Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

13 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

From the Banks of the .Dovey.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

From the Banks of the Dovey. This has been a very busy time for members of the family of Pica Caudata "—Anglice, Magpie. What with nests to build—thievish boys to outwit as regards eggs what with harassing family cares, and a final assortment of youngsters whose gaping beaks and insatiable passion for worms—fresh and wriggly, are a perpetual harassment to their male parent, that being has had little leisure to cast a canny eye over the cantref of Machynlleth and its folk. But now, now Glorious things are spoken of thee, Oh thou city of Maglona, in fact if we cannot restrain our frenzied activity within some sort of limit, our town will be improved off the face of the earth. And what will North Wales do then, poor thing ? First and foremcst we learn that we shall have to walk as befitteth those who can boast of a "Public Slaughter House"! This alone is an uplifting thought, and looming in the. distance are also markets, Smithfield, and a Public Library -we are to be solaced with seati on the roads, a necessity (as regards country roads) which I pointed out long ago. It is pathetically asserted that our Market Hall is empty on Market Day- some adduce- that the reason for this desertion is that the terriffic draught either blows visitants clean away, or else jams them into undesirable proximity with the few carcases forlornly pendant there. The need for renovating the wind-swept and dis- mal structure, known as the Market Hall, has long been felt, and our listlessness in this matter is pecu- liar, to say the least of it. It is even more peculiar that we allow every little town in Wales to shame us with their clean, compact, and convenient build- ings, their throng of brisk and capable stall-keepers, their show of poultry, butter, vegetables, and flowers, let alone more solid merchandise. Usually townspeople take a pride in their market. It causes a healthy stir, increases neighbourliness, arouses competition, promotes a pleasanter relation between suppliers and supplied, and last, but by no means least, fixes a fair market price. At present produce is hawked from door to door (and the discomfort of the farmers' wives'-and daughters must be greatly enhanced by this custom, especially during the moist winter months) prices vary curiously, and a large element of uncertainty is infused into the question of one's poultry and butter supply. Why should these things be? With genuine Welsh goods from local factories so easily obtainable, in addition to the excellent farm produce brought in weekly, Machynlleth market might easily make itself a name. It might import such rarities as flowers and potted plants, and generally stimulate garden industry, and exhibit the products of local looms, whose value, beyond a very narrow radius, is almost unknown. Let us, my brethren, for instance, consider the visitor. He tries to procure a certain delicacy-it may be smoked bacon-in Machynlleth. After going the usual rounds he naturally concludes that it is not to be had here; no inner mystic sense whispers to him that if he turns tdown Court No. 107, and is lucky enough to find Mrs. Emlyn Rhys Cadwaladyr Owens, Blaenau, in, her cousin's hus- band's niece can easily and regularly supply him with that he covets. Not a bit of it. That visitor at once disgustedly sends away for the requisite article, and tells all his friends Beastly awkward show this, can't get anything here;" whereas with a proper market-- Yet let us console ourselves with the thought of the coming slaughter house. Public, observe. That is bound to prove a superhuman attraction to all .and sundry. Naturally it claims prominence over such a tame-spirited affair as a Public Library. Our summer evenings' saunters will soon be pleas- antly diversified, and before long we shall hear the amative cooings of our lads and lasses prefaced thus, Co-o-ome into the back-yard, Maud, and let us take a stroll around the slaughter house!" Let us hope that the pleasure-jaded visitor may prefer Llyfnant and Cader Idris. It is gratifying to all of us old inhabitants to learn (as has been my good fortune from a contemporary) that Visitors are delighted with the scenery—and all are as nature moulded them." Doubtless the class of people named will also appreciate this generous, if rather rash testimony as to their fidelity to nature's mould. On the other hand, it has been suggested that this dark saying should be differently understood, that it plainly hints of fig-leaves or the lack of them! But now we tread on strange ground. Let us turn to some- thing homely and familiar, those ubiquitous trades- men's boxes which ever decorate our-ahem, side- walks. The Urban Council has apparently fallen foul of them lately. Hath not a Council shins V An interesting debate took place the other day as to whether these antiquities should be dreaded most during day or dark. Finally arrived the merciless decision that they must be taken in-about closing flme. The question was undoubtedly perplexing— because in the dark one usually manages to steer clear of them-partly perhaps because they are not there—or have at least, numerically diminished, whereas in the day time one cannons against the old familiar angles, merely out of good fellowship. And the cricket club, the C.C.C. the watercart, and the war ? Under the present increased domestic responsibilities these topics must await the scant leisure of a worm-weary MAGPIE.

CARDIGAN DISTRICT LETTER.

NEWCASTLE EMLYN.

I Llanfihangel-ar-Arth.

LAMPETER.,

LLWYNDAFYDD

ABERAYRON.

TREGARON.

Llanwenog Agricultural Show.

MACHYNLLETH.

CEMMES.

TRE'RDDOL.

-BARMOUTH.