When I wrote the first story on Cwmbran Life a little over 13 years ago lots of lovely and unusual things have happened.
After I nervously clicked ‘publish’ for the first time I had no idea what or if there would be a second story. How could I keep finding news about our town?
And now in 2025, the dozens of unopened messages that are in my inbox/ WhatsApp/ Texts, the interviews I’ve recently carried out but not written up, and phone calls I’ve promised people have shown there is no shortage of stories. If you’re one of the ‘unwritten stories’ or calls I haven’t returned. Sorry, things become messy on times but please bear with me.
Invite from the King and Queen
When a solid card invite with gold lettering on behalf of the King and Queen “commanding” me to attend Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 26 March was pushed through my letterbox in Fairwater, I scratched my head a few times.
To be in a roomful of regional journalists from across the UK who care passionately about providing local communities with fair, balanced and accurate information in a world of misinformation was a privilege.
To be in a room where the King, Queen, plus the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were circling was a room I never thought I’d be in. And I was only there because in August 2011 I decided that more of Cwmbran’s stories needed to be told.
Meeting other journalists
It was easy to spot the King. The flashing bulb of the photographer’s camera was the giveaway in the roomful of smartly dressed guests all chatting loudly.
An amazing Welsh journalist who I’ve chatted with in a video call but never met in person was there. She told me she spoke to the Queen and told her about a thesis on journalism she had written.
I didn’t personally meet the King or Queen, but Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, approached me and we had a brief conversation which included him asking me if I spoke Welsh before he moved on.
Random conversations with fascinating people. This was my kind of event. About thirty of us walked out of the palace and headed to the appropriately named Buckingham Arms pub to continue sharing stories about a brilliant and memorable evening.
Comments from the King
Here is what the King said shortly before he held this reception for 400 regional media journalists at Buckingham Palace.
“I have long believed that regional media, in all its forms, has a unique and vital role to play in society, perhaps even more so in these uncertain times.
“As I said in a speech to mark the tercentenary of Britain’s first daily national newspaper, back in 2002, the Press, alongside other long-standing institutions, is at the forefront of ‘defining, describing and celebrating the more profound values of our nation’.
“Two decades on, when too much focus is given to that which divides us, that role for your whole industry is more important than ever – and it starts from the ground-up, at local level, in your hands.
“Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share. It shines a light in dark corners, exposing injustice and wrongdoing. Above all, it helps strengthen our communities, in times of joy and at moments of sorrow.
“You won’t always get it right. A free media is one that will and does make mistakes. But at its best, it is a cornerstone of our democracy.
“I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact on your industry. But as the media landscape has changed, so too many of you have adapted and innovated, finding ways of sharing your journalism and engaging audiences in new and creative ways.
“It is in everyone’s interests that you should succeed. For without a thriving and financially robust regional media, we would all be the poorer.”
Car sharing with the Caerphilly Observer
The person with me in the photo Richard Gurner, the editor of the Caerphilly Observer and my car-sharing mate for the trip. The list of things he has done to help Cwmbran Life is so long. I can’t ever thank him enough. Over lunch last week, a few hours before we went to the place, he had my laptop open on our table and fixed another one of my problems while tucking into his food.