Tom Jones International

Note added March 2: in an article (probably one of several over the next day or so) the BBC noted the wedding anniversary with lots of quotes from author Robin Eggar on what’s kept the marriage going. Eggar is, overall, not much of an authority on anything but gossip and innuendo and should not be granted any credibiity. But the article does note that it is unusual for a showbiz couple to celebrate a golden anniversary. This photo, from the late 60s, is sweet, isn’t it? For reasons noted below, it’s the only family photo we’ve posted and the only one we intend to post.

March 1 is not only St. David’s Day, the Welsh National Holiday, but it’s also the 42nd anniversary of the day It’s Not Unusual hit #1. So double
congratulations are in order March 1st.

Ask yourself: How many entertainers are still going strong and are still great 42 —42! — years after their first big hit? Sir Tom Jones is, in a word, amazing.

And, although we are scrupulous in our determination to steer clear of Sir Tom’s personal life, we’ll make an exception: March 2nd is Tom’s and Linda’s 50th wedding anniversary so congratulations are definitely due for that. We wish them all the best. Ddyfodol Hapus! Happy Anniversary

St. David’s Day is named in honor (well, it’s a Welsh day, so we’ll write “honour”) of the patron saint of Wales. Saint David, or “Dewi Sant,” in Welsh, was a sixth century Celtic monk, abbot and bishop. He was the archbishop of Wales, and was one of many saints who helped to spread Christianity among pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.
The traditional St. David’s Day emblem — worn on a man’s buttonhole — is the leek (above right), which also figures in a meal that day and the floral emblem is the daffodil which, historians say, really has no significance except that there was some confusion early on in the official Welsh “symbol-designating” department. Seems that the Welsh for “leek” is Cenhinen and the Welsh for “daffodil” is Cenhinen Pedr. Those who’ve studied it say the words somehow got confused and, ultimately, both symbols were adopted.

As for the Welsh dragon we all recognize, it was first noted as the red dragon of Cadwallader, on the flag that led the Britons against the Saxons. The dragon has always been associated with Wales and Henry the Seventh used it as his banner at the Battle of Bosworth when he gained the English throne in 1485. Henry was also the first to use the Dragon on his coins; an emblem of Wales, which has been reinstated on pound coins today.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David’s Day!

—Ellen & Ursula