This thread will now only be updated on Bluesky. Thanks everyone, I’ve loved my time here but between the enshittification of the app and the owner’s viciousness it’s time to leave.

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Newyddion tristaf heddiw gyda Geraint Jarman yn ein gadael ni. Bardd, cyfansoddwr a cherddor hollol arloesol ac ysbrydoliaeth i genedlaethau o gerddorion Cymru. Ar flaen y gâd gyda'r Don-Newydd a Reggae ac mae'r clasuron yn aros yn y cof - Tacsi i'r Tywyllwch, Ambiwlans ayyb.💔

Damned auto-correct apparently doesn’t know the word ‘ekphrastic’.

RIP Pat Ingoldsby: A children's television presenter, published author, d.j, journalist, and a Dublin institution. Pat Ingoldsby was ​born in Malahide in 1942. He started working in insurance, which led to him briefly living in England. Thankfully, he abandoned the rat race to embrace a less conventional lifestyle. Unfortunately, his struggle with mental health, which began in his teens, resurfaced. In 1965, Ingoldsby suffered his first of many stays in a psychiatric hospital. He would bravely discuss his lifelong battle with mental illness in his writing and performance, at a time when there was a huge stigma and silence surrounding the taboo subject. He began writing radio plays and performing on RTE radio. Soon, he was bringing his unique poetry performances to tv screens and stages across the country and the UK. Whilst working as a kitchen porter in Skerries in 1967, his boss recognised Ingoldsby's talent and hired him to entertain 600 hotel guests, and he fell in love with the stage. During ​1969-71, he earned a loyal listenership for his RTE radio show 'Saturday Spin'. His first collection of poems called "You've Just Finished Reading This Title" was published in 1977. The year after, his kids' play "Rhymin' Simon" was staged in the Abbey Theatre, followed by a play for adults "Hisself" at the Peacock Theatre. Around this time, he also wrote several episodes of the iconic children's show Wanderly Wagon. But it was in the 1980s, with his beloved chaotic kids' TV shows like Pat's Pals, Pat's Hat, and Pat's Chat, that he became a household name. As a poet myself, most writers would kill to have the universal appeal that Ingoldsby effortlessly enjoys. In a cynical age, his sincerity and charisma shines through. His unique poetry and bohemian style make him and his writing instantly recognisable. When a man himself is as celebrated and cherished as his words he becomes a legend. Ingoldsbys biggest labour of love has always been his prolific poetry, and he was a familiar sight selling his books of poems on the streets of the city. He set up his own publishing house called Willow Publications. He sadly passed away today, but his words and magic live on. Please check the recent documentary on his life called "The Peculiar Sensation of Being Pat Ingoldsby" by director Seamus Murphy proves his fans are still fascinated by the enigmatic maestro. To purchase his books, check out his website patingoldsby.org/

I didn’t know Today was a news programme. I thought it was just podcast adverts interspersed with the weather.

In common with so many universities including mine that used to promote aspiration in their communities, they want to herd working-class students into vocational work and vocational work only. No poetry for the plebs!