Three things on the Editor's mind: The Rali, Dolly and Tenby visitors

Pinch me, quick. Are my eyes deceiving me? Did Ceredigion County Council actually get off its behind and do some work on Aberystwyth prom?

Maybe that’s a bit harsh. Most of the people who are employed at the council are dedicated people. It’s the shower who manages them that are the issue. It’s that lot who couldn’t organise a party in a brewery. They’re the ones I’m referring to.

I looked out over the pier just to make sure there were no pigs on the wing out there. Nope. Dim.

Flags are up on the newly pained flagpoles.

Some potholes have been filled. The seagull shit has been moved. Why, bits of the prom are almost – almost – looking prim. Clean. Cared for. Like someone – Eifion – almost gave a damn.

Ah sure, then it hit me. The penny dropped. Silly me. It’s the Rali.

That’s why that place had the once over.

The television cameras are coming. Eifion wants to show off. And that’s why the work was done.

He can’t have Aber looking like a tip when the focus is on the county for a weekend.

I’m assured to know then that once the cars have revved up and buggered off, the place will be left to sink back into its normal state of gradual decay.

Oh, by the way, I’m happy to offer a tidy sum to the first person who will get me a photograph of either Bryan Davis, the council leader, or Eifion Evans, the council CEO, getting out of a helicopter. Word is it’s their normal mode of transport when the Rali comes to town.

About 35 years ago, I had the great fortune to be able to interview the late, great Dolly Parton.

Dolly was in Toronto for a concert and visited a radio station. The paper I was working on received an invite to talk to her after she was done the on-air interview.

I was dispatched, notebook and cassette recorder in hand, to speak with her.

Normally, in these situations and when dealing with celebrities, you have to go through a phalanx of handlers who warn you not to ask about such-and-such or not mention this or that.

It’s par for the course.

Most celebrities are bored withing to the press. It’s like a chore to speak to reporters while they forget that without press, their fame is non-existent. Can’t live with us, can’t live without us.

Dolly?

She was different. One assistant and a muscular security guard. No one else.

And she was charming.

If memory serves me correct, I think I was pencilled in for 15 minutes with her. It wasn’t long after I had moved to Canada and my accent was heavily brogued.

She loved it.

We chatted well over the allotted 15 minutes – more like an hour – and she revelled in tales of fiddle music inspired by Irish immigrants moving to Tennessee and inspiring bluegrass.

It was fascinating stuff.

She talked about growing up as the fourth eldest of 12 children in a one-roomed cabin.

“Momma always had one on her and one in her,” she said about the children. It’s a quote that stuck with me as an understatement of the hardship she escaped from.

She later bought the cabin. When asked why, she said something to the effect that “every girl misses peeing off the porch once in a while.”

Wonderful self-depreciation. But a remarkable woman. Pity there’s not more like her. I’m lucky our paths crossed.

She will be missed.

I had reason to drive down to Tenby last week. I try and avoid it in the summer. It’s heaving with tourists and the town is buzzing.

It’s everything that Aberystwyth isn’t.

Residents have clearly marked parking areas where permits are required.

Take note, please, Aberystwyth.

There were street sweepers out, emptying bins, picking up litter. It looked as if the town council worked.

Restaurants were full, the takeaways were busy, families were happy. New businesses were refitting shops…

Aberystwyth? Economic development in the town seems to be the opening of a new charity shop or tattoo parlour.

On the way back, I noticed that the Moody Cow down beyond Aberaeron had rebranded to Moody Meadows.

I must check out the claim that the Moody Cow has moved to Bow Street.