THE TV PROGRAMME
How Green Was My Valley
While the Oscar-winning film version of Richard Llewellyn’s 1939 novel is one of my favourites, it is absolutely riddled with factual inaccuracies. Who would put a coal mine on the top of a mountain for starters? And why does everyone speak with a vaguely Irish accent? Thankfully, in 1975, the BBC made a six-part adaptation of the novel that is much more accurate, and features a whole raft of Welsh stars including Stanley Baker, Siân Phillips and Nerys Hughes. For those Welsh Kitchen readers in the UK, it’s currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer for the next 11 months. There’s also a 10-minute interview with Sian Phillips that was recorded this year all about her time filming the series.
THE PHOTOS
South Wales in the 1970s by Robin Weaver
I’ve always loved photos. I think it possibly comes from my Nanna Lena. She was a prolific photo taker with her cheap little pocket film camera (this was way before digital). She’d point and shoot with no rhyme or reason, and once the film was done, she’d take it into have it developed the next day. The photo were always fantastic, and it’s because of her that we have so many photos of family times growing up. Later, I worked in a photo lab and learned all about how you develop films and photos and how to colour correct. It’s still one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Recently, I came across this collection of black and white images in the British Culture Archive. They were taken by photographer Robin Weaver, who worked as a photographer for the South Wales Argus – my local paper back home in Newport.
THE ADVERT
WWE Clash in the Castle
Back in September, Cardiff hosted the WWE Clash in the Castle wrestling event. There were lots of great videos and the wrestlers really got into the Welsh spirit and showed how much they are willing to laugh at themselves. This was one of my favourites, where WWE Superstar Damian Priest goes to live and work in the Valleys.
THE ARTICLE
Seasons eatings
A little bit of shameless self-promotion here. I was recently commissioned by the Guardian and Visit Wales to write a piece about why you should visit Wales in winter for food and drink. Take a glance if you fancy learning about markets, foraging and more.
THE ARCHIVE
Bread of Heaven – Onion cake recipe
Here’s a piece from the Welsh Kitchen archive where I declare my love for bread of all kinds and cook up a classic Welsh onion cake.