Velvet Voiced Linda



 The Trelawnyd Street Wardens have been given notice of the impending lockdown by the ever gracious Velvet Voiced Linda . You can just make her out far left on the front row, her fashionable pant leg sidewards at a jaunty angle.

Even though, the initiative wasn’t only her idea, VVL made the whole thing work and she did it with diplomacy and a voice like chocolate. 
These things seldom work without good leadership and at the original meeting there was many ideas thrown about, several of them not always constructive. But Linda ran with the good ones, commanded warmth and respect and got things done.
Not an easy job I can tell you.
In any forum 

Not everyone in the village gets on. 
Of course that’s a given, what with petty jealousies, power struggles and a previous middle aged patriarchy , and to be honest there is at least one person who I know hates my guts with blind testosterone and Mucho gusto!
I don’t care, as I know I am a person who speaks his mind, 
It sometimes goes with the territory of being gobby and gay
But.....if I am being honest the feeling is bloody mutual...and is one stoked by petty behaviours witnessed when I was more at the front line of village activities....
Not quite the chocolate box village I often portray eh
But a very normal one, truth be told.

The decision making for Trelawnyd by Trelawnyd people is now much more diverse and eclectic
And that can only be a good thing. The community Council and the village association now run side by side which is healthy and with these and Linda’s wardens flexing their muscles, ready for a second wave we have good people prepared to fight the good fight



81 comments:

  1. Why do you have self appointed street wardens in Trelawnyd? It sounds horrible. Like Chinese surveillance or the Stasi.

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    1. Bollocks Rachel
      Who pissed on your shoes?
      Each street has two wardens , if required they will shop or arrange pharmacy deliveries and the like for people in lockdown . Much of the work is done by neighbours and friends already but it’s an extra support if people fall through the net, which they indeed did do last lockdown
      The ‘on line’ Group of wardens has also benefited us all with social contact and banter which has been invaluable ( to me) and the contacts has inhanced initiatives such as the repair of the church bell and the reconstruction of the pond on well street

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    2. Perhaps it is the word Warden. We have friends here too and we do things to help each other. I assumed you meant you were reporting misdemeanors. No need to be so aggressive please delete all if you want to. I thought you meant you would be shouting at people if they do something you don't think is right.

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    3. Well, you assumed wrong Rachel.and your negativity and comparisons did get my back up

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    4. “ friends” sound a bit patronising
      “ helpers” is that a better word?

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    5. Friends of ... then name of village ... came through my door. I didn't feel patronized. Still either way friend or helper sounds ok.

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    6. Damn. I am late to this and I feel I have missed the moment when kitty's claws were fully out. Oh well, my idea of the perfectly peaceful village is one where the churchwardens sit in the porch smoking long pipes and talking bollocks. Maybe a murder or two to spice things up.

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    7. Stop making trouble Thomas
      We all can’t agree all of the time
      Lol
      Like you, you big cuddly felicity Kendal type you

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    8. I don't need to make trouble.

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    9. Quote: Mommy (sic) and Daddy are getting on again!

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  2. Life is like a box of chocolates, full of surprises

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    1. And a few hard centres

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    2. I've never understood this analogy first(?) made by Forrest Gump. It only makes sense if the box of chocs has no 'key' to what each choc actually is, or you ignore it, and I can't imagine anyone doing that.

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  3. Anonymous11:22 am

    In spite of your painting, I never imagined that your village was chocolate box. Frictions? Of course. Unhealthy if there weren't.

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, over the years the tales I could of shared

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  4. Calm voices of reason are just what is needed in these times. They are in short supply where I am.

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    1. Debby I think u are right
      Perhaps if I had not shit out a sharp excuse me
      I would not have been fat shamed the other day..
      But to be fair I still would have told the joggers off for running too close

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    2. I was more thinking of calm voices at the helm. We don't have one but I have watched the gravely voiced Dr. Fauci speaking. His words aren't what we might want to hear, but he's calm, he's rational, and he's unequivocal. And how people have glommed on to him! We look for voices of reason in hard times, not the baseless reassurances of a mad man. Your Linda sounds like a voice of reason, and those voices are always prized in times of chaos.

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  5. Fight the good fight? Perhaps you should challenge your nemesis to a wrestling match, wearing big nappies like sumo wrestlers. Lubricated with vegetable oil you could together raise a lot of money for charity and what is more, you would win!

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    1. I think we shall continue to sniff around each other like terriers who will never get on

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  6. Sometimes a crisis can bring out the best in people, and in a community. It hasn't happened in the US since WWII, but maybe it's happening in Wales today.

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    1. Crisis brings the best and the worst out of people

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  7. With COVID on the rise...It appears we will all be "fighting the good fight." In uncharted territory and many variables, times are tough. Even tougher for some.

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    1. Yes, people are tired and weary and fed up
      And perhaps we should remember ALL OF US ARE

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  8. stay safe, little village.

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    1. The sweetest comment tonight, thank you

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  9. We have quite a lot of elderly in our road, and at the beginning of the first lockdown one of our younger neighbours went around leaving her contact details and offering to collect prescriptions, food etc. It was a kind thought, and I've kept her details, just in case. We never know!

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    1. Yes, we never know...so it’s hands to the pumps and do what we can
      Every community , whether town and city needs to follow

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  10. Amanda12:50 pm

    Your village sounds a lot more warming and welcoming than mine. I have been put off getting involved in many aspects due to the sheer snobbery of particular people. An example, I sat next to a woman of 'high rank' at a church service (before Covid) and we chatted, I saw her a few days later in the local supermarket and approached her to say 'hello', she completely blanked me. I detest snobbery and cruelty.

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    1. Perhaps she didn't recognise you out of context. Give her the benefit of the doubt.

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    2. I have a rough two meeting rule
      Don’t make your mind up until the start of meeting three

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  11. Goodness ... I live in a senior residence in S. CO and even though we are not all "best buds" ... we at least try to be civil to each other ... even those we aren't so keen on! We have about 110-120 folks all living in the same residence [community] and not all of the natives are friendly! LOL
    However ... so far none of us have contracted the Virus and, for the most part, we all wear our masks when out roaming the hallways, doing laundry, working on the puzzle down in the Rec Room. You have a good rep in VVL ... the naysayers can just put a sock in it! 😊

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    1. I hope your 120 remain safe

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    2. So far ... so good, John. Thanks!!!

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  12. Sounds like true community. I love it.

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  13. Well, you are prepared, at least. It sounds to me like a very normal and human village, with beauty and flaws!

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    1. Sometimes , for obvious reasons the flaws are not always written about

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  14. Generational change and greater diversity are good things.

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    Replies
    1. Yes...out with the middle aged white heterosexual male

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  15. Ah, blind testosterone. It does so much damage.

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  16. How fun. Like getting a peek into another world... sort of like a BBC sitcom of sorts. Sorry you have to deal with a stick in the mud. That sort never changes. Stubborn. Good for you, seeing the good in the community!

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  17. Well--said John. All sounds like normal village life to me John,

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    1. Yes normal life. But it does take a talented leader to keep all the balls in the air

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  18. I think this works on a village level were you all have been very active on and off for several years. I think you all also have a shared history of coming together flaws and all.
    I like it very much smile every time I ready about your crazy village neighbors.
    Winston is back in surgery today and I am worried. He didn't want to go. He is such a tank but hasn't really recovered from the first operation.
    Take care Be well xx

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    1. My love and best wishes go to you and him xx

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  19. Barbara Anne4:11 pm

    It sounds to me as if your village residents are like any other group that is made up of whoever wants to be there. It takes all kinds!
    Hope each person everywhere will show the love by wearing a mask.

    Hugs!

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    1. Exactly , no different to thousands of such groups in every village

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  20. John-you know that man who is not too friendly I wonder if he is annoyed as he has feelings for men and he is hiding it even to himself x

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    1. Lol fantasy land flis x

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    2. Yess-just as I thought John-he fantasies x

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  21. I asked the woman who started up our village Covid 19 support group if she had been in hospital administration, she said no, education. She's amazing ! We are all volunteers and hopefully in a village 4000 plus everyone who needs help has someone they can ask. In my lane there are a few of us covering our bit of the village.

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    1. Gosh the logistical problems you have with a population ten times bigger than trelawnyds

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  22. I live in a village that is about half the size of yours John. We put a similar warden scheme in place earlier in the year. It was useful for those who were isolating. As is often the way, the formal was eventually over taken by the informal. My partner and I did the weekly shop for a couple in the village for three months. It worked well because they used the same supermarket as we do.

    Hopefully we won’t move up to Tier 3 but I am not holding my breath. There are too many people who aren’t taking this seriously...your joggers, people who have decided by reading cranky websites that it isn’t that bad and we should just get on with things as normal.

    My life has changed significantly since March and I am somewhat getting used to it, though not looking forward to the winter.

    And my cottage is full of ruddy ladybirds! They smell!

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    1. An aside to the warden groups benefits is that it has given 40 odd people something to join and a common goal

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  23. It's sould destroying to get involved with things like this in our village because the political classes take over and bend it to their own ends, and then write about and tell us how well they are serving us as elected councillors.

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    1. There are always people who like being on committees or who like being in charge.
      Once a more eclectic balance is made, everyone can be represented

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  24. Anonymous5:48 pm

    the second wave is starting and in a pandemic it is usually the 2nd wave that kills the majority of people. You baby boomers are all going to die of corona-virus and finally the world will be able to make progress when you boomers are all dead

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    1. Nasty OR jealous of people?

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    2. What an awful, dismissive thing to say. I know plenty of people who take this very seriously and are doing their utmost to protect themselves. Unfortunately, I have a beloved daughter-in-law as well as a sister who are nurses. They take care of covid positive cases. I have a grandson in school who could be infected by other children of deniers. The problem is that it spreads, you ridiculous hateful person. Not everyone who gets sick deserves it.

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    3. It’s a spam Debby xx

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  25. We have a do-gooder in our close who detests me. I make a point of bellowing a cheery "Hello" and waving whenever I see her. Her face is a picture of fury but her manners make her wave back. It makes me giggle inwardly every time x

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    1. You can be as nice as humanly possible but for a Myriad of reasons you can’t like everyone.
      I dont

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    2. I tend to smile politely rather than involve myself with people I dislike, but this particular neighbour is a homophobic god botherer. She runs for home if she sees my gay daughter visiting, not sure why as my daughter really doesn't fancy her. She also puts those bloody "Watchtower" leaflets through our door, Maybe she thinks we might be saved? Who knows! x

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    3. I prefer cunting arsehole myself x

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  26. Warts an all. Good to know where you stand, though; and very good to have friends/helpers/wardens looking out for you!

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    1. Yes warts and all.
      Going gently is essentially a diary and I write as I see things
      A certain reader has delighted to point out my foibles , where I’ve done wrong, my character faults and because of that ( and many other reasons) has been banned.
      They have neglected to understand that I have good self awareness
      I know my faults, the reasons why some people don’t like me, the reasons why my temper or psychi or personality or decisions affect me
      I don’t need them pointing out
      I know them already

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  27. You may tell Velvet Voiced Linda from me that I think she's an absolute knock-out and stylish indeed. And I live far, far away so she need not fear a stalker! :^D

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    1. She is a delightful human being cat

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    2. Amanda12:08 am

      I know that this is a big 'ask' but would any of your villagers like to help a person trying to learn Welsh? If so, please let me know. xx

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    3. I know a few people, will ask

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  28. When you talk about your group of wardens, it brings the old BBC show Dad's Army to mind. I think of you all as a more modern version led by the inimitable VVL.

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    1. Full of characters but not bumbling, of course.

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  29. Our little hamlet used to be a haven of peace and quiet, then over the past few years a number of non-country-folk newcomers have changed everything. I have even had to tell one foul-mouthed woman that she should never speak to me again. Luckily she has obeyed. You're right, John, village life is not always idyllic.

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  30. Good on Linda, it's nice to see such an eclectic group of wardens young and old alike, the key to making any collective group work well together is that you have to be flexible as you are all working towards the same goal.
    I love reading about your village but no matter where you live not everyone will be your friend but if we could just be civil to each other life would be so much better. Sorry I'm rambling on.

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes