JUNE - JULY 2012

This week, the Oyster Catcher restaurant and academy, built to replace the old Maelog Hotel here at Rhosneigr on Angelsey, officially opened. It is an unique building, as its the first restaurant for the German firm Huff, to erect in the UK. The whole building and its kitchen appliances, come in units ready to put together. It is a pity they rushed to meet their deadline date for opening at the beginning of the month, as I believe they had some initial hiccups during the first couple of weeks.

However, Alan and I had a lovely lunch there. I had the most tasty vegetable broth I've ever had anywhere. I was facinated, since I was able to watch through the open kichen serving area, the young trainee chefs working with such purpose and enthusiasm. The Timpson family also own The White Eagle Hotel at Rhoscolyn. They do marvellous work in supporting young people, especially the unemployed. Here, at the Oyster Catcher, through them, the eight trainees employed as apprentices, have already completed a year's training in catering at the ialand's technical college. In twelve month's time, they will move on to employment at other hotels, whilst eight other youngsters are now at the catering college and will then come as trainees on work experience at the Oyster Catcher. It is hoped that this cycle will continue for many years. The Timpsons are an incredible family. They have fostered over 90 children. They also have two factories, one for male trainee workers and one for female trainee workers. These factories are for rehabilitating offenders from the nearby prison. They are then found employment in their Timpson shoe shops. I'd be so proud of such amazing community achievements during my lifetime.  During Menter Môn's Festival month of walks and functions, I joined up with a minibus visiting various archaeological sites around the island. It was rather a wet day, but the company on board was very friendly and warm, so I ended up having a very enjoyable day. Sean Harris, the film animation producer, had joined us. I've mentioned before the animated film he made based on Llyn Cerrig Bach. Sean had brought some interesting items to show us. One was a stone axe replica, made by flint napper John Lord using Norfolk flint. Sean filmed him making it and used it in a film for Derby museum 'The Song of the Axe'. The bronze flat axe replica he had is an early Bronze Age type and was made by Neil Burridge. It shines like the sun... The pottery sherd was given to Sean by his late friend, the artist William Brown, who found it on Orkney. It is certainly early Bronze Age in origin and may be older. You can see that the decoration around the rim was made by impressing a thumbnail into the clay. I was contacted by Ben Errington, London University's Science Dept. to ask if I could meet up with them at Llyn Cerrig Bach, since they were coming there to do a scientific botanical survey this month. They were also extremely interested in the history of the lake, having viewed my webpage. We had a lovely morning together, gleaning knowledge from each other on both aspects of the lake. They have done bore holes in many boggy places, but this time they only studied the botanical environment of Llyn Cerrig Bach from a little boat.   That evening, I then went to give my presentation on Llyn Cerrig Bach to the Ladies Guild in Holyhead, which was well received. My first cousin Vera was in the audience, so we had a lovely catch up chat at the end. We're both so busy, we hardly ever meet!

July, is a very exciting month for me and my family this year, as the Llyn Cerrig Bach exhibition is opening at Oriel Ynys Môn. Also being lauched is a book, titled "Llyn Cerrig Bach - Treasure from the Iron Age". This relates fully the story and background of the artefacts that were found by my father, W.O.Roberts and his team of men in 1942. It can be bought either in a Welsh or English version, price £11.95. I am thrilled with the format of its publication, as it contains information, pictures and illustrations which can easily be appreciated by the general public and schools etc. It also includes valuable contributions by archaeologists and other specialists.

Pat West, Principal officer of Oriel Ynys Môn, gave this inspiring release to the press this week. It wets the appetite of everyone to go and view for themselves this exciting exhibition.
"The artefacts are not only there to be seen and admired, but to fire the imagination of the viewer, providing a connection to people who lived on Anglesey over 2,000 years ago. The display will include a splendid shield mount, various chariot parts, a gang chain, part of a cauldron,, a sickle and blacksmiths' tongs.
Many of the most significant finds included in the exhibition have never previously been displayed on Anglesey. Only the most durable parts of the Iron Age objects have survived. Reproductions of some artefacts have been made, to show how they would have originally looked and have been used". These will be available in the gallery to handle and talk about, between 1 - 3 pm daily, throughout the school summer holidays".

The exhibition opens for public viewing from Saturday July 14th. until mid November.

Finally, after threatening to give up on my blog writing, Martin, my son in law came over to save me last night, when all my entire entries had disappeared, as I thought. On doing a couple of clicks, he brought them back to life thankfully. He then pointed out to me that it was in the UK that I had had over 2,000 blog viewers, but that I had also - 926 in the USA, Romania - 269, Germany - 130, Russia - 110, Canada - 75, Australia - 70, Poland - 47, France - 43 and India - 41. I was amazed! You never know, some of these interested people might turn up at the exhibition on Anglesey! You are all welcome - CROESO I BAWB - see you there if I'm around.

PS Just remembered, I am giving my presentation on Llyn Cerrig Bach at Oriel Ynys Môn at 1-30pm on Saturday August 4th in WELSH and at 7.30pm Thursday August 30th in ENGLISH.  Hwyl fawr - Eflyn.