S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 30
February 22, 2020
Tales from the Rhymney Valley - The Bird of Ill Omen
These days the robin is more often seen as a friendly, welcome visitor. Some believe that a robin is a sign that a lost loved one is near. This tale is unusual in that the robin has quite a different meaning.
This is the last tale that I will share from the book 'The Tales of Rhymney Valley.' I cannot claim any credit for these. The author retelling these tales was Richard Felstead and the illustrator was John Jones. I can’t seem to find a date of publication for the book but I would guess mid-eighties as the foreword refers to a pageant held in 1983. Thank you again to Ronald and Joyce Dunford for the loan of the book. I don't know if the book is still in print or not, but if you should find out, let me know!
The illustrations are great in my view, very dark and well observed. The sort of picture you can find in old-fashioned fairy tales - and we all know how dark they can be, too!
I hope you have enjoyed these tales. If you have a story of myth and folklore you want to share, please do so here. I love this kind of ancient storytelling.
I had a little go at a fairy tale of my own, called The Feathered Nest If you would like to read it, please scroll down to about mid- way down the page.
February 19, 2020
Trees for Headstones - Opinions Please
I know it is already optional, at cost. I am asking about it being compulsory. However, I would add a few things to this. 1. The government (or anybody else) would not be allowed to charge astronomical prices for the trees. You can pick up seedlings from between £5 to £25, depending on where you go. 2. You should be allowed to provide your own tree, perhaps one that the person in question nurtured in life, with a view to having it planted over their own grave one day. 3. You could perhaps pay to have a small plaque affixed to the trunk with the details of your loved one on it, like a traditional headstone, but at a fair price. (Why are funerals so ridiculously expensive?)
But what are your thoughts? Pros and cons? Is this something you would be dead against? Why? How could it be done better? Let me know!
February 18, 2020
Competition Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of my latest competitions!
Katy Mabe - Wakeful Children bundle plus a signed copy
Beverley Derbyshire - Hag's Breath bundle plus a free download of the book
Holly Kilmister - The Dragon Has Wings free download plus prize bundle
Thank you all for entering. If you didn't win this time keep checking back for more competitions. In the meantime, there are lots of freebies for you to enjoy on my site. Feel free to drop me a line! Thank you.
February 8, 2020
Competitions!
Okay, competition #1 coming up. Read the rules carefully! To win this bumper bundle of goodies including a notebook, pen, fridge magnet and mug plus a free download of The Dragon Has Wings, simply sign up at So Lost in Words. First name picked at random wins the bundle! I might pick some runners up for a free download too, you never know...
Sign Up here: Sign Up at So Lost in Words
Find out more about the book here: The Dragon Has Wings on Amazon UK
I am sorry but due to prohibitive postage costs this competition is for UK entrants only.
Competition ends Midnight GMT Saturday 15th February 2020. Competition is in no way endorsed by Facebook.
Competition #2 Competition #2 To be in with a chance of winning this bundle including a tote bag, pens, bookmarks and a signed paperback edition of Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales, find my Facebook page and comment 'I'm in' on the post. My Facebook page is here: S P Oldham and So Lost in Words on Facebook UK only.
Competition #3 Last one for today! To be in with a chance of winning a free download of Hag's Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness, plus this fab spider in a web brooch (not at all valuable, just shiny and it fits with a story in the book!) simply comment on my Facebook page telling me what you are afraid of. Spiders? Heights? Clowns? Whatever. A random winner will be drawn when the competition ends Midnight GMT Saturday 15th February 2020. UK only.
Find me on Facebook here:S P Oldham and So Lost in Words on Facebook
Competition - Sign Up -The Dragon Has Wings
Okay, competition #1 coming up. Read the rules carefully! To win this bumper bundle of goodies including a notebook, pen, fridge magnet and mug plus a free download of The Dragon Has Wings, simply sign up at So Lost in Words. First name picked at random wins the bundle! I might pick some runners up for a free download too, you never know...
Sign Up here: Sign Up at So Lost in Words
Find out more about the book here: The Dragon Has Wings on Amazon UK
I am sorry but due to prohibitive postage costs this competition is for UK entrants only.
Competition ends Midnight GMT Saturday 15th February 2020. Competition is in no way endorsed by Facebook.
February 7, 2020
Reader Interview #4 Sherry Cullen
For Reader Interview #4 click the link. Feel free to comment! Want to take part? Just get in touch and I will get back to you!
Reader Interview #4 Sherry Cullen
February 5, 2020
Reader Interview #3
Reader Interview #3 is now up, this time Joyce Ward is in the hot seat. Want to take part? Just message me or comment. Enjoy.
Reader Interview #3 @So Lost in Words - Joyce Ward
February 4, 2020
Tales from the Rhymney Valley - The Weeping Willow
Another tale of folklore from Tales of the Rhymney Valley, this time about a witch and the origin of the weeping willow. The book was published by Rhymney Valley and District Council and printed by Mid Glamorgan County Supplies Dept, Waterton, Bridgend.
Most importantly, the author retelling these tales was Richard Felstead and the illustrator was John Jones. I can’t seem to find a date of publication but I would guess mid-eighties as the foreword refers to a pageant held in 1983. Thank you again to Ronald and Joyce Dunford for the loan of the book. I don't know if the book is still in print or not, but if you should find out, let me know!
The illustrations are great in my view, very dark and well observed. The sort of picture you can find in old-fashioned fairy tales - and we all know how dark they can be, too! 
February 3, 2020
Reader Interview #2
The second Reader Interview is now live, my next victim being another of my sisters, Wendy Mitchell. To find out more, go here: Reader Interviews on So Lost in Words - Wendy Mitchell
