A Day in Llandaff

Written by a 60 year old Retired male from Llandaff.

Written on August 12th 2010.

MASS OBSERVATION CITY OF LLANDAFF 12 August 2010 As reported by Geoffrey Barton-Greenwood, Chairman, Llandaff Society

Woke-up at 0645 to clear blue skies. Washed; shaved with Philishave and dressed in lightweight beige suit and ochre coloured shirt, before breakfasting on buttered toast with ‘Vegemite’. Briefed myself for 0845 hrs BBC Wales Radio, MOCO interview at their nearby Llandaff HQ to which I walked. An Interesting four minutes in which I was matched with Brighton University woman, also involved in the survey. I provided my personal views on the exercise together with those of Llandaff Society, alluding to our previous experience in reporting on life at the Millennium. An ITV interview scheduled for later was cancelled without notice - Poor show!

Pumped up tyres on dinghy trailer and commenced packing for holidays due to start next day. Tidied back garden then played with our cocker spaniel ‘Tikki’. Opened post noting RAFBF 70th Anniversary Battle of Britain Appeal and SW Police survey; ‘Have your say’ on proposed reforms including appointment of a Commissioner. Sought out OS sheets for Suffolk from Air Raid Shelter in garden.

Greased bearings on boat trailer then walked dog, with wife Jenny, along River Taff pathway then through old cemetery. Noted three teenagers playing scratch golf on ther UWIC playing field and an itinerant chap, with Bristol accent, in black LDV caravan parked near Prebendal House tending open fire. Saw a Pidgeon’s hearse arriving outside Llandaff Cathedral and mourners assembling for funeral. Looked at Bishops Castle where we encountered visitors from Swansea.

At Spar supermarket in High Street met Myra Jenkins and discussed the proposed sale by the Dean and Chapter of Llandaff Memorial Hall – should it be the subject of a public meeting as it seems the original trust intended it to be held in perpetuity for community use?

Went on to K2 café where we ate tuna mayo baguettes, accompanied by hot chocolate, out on the pavement as it was so warm and sunny. There encountered Marlene, our neighbours mother, and passed the time of day. Walking home we noted a young female painter and decorator at work on the front elevation of the Butchers Arms then proceeded across The Green.

My Aunt; Anne Davies (86) telephoned to congratulate me on the Radio Wales interview. I then finished preparing the GP14 dinghy; mounted the trolley and boat on the trailer before deciding to tidy my double garage, in which I house my 1952 Morris Oxford MO and 1968 Volvo 122s Amazon cars..