At right, Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, and Mary Rodgers at the Rodgers-Guettel Christmas party in 1965. Photo: Courtesy of the Rodgers-Beaty-Guettel family In the four years between her explosive separation from Jerry Beaty in 1957 and her Mexican wedding to Henry Guettel in 1961, Mary Rodgers (1931–2014) composed the music for Once Upon a Mattress, ushered the show to Broadway and London, assisted Leonard Bernstein on his Young People’s Concerts, and wrote songs for everyone from Bing Crosby to Captain Kangaroo. All this while raising three young children and juggling many unlikely husband prospects, including the producer Hal Prince; a married editor she called Boston Jack; her Mattress lyricist, Marshall Barer, who was gay; and a CIA operative named Cord Meyer. Finally, there was the man she had met and fallen hard for at Oscar Hammerstein’s farm when she was barely a teenager: Stephen Sondheim. Would their affection take the turn they’d described in a song they … [Read more...] about A Trial Marriage to Stephen Sondheim
The McDonald’s drive-thru at 30: A journey back to an exotic experience
By John Newton Published 29 December 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing It is 30 years since McDonald's opened its first UK drive-thru - 1986 being a year of firsts for a brand that now has 1,200 restaurants across Britain. The figures show consumers really are "lovin' it", yet the concept is also ubiquitous - a familiar, disposable and repeatable experience. So how was it for customers when McDonald's was still new? Was what is now commonplace ever thought a thrill? It is 1975. UK cinemas are showing an advert for a brand whose name, at this point, is principally linked in the national consciousness to a nursery rhyme farmer. To the viewer, "golden arches" means nothing. They don't know chips by another name smell as sweetly. A Big Mac is just an oversized anorak. The ad comes a year after McDonald's opens its first UK restaurant in Woolwich, London. Few Brits, … [Read more...] about The McDonald’s drive-thru at 30: A journey back to an exotic experience
Covid: Pop-up campsite rules ‘harming communities’
By Rachel Flint Published 15 August 2021 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic There are fears rules making it easier for pop-up campsites to open during the Covid pandemic have led to a "free-for-all", harming rural communities. Landowners can open campsites for up to 56 days without planning permission, after rules were relaxed. While owners say the sites are boosting tourism, some residents claim their communities have been damaged after campsites "sprang up overnight". The Welsh government said the rules were helping the tourism sector. With more people holidaying within the UK this summer, because of Covid rules on travel abroad, demand for camping in parts of Wales has risen , with reports of popular sites being booked up for months. During the pandemic the Welsh government temporarily relaxed planning … [Read more...] about Covid: Pop-up campsite rules ‘harming communities’
Ramraid for onesies – baby clothes heist sparks theft-to-order warning
Product-savvy ramraiders are increasingly stealing to order, including possibly for expectant mums, a retail leader says. Recent Hamilton targets include a boutique babywear and accessories shop, and a fashion boutique. Little Mash Boutique in Barton St, in the centre of Hamilton, was the target of a ramraid in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A police spokesperson said a vehicle was reported driving into a building about 12.50am. READ MORE: Put ankle bracelets on youth ramraiders, says exasperated bottle shop owner Patrolling cops nab Auckland ramraider at Thames jewellery store 'Shopping is like therapy': Why people are stepping back inside the stores “Two offenders have entered the premises and left with items from the store.” Three racks of children’s clothing and a till was stolen. Owner Renata Lardelli said the shop could have been targeted because one of the offenders may have been expecting a baby. Lardelli was made aware of the burglary at … [Read more...] about Ramraid for onesies – baby clothes heist sparks theft-to-order warning