The former thriving holiday resort of Rhyl (6 miles away to the north) is now one of the most deprived areas in the whole of Wales. Unemployment,antisocial behaviour, crime, drugs,a change in the holiday habits of the nation and the credit crunch have stripped the town of of its previous "splendor" making it a truly depressing and unattractive dumping ground.
Mind you, I was interested to read that a local initiative has given hope and a purpose to three young boys from the town, by enrolling them as apprentice falconers.
It is hoped that by training these three lads in the ancient discipline, then the seagull nuisance on the Promenade areas will be drastically reduced.
I found the story a hopeful and positive and of course the influence of Ken Loache's 1969 film Kes, has not been lost by myself or the local media at this time, which is not always a bad thing.
Perhaps I am riding a little higher and more hopeful in the wake of seeing Precious drag her sorry arse out of the ghetto on Thursday night......perhaps I am just tired of hearing bad news story after bad news story from the trailer trash capital of North Wales......who knows?
All I do know, is that there is a therapeutic benefit to be had by constant animal responsibility a fact which has been seen ad nauseum in Hollywood, in literature and on tv.......(remember The Yearling? Lassie Come Home? Tarka the otter? The War Horse? The Snow Goose? Marley and Me ? etc etc)
It is a fact we all know, and I think subscribe to......perhaps more initiatives like this should be supported.
Time for an apprentice me thinks
What a great idea. Animals can be so healing. And, I love that this will serve a practical purpose as well.
ReplyDeleteOh Sugar Bean,
ReplyDeleteI get 'tarred and feathered' over all the bad news and go on a news fast. I try to keep my boys busy with things that grow since, it's an ever changing hobby with no two days the same.
Slaps around some dust,
begs a bowl of mushy peas,
~;>
Oh, I'm sorry to read this about Rhyl, I loved that town with a passion growing up. 'Sunnyvale' had to be one of the best places to go on holidays, and I vowed when I became grown up, I would move there, lock, stock and barrel.
ReplyDeleteSad.....
However, it seems there are still things that young boys can take on as hobbies and avoid all the nastiness floating around these days. A true back to roots sport, and a bit of history thrown in.
Thanks for visiting my place, I hope to visit yours often.
Cheers !