Mick Tems on TV, June 14

Subject: Mick Tems on TV, June 14!
From: Mick Tems
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 09:44 AM

Just to let you know that I'm in this new series, Great Pubs Of Wales, with my Welsh dance team, Gwerinwyr Gwent (Thursdays, 7.30pm). Comedian John Sparkes, of Barry Welsh and Siadwell fame, is introducing the programmes, and Thursday June 14 is us at The Goose And Cuckoo in the wilds of Gwent. (Olly and I tasted Lirpa Loof, a Burton Bridge real ale - very nice, too!)

The series goes out on ITV-Wales - not very helpful to you across the English or Scottish borders, and if you have Sky then you can just tune in. The programme shows me with my tabwrdd and Olly with her fiddle.

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 11:03 AM

Mick:
"Lirpa Loof"?

Try reading the words backwards!

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 11:11 AM

It's a very appropiate name for a spring beer!

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 01:38 PM

Yrros, tub I ma gnidneps eht keew ta Syllo. April Fool si a ytterp enif lear ela.

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 03:26 AM

So THAT'S how Welsh was invented!

Enjoy the fame whilst it lasts... TV appearances are a two edged sword.

But at least it's better circumstances than mine was!

LTS

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: GUEST,Rich Jones
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 05:20 AM

What happened?

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: GUEST,Barry Littelton
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:09 AM

Let's all congratulate Mick on coming back from the dead and getting at least this far. Mick is a collector and ethnomusicologist of hundreds of South Wales songs, a journalist, a fine singer, a pretty dapper melodeon player, a scriptwriter and songsmith as well. For six years he led Calennig, the twmpath/ceilidh band, which included his ex Pattie Smith as caller, bassist Mike Kennedy, Peter Davies and virtuoso fiddler Iolo Jones. The duo Calennig, inspired by Mick on melodeon and Pat on concertina, toured the world. I can justly say that they opened the doors to South Wales music and song.

Then Mick got flattened by one hell of a stroke. He was out for the count for six weeks, and friends feared he would not recover. He spent nine months in hospital, and when he came out he was in a wheelchair and could not speak, and the stroke had ended his melodeon playing. But look at him now; I do believe that he's on the committee of the Tredegar House Festival and he's determined to publish his song collection. In fact, the folk singer Richard Grainger had so much faith in him that Mick was booked for the Whitby Shanty Festival, and he drove at least 600 miles where he did a concert, took a "Trade Winds" workshop and contributed to the Festival CD.

I, for one, am really looking forward to Great Pubs Of Wales. You can see Mick and his delightful partner Olly on ITV Wales, Thursday, June 14 at 7.30pm. Welcome back, buddy; the Grim Reaper hasn't got you yet!

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: Mick Tems
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 01:37 PM

Gosh, thanks! Here's a little bit of history for you - Lady Llanover was famous as a patron of Welsh folk culture, and her servants danced The Llanover Welsh Reel for her. But the good lady, who lived at Llanover Hall, was a teetotaller, and closed every pub across her land. However, The Goose And Cuckoo lay outside her boundaries and so survived. ITV asked Gwerinwyr Gwent to dance the Llanover Welsh Reel, with John Sparkes all dressed up in Welsh costume to play the comedian. Still, fair play to John... he's a good dancer, and the complicated Llanover Welsh Reel has dozens of variations!

I must go out now, for the Tredegar House Festival committee meets tonight and I musn't be late. When I come back, there's some more on Lady Llanover and the triple harp "choir"... see you!

Subject: RE: Mick Tems on TV, June 14
From: Mick Tems
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:52 AM

Sorry for the delay, but trac has been on the phone - Blanche is coming to collect The Archive tomorrow, which leaves me no time to get on with the catalogue. Lady Llanover will have to wait!