S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 13
July 18, 2022
Sir Terry Pratchett - Pebble Mill 1995
The great man himself. Sir Terry Pratchett on a Pebble Mill interview in 1995. The quality of film at the beginning is a bit dodgy, but it clears quickly so stick with it.
If it is possible to 'miss' a person you never really knew, then I miss this man. I miss his wit, his perception, his imagination and his outlook on life. Most of all, I miss getting a copy of his new book every Christmas. Still, he has left us a tremendous legacy in his writings, not just Discworld (which I love!) but plenty of other stuff too. If you enjoy fantasy with some fabulous insights and parallels to real life, then give his books a try. I did, and I never looked back!
July 6, 2022
RIP Peter Meredith, Author
I was very shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of author Peter Meredith this morning.
Peter had been battling early-onset dementia, with his dedicated wife Stacy Thuy Meredith doing all she could to help and support him. To hear of his sudden passing today was truly shocking.
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Stacy, Peter Meredith Jr. and their family and friends.
At times such as this, it is hard to find the right words to say. RIP Peter, you will live on in your books, in the hearts and minds of your fans and in the memories of your loved ones.
June 27, 2022
Last Chance to Vote…
Last chance to vote in the Zombie Book of Summer poll in Written Undead! Voting closes on Tuesday, June 28. If the poll doesn’t seem to work, declare your choice in the comments of the poll!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrittenUndead/
There are some of your zombie author favourites in the poll, so take a look!
June 25, 2022
Fonts as People
Just a bit of silliness. The fonts often remind me of characters when I am choosing them for posts. Anyway, enjoy x
June 24, 2022
Leaky Roof
I know no one ever visits my blog. I am going to carry on posting as if people do, anyway. Nothing to lose. If you should pass this way, leave me a comment. Thanks.
June 21, 2022
Get Voting for Zombie Book of the Summer!
IT’S TIME FOR THE WRITTEN UNDEAD'S MUST READ ZOMBIE BOOK OF SUMMER! WE’RE NOT ASKING FOR THE BEST WRITTEN, JUST THE FIRST BOOK/SERIES YOU WOULD RAVE ABOUT TO A FRIEND.
Click the link to vote: Zombie Book of the Summer Poll - Written Undead on Facebook
Hint: if anyone has read and enjoyed any of my zombie fiction, a nomination would be great…
RULES:
1. Vote on your favorite Author/Book
2. Don't see your favorite zombie book?... ADD YOUR NOMINATION TO THE POLL.
3. You are only allowed to vote for 1
4. Nominations must include “Book/series - Author.”
5. Voting ends one week from today. The winner to be announced the following day.
June 20, 2022
A Grave Mistake - Recited by Mick Dark on YouTube!
Check out my short story on Mick Dark's YouTube channel! 'A Grave Mistake' was written for Red Cape Publishing as part of their A - Z of horror series. It features in Volume E is for Exorcism. If you feel like having a story read to you for a change, just click the link and enjoy!
Thank you to Red Cape Publishing and to Mick Dark. Mick, I love the sinister way you recited my story and the eerie feel of the reading. Thank you for doing my work such credit, I appreciate it hugely.
June 18, 2022
Tredegar Vintage Vehicle Rally
Vintage Car rally in Tredegar today. Pouring with rain but seemed like a pretty good turnout. Does anyone remember owning one of these? Maybe you still do? #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagecars #tredegar Check out the full post on my S P Oldham on Facebook page
June 11, 2022
Tumblr
Anyone happen to be on Tumblr? If so, pay me a visit, if you like:
June 9, 2022
Ghosts of Pentyrch
My sister Wendy was having a sort out recently, when she came across an old copy of Community Link, a popular local (to Pentyrch and its environs) community magazine. In it, she found these articles, the first relating to a 1949 sighting of ‘The White Lady,’ the second about the mysterious disappearance of a Spitfire.
If you follow my blog and my writing, you may have by now gathered that I have a love for and interest in such stories of folklore, myth and legend, so I just had to share it with you here. Unfortunately, there are no names to credit the articles to, at least not that I can see. It comes from the 1994 edition of Community Link, its centenary year. If you happen to know who was relating the stories here, just let me know and I will gladly credit them.
Make of the stories what you will. Genuine sightings? Overactive imaginations? Perfectly explicable with the application of a little science and/or common sense? You decide. Feel free to let me know!
The photograph below is of the first article. For ease of reading I have transcribed it below.
“Two frightened young sisters and their cousin, a boy obviously frightened out of his wits but unwilling to admit the fact, rushed down the lane and knocked the front door of Mrs Morgan’s house in Cefn Bychan at 7 o’clock last Saturday evening and blurted out their strange story.
The children had been playing near Pwll Mwyn, throwing stones into the deep water, when they saw above them what they thought was the figure of a woman dressed in a white robe, sitting on the branch of a tree. They also thought that she was holding a block of wood in her hands.
There has been much discussion about the event and as usual some believe it, others do not. I was with Mr John Matthews at his house when David Richard Davies called to ask him his opinion.
“Nonsense, pure nonsense!” Was Mr Matthew’s predictable answer.
“Well I’m not so sure,” retorted Dai Davies, “It sounds like the Ladi Wen to me.”
If Mr Davies is right, it will be the first sighting of Y Ladi Wen since the 1930’s, when it was a regular occurrence.”
* Y Ladi Wen - The White Lady
The photograph below is of the second article: ‘1942 Disappearing Spitfire.’ For ease of reading I transcribed it below.
‘The sight of aeroplanes has been a familiar one since the war began and hardly a minute goes by without some flying machine passing overhead. However, last Thursday afternoon in the first week of the summer holidays, a small group of lads were standing on the corner near Horeb when something happened in the sky that caused them to take an interest immediately. A Spitfire, at roughly a thousand feet or so, roughly above the area of St. George’s, whilst issuing a very loud and distresses (sic) sound from its engine. In a very short time it must have crashed to the ground for it could clearly be seen to come down that far before becoming hidden at the last moment by the trees which spread out westwards from St. Fagans.
Obeying their natural curiosity, at least five of the boys (the ones who possessed bikes) set off to investigate. Although they searched a wide area for several hours together with police and volunteers, no trace of the aeroplane was found… and it remains a mystery.’
Incidentally, St Fagans is a beautiful and very interesting place to visit should you be looking for a day out: St Fagans National Museum of History
Horeb was a chapel I knew well as a child, often playing near it as it was close to the village park. However, now it is better known as Acapela Studios
