Presenters
View allAll Photos Tagged presenter
Aujourd’hui, je voudrais vous présenter une photographe néo-zélandaise, Holly Spring , qui est une grande artographe, si je puis dire !
Holly a récemment remporté le NZIPP/Epson Iris Portrait Creative of the Year 2014 avec les photos de sa fille. !
La fille de Holly est sa muse numéro un et c'est une petite fille très spéciale !
J'aime quand nos enfants nous poussent à faire une œuvre d'art remarquable et Holly est la preuve que l'amour maternel n'a pas de limites ...
Je suis convaincu, que les papas ont aussi des tours dans leur sac 😉
Bien à vous les artistes :D
_____________PdF_________________________________
Today, I would like to introduce you to a New Zealand photographer, Holly Spring, who is a great artist, if I may say so !
Holly recently won the NZIPP/Epson Iris Portrait Creative of the Year 2014 with her photos of her daughter. !
Holly's daughter is her number one muse and she's a very special little girl !
I love when our kids push us to make a remarkable work of art and Holly is proof that motherly love has no limits...
I am convinced that dads also have tricks up their sleeves 😉
Good for you artists :D
مقدم برامج الاطفال | سند حسام الدين التائب
ابن الصحفى والاعلامى الكبير حسام الدين التائب
© 2010 khairy.ms
copyrights for all these photos in this Photostream are owned by Khairy M.Shaban, These Photos shall not be or copied unless the permission is obtained from the Photographer
Photo by
خيري محمد شعبان
khairy Mohamed shaban
khairy.ms@gmail.com.
I was not sure...post or not....but you see...:-)
Try...may be is better...'Shy presenter' On Black ;-)
Wish you happy and peacful friday, my dear friends!!!!! :-)
durante una parata di carri mascherati di carnevale questo signore con il microfono presentava e descriveva i carri in arrivo
...en concert à l'Espace Ried Brun Muntzenheim le 30/05/2025
VIDEOS :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGGzxkr0yks
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7A25Ay1Bqg
CRAZY DIAMOND voit le jour en 2001 et dès le début, il est clair que l’interprétation du répertoire de PINK FLOYD devra être la plus fidèle possible, en suivant de près les traces de Syd BARRETT, Roger WATERS, Richard WRIGHT, Nick MASON et David GILMOUR. Le baptême du feu aura lieu en 2002 à Zürich avec 12 chansons au programme, le chemin vers la perfection prendra encore un certain temps. A partir de 2003, les composants visuels de CRAZY DIAMOND lors des concerts prennent de plus en plus d'importance et en plus de 2 techniciens du son, le groupe comprend maintenant deux techniciens de l'éclairage ainsi qu'un spécialiste audiovisuel qui, en plus des projections vidéo à grande échelle, se montre responsable de toutes les productions graphiques dès la 1ère heure. A partir de 2007, Kata HANKE sera la voix féminine du groupe et son interprétation de « The Great Gig in The Sky » donne à chaque fois la chair de poule. CRAZY DIAMOND se forge une solide réputation dans le monde des « tribute band » qui dépasse largement les frontières de la Suisse. La production de PINK FLOYD, ainsi que Roger WATERS et David GILMOUR plébiscitent CRAZY DIAMOND qui depuis plus de 20 ans, parcourt la Suisse et toute l’Europe, Plus de cent mille personnes ont déjà vu le groupe en concert. Présenter la musique unique de PINK FLOYD est une chose, mais proposer ce petit quelque chose en plus, c'en est une autre. L’interprétation est puissante et pleine d'énergie, avec une touche d'originalité. Ce sont les bons ingrédients pour emmener l'auditeur dans un voyage dans le temps, des années 60 aux années 90. CRAZY DIAMOND se donne totalement pour enthousiasmer son public avec un spectacle inoubliable. Le son énorme est mis en lumière par des effets visuels fantastiques. Pour se faire une idée de l'un des meilleurs hommages à PINK FLOYD...et comme le dit la chanson "Wish you where here" .
CRAZY DIAMOND is born in 2001 and from the beginning, it is clear that the interpretation of the repertoire of PINK FLOYD must be as faithful as possible, following closely the footsteps of Syd BARRETT, Roger WATERS, Richard WRIGHT, Nick MASON and David GILMOUR. The baptism of fire will take place in 2002 in Zürich with 12 songs on the program, the path to perfection will take some time. From 2003, the visual components of CRAZY DIAMOND during concerts are becoming more and more important and in addition to 2 sound technicians, the group now includes two lighting technicians as well as an audiovisual specialist who, in addition to large-scale video projections, is responsible for all graphic productions from the first hour. From 2007, Kata HANKE will be the female voice of the group and her interpretation of «The Great Gig in The Sky» gives goose bumps every time. CRAZY DIAMOND has a solid reputation in the world of «tribute band» that goes far beyond the borders of Switzerland. The production of PINK FLOYD, as well as Roger WATERS and David GILMOUR, have been the favorite of CRAZY DIAMOND, who for more than 20 years has traveled across Switzerland and Europe, Over one hundred thousand people have seen the band live. Presenting the unique music of PINK FLOYD is one thing, but offering this little something extra is another. The performance is powerful and full of energy, with a touch of originality. These are the right ingredients to take the listener on a journey through time, from the 1960s to the 1990s. CRAZY DIAMOND is totally dedicated to enthrall its audience with an unforgettable show. The huge sound is highlighted by fantastic visual effects. To get an idea of one of the best tributes to PINK FLOYD...and as the song "Wish you where here" says.
© Philippe Haumesser. TOUS DROITS RESERVES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©.
Merci beaucoup pour vos visites , commentaires et favoris♥
Thank you very much for your visits, comments and favorites
www.flickriver.com/photos/philippe_haumesser/popular-inte...
« If you appreciate my work and would like to support me becoming an independent photographer, become a Patreon supporter at www.patreon.com/alexdehaas, or buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/alexdehaas :) »
« If you appreciate my work and would like to support me becoming an independent photographer, become a Patreon supporter at www.patreon.com/alexdehaas, or buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/alexdehaas :) »
Pictured recently in her apartment in Santa Monica, California , Patricia Rutledge smiles beautifully beside her portrait by expressionist painter Stephen B Whatley; commissioned last year by her son and his partner. The painting was inspired by a selection of photographs sent to the artist - in order that the portrait would be a surprise for the delighted mother.
Patricia's son Randy wrote, " I gave the painting to my Mom the other day, and she loves it - as do one & all.....it truly brightened up her entire apartment!"
Stephen B Whatley also paints portraits from life, uniquely in just a single sitting and his numerous sitters include public figures - including actors, Dame Judi Dench, Carol Royle, Sian Phillips, Barbara Windsor, Sir Ian McKellen & Julie Walters; presenter & broadcaster Sarah Greene, entrepreneur Ivan Massow & singer Helen Reddy - while his other portraits inspired by photographs include an iconic tribute to Barack Obama (2008) published in TIME magazine; 'William & Kate - Tribute to Royal Love' (2011) published in HELLO magazine & a Diamond Jubilee portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II (2012). These three paintings can also be viewed on this photostream.
Patricia Rutledge. 2012
Oil on canvas
Private collection, California, USA
Photo taken July 24, 2015
Please visit my website: myCDlife.com
This photo was taken during a SafeZone Training I was co-facilitating at a suburban library near the Rochester, NY area. My co-presenter and I banter and make the presentation fun and entertaining for the attendees.
It seems to be a modern phenomenon of experiencing thematic tour guides in major cities. This one is of a guide to the world of chocolatiers in Melbourne; most of whom emanate from Belgium.
Mexican postcard by Sello, no. 216. Collection: Marlene Pilaete.
On 25 November 2020, Mexican singer and actress Flor Silvestre (1930-2020) passed away. She was one of the most prominent and successful performers of Mexican and Latin American music and was a star of classic Mexican films. Famous for her melodious voice and unique singing style, she was nicknamed "La Sentimental" (The Sentimental One) and "La Voz Que Acaricia" (The Voice That Caresses). Her more than 70-year career included stage productions, radio programs, records, films, television programs, comics, and rodeo shows.
Flor Silvestre was born Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla in 1930 in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. She was the third child and second daughter of Jesús Jiménez Cervantes, a butcher, and María de Jesús Chabolla Peña. Her sisters Enriqueta and María de la Luz also became singers. Guillermina was raised in Salamanca and began singing at an early age. Her parents, who were also fond of singing, encouraged her to sing. She loved the mariachi music of famous Mexican singers Jorge Negrete and Lucha Reyes, and also sang songs that belonged to the pasodoble, tango, and bolero genres, which were popular in Mexico in the late 1930s. Her family moved to Mexico City and there she began her singing career. In 1943, when she was 13 years old, she debuted at the Teatro del Pueblo. Her next performance at the Teatro del Pueblo was in the play 'La soldadera' (The female soldier), directed by López Santillán. She played a girl who comes out of a railway wagon and sings 'La soldadera', a song written for her by José de Jesús Morales. The play was also broadcast by Mexico's national radio station, XEFO, and 'La soldadera' became the first song she performed on radio. XEFO announcer Arturo Blancas chose the title of Dolores del Río's film Flor Silvestre (Emilio Fernández, 1943), as the young singer's new stage name, so Guillermina Jiménez became Flor Silvestre, which means 'wild flower'. In 1945, she was announced as the "Alma de la Canción Ranchera" (Soul of the Ranchera Song), and in 1950, the year in which she emerged as a radio star, she was proclaimed the "Reina de la Canción Mexicana" (Queen of Mexican Song). In February 1950, she was a part of the "numerous, hybrid, but useful cast" of '¡A los toros!', a revue about bullfighting staged at the Teatro Tívoli. It was written and presented by announcer Paco Malgesto, who would become her second husband. In the revue, she sang Mexican musical numbers associated with bullfights. Also in 1950, she signed a contract with Columbia Records and recorded her first hits, which include 'Imposible olvidarte', 'Que Dios te perdone', and 'Pobre corazón'. In 1957, she began recording for Musart Records and became one of the label's exclusive artists with numerous best-selling singles, such as 'Cielo rojo', 'Renunciación', and 'Gracias'. Many of her hits charted on Cashbox Mexico's Best Sellers and Record World Latin American Single Hit Parade. She also participated in her husband Antonio Aguilar's musical rodeo shows.
Flor Silvestre made her film debut in 1949 singing in Te besaré en la boca/I will kiss you on the mouth (Fernando Cortés, 1950). In 1950, Flor signed a five-film contract with Gregorio Walerstein, a leading film producer known as "the Tsar of Mexican films" She made her acting debut in his production Primero soy mexicano/First I am Mexican (1950), co-starring Joaquín Pardavé (who also wrote and directed the film) and Luis Aguilar and featuring Francisco "Charro" Avitia. She was reunited with Luis Aguilar and Francisco Avitia in the film El tigre enmascarado/The masked tiger (Zacarías Gómez Urquiza, 1951). She then appeared as the leading lady of actor Dagoberto Rodríguez in a film trilogy, El lobo solitario/The lonely wolf (Vicente Oroná, 1952), La justicia del lobo/Wolf justice (Vicente Oroná, 1952), and Vuelve el lobo/The wolf returns (Vicente Oroná, 1952). Between 1950 and 1990, she appeared in more than seventy films. Beautiful and statuesque, she became one of the leading stars of the 'golden age' of the Mexican film industry. In 1955, she appeared in her first color film, La doncella de piedra/The stone maiden (Miguel M. Delgado, 1956), one of the first Mexican CinemaScope productions. An adaptation of Rómulo Gallegos' novel 'Sobre la misma tierra', the film features Flor Silvestre in the role of Cantaralia Barroso, the mother of the novel's protagonist, Remota Montiel (played by Elsa Aguirre). Silvestre played opposite famous comedians, such as Cantinflas in the Eastmancolor comedy El bolero de Raquel/Raquel's Shoeshiner (Miguel M. Delgado, 1957). She received for the first time top billing in Pueblo en Armas/People in arms (Miguel Contreras Torres, 1959) and its sequel ¡Viva la soldadera!/Long live the female soldiers!(Miguel Contreras Torres, 1960). Director Ismael Rodríguez gave her important roles in the Mexican Revolution epic La cucaracha/The Soldiers of Pancho Villa (Ismael Rodríguez, 1959) opposite María Félix and Dolores del Río, and Ánimas Trujano/The Important Man (Ismael Rodríguez, 1962) with Toshiro Mifune, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won a Golden Globe. In 1960, she starred opposite the popular comedy duo Viruta and Capulina in Dos locos en escena/Two Crazy Ones on the Scene (Agustín P. Delgado, 1960).
In 1973, Flor Silvestre played one of Pancho Villa's lovers in La muerte de Pancho Villa (Mario Hernández, 1973), and played Felipe Carrillo Puerto's wife, Isabel Palma, in Peregrina (Mario Hernández, 1974). She sang 'La palma' in Simón Blanco (Mario Hernández, 1975) and played the female leads in Don Herculano enamorado/Don Herculano in love (Mario Hernández, 1975), El moro de cumpas/The Moor of Cumpas (Mario Hernández, 1977), and Mi caballo el cantador/My horse the singer (Mario Hernández, 1979). She made her final film, Triste recuerdo/Sad memory (Mario Hernández, 1990). She was also the star of the comic book 'La Llanera Vengadora'. In 2013, the Association of Mexican Cinema Journalists honored her with the Special Silver Goddess Award. In 2015, her documentary 'Flor Silvestre: su destino fue querer' premiered at the Guadalajara International Film Festival. The 24-minute documentary features interviews with Flor Silvestre, who recounts her life and career; her five children, Dalia, Francisco, Marcela, Antonio, and Pepe; and singers Angélica María and Guadalupe Pineda. Flor Silvestre married her first husband, Andrés Nieto, in the 1940s. She gave birth to her first child, singer and dancer Dalia Inés Nieto, when she was 16 years old. Around 1953, Flor Silvestre married radio announcer and bullfighting chronicler Francisco Rubiales Calvo "Paco Malgesto", who would later become a famous presenter and pioneer of Mexican television. They had two children, translator Francisco Rubiales and singer and actress Marcela Rubiales. They lived in a house in Mexico City's Lindavista neighborhood. The couple separated and began divorce proceedings in 1958. Flor Silvestre's third and last husband was singer and actor Antonio Aguilar, who died in 2007. He was the love of her life. Their relationship began when they made the film El rayo de Sinaloa in 1957. They married in 1959 (or 1960, according to some sources) and had two sons who also became singers and actors, Antonio "Toño" Aguilar and José "Pepe" Aguilar. Aguilar built her a spacious home and ranch, El Soyate, northeast of Tayahua, Zacatecas. Flor Silvestre died on 25 November 2020 at her home in Villanueva, Zacatecas. She was 90.
Sources: Wikipedia and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.
... Ça m'embête toujours de présenter des sujets dont je ne connais pas le nom... Mais ceci n'enlève pas la beauté.... Dans les sous-bois, il y a une infinité de plantes indigènes... Celle-ci, une fois sèche et totalement démunie de ses fleurs et feuilles... ses graines sont tombées au sol pour repartir de plus belle la saison prochaine... et elle, devient comme un ... squelette... Mais quelle beauté ...
* Photo prise, lors d'une balade en forêt...
__________
" Autumnal beauty " .. It always annoys me to present subjects whose name I do not know ... But it doesn't take its beauty .... In the forest there is an infinity of native plants. .. This one once dry and totally destitute of flowers and leaves ... her seeds fell to the ground to leave more beautiful next season ... and she, becomes like a ... skeleton ... But what a beauty. .
* Photo taken during a walk in the forest ...
__________
Part of the 52 Weeks of 2018
Week 25
Theme: Environmental portrait
The aim of an environmental portrait is to show the subject in a wider setting to add context to the story.
Since I was going to be busy most of the week with my day job, I decided to ask a colleague to be my subject.
This is Danny Cox, radio presenter for BBC World Service and BBC Oxford (among others) and he was more than happy to be my subject. I captured him here in his natural habitat, the radio studio, but I also did a few shots outside for a little variation (see comments).
Thanks Danny.
Follow Me:
Instagram || Facebook || 500px || Website
(c) Alistair Beavis 2018
IMG_6260a
Narroways Junction. A presenter DMU on the actual junction, turning onto the single track to Seven Beach, calling at Montpelier next. #railway #Narroways #junction #train
4 Likes on Instagram
There was presumably a bridge in this location already before the Dissolution, giving access to the Augustinian priory of Beddgelert from the northern side of the river. By 1623 the bridge was recorded as being in need of repair and was repaired and widened again in 1778. Much of the bridge appears to have been swept away in a flood of 1799 and was again repaired and doubled in width between 1802 and 1811. In the latter year a toll was established on the bridge for the turnpike road. Further repairs were carried out c1890 and in 1906.
Triple-arched rubble road bridge, doubled in width on the downstream side; set on a cobbled plinth-raft, projecting beyond the bridge proper on both up- and downstream sides. Rough-dressed voussoirs to segmental arches, with narrow stones forming projecting arch-rings. The central arch is the largest, with a slightly smaller N arch and a small flood-arch to the S. The carriageway is gently humped to the centre and on each side is a refuge contained within a triangular cutwater. Long slatestone capping stones to rubble parapets, splayed at the approaches. On the inner downstream splay at the N end are inset milestones of incised slate, probably late C19 or early C20. That on the L is inscribed: 'To Penygwryd 7; to Llanberis 13, to Capel Curig ..[indistinct]'. That to the R is inscribed: 'To Portmadoc Miles 7 1/2.
On the N side of the bridge the splayed parapets continue beyond the approaches as low rubble walls; these run parallel with the river on both sides with rough coping stones and extend for approximately 100m, with an average road-side height of 0.60m and a reveted river-side height of approximately 3m. In the angle with the bridge on the downstream side is a squinch. The downstream S side also adjoins a (rebuilt) rubble wall, which extends for a similar distance at an average height of 1m.
Afon Glaslyn (Welsh for 'River Glaslyn') is a river in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. While not of great significance in terms of its length (about 16 miles (26 km)), it is one of Gwynedd's primary rivers, and has greatly influenced the landscape in which it flows.
It has its source in Glaslyn, a cirque lake on the flanks of Snowdon. It is joined by Nant Traswnant which drains Pen-y-Pass and by Nant Cynnyd before entering the beautiful lake, Llyn Gwynant. The river then flows through Llyn Dinas before entering the village of Beddgelert. In the middle of the village it is joined by the substantial tributary, the River Colwyn which drains the south-western flank of Snowdon. The much enlarged river flows down past Gelert's grave before tumbling down into the Aberglaslyn Pass. This is a small rocky gorge close to the main road which provides easy public access to a most picturesque piece of Snowdonian scenery.
Passing through Pont Aberglaslyn, the river emerges from the gorge into the relatively flat agricultural land of Tremadog and Porthmadog. This wide flat valley – now called Traeth Mawr – was once the estuary of the Glaslyn before the Porthmadog Cob was created. This sealed off the mouth of the estuary, enabling the land to be reclaimed. Once the river has crossed under the railway line, it meanders in large pools and marshes before eventually passing through the tidal sluices on the Cob at the south-eastern end of the town of Porthmadog, and from there into Tremadog Bay. Further south, the River Dwyryd also drains into Tremadog Bay.
The first pair of breeding ospreys in Wales nest at Pont Croesor about 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream from Porthmadog where the RSPB have set up observation facilities. They first bred in 2005 and have returned every year since.
Fishing on the Glaslyn up to Beddgelert is controlled by the Glaslyn Angling Association.
Beddgelert is a village and community in the Snowdonia area of Gwynedd, Wales. The population of the community taken at the 2011 census was 455, and includes Nantmor and Nant Gwynant. It is reputed to be named after the legendary hound Gelert. The community is large and sparsely populated and covers 86 square kilometres.
The village stands in a valley at the confluence of the River Glaslyn and the River Colwyn. Just above the confluence of the rivers, in the centre of the village, is an old stone bridge with two arches. The River Gwynant also exists in the area, coinciding with the River Colwyn under what locals know as ‘Pont Bren’, creating the River Glaslyn. Many of the houses and hotels are built of local dark stone. To the west is Moel Hebog and its neighbours to the north and a series of hills rising to the top of Snowdon. A lane of the A4085 between Caernarfon (13 miles north) and Porthmadog (8 miles south) runs through the village.
The outdoor equipment company Gelert originated in Bryncir then moved to Beddgelert but later moved its headquarters to nearby Porthmadog.
The folk tale of the faithful hound "Gelert" is often associated with the village. A raised mound in the village is called "Gelert's Grave" and is a significant tourist attraction. But the grave was built by the late 18th-century landlord of the Goat Hotel, David Pritchard, who created it in order to encourage tourism. Similar legends can be found in other parts of Europe and Asia.
The village is probably named after an early Christian missionary and leader called Celert (or Cilert) who settled here early in the 8th century. The earliest record of the name Beddgelert appears on a document dated 1258, and the name recorded is "Bekelert". In a document of 1269 it is recorded as "Bedkelerd".
The Church of St. Mary stands at the end of Stryd yr Eglwys (Church Street). This was originally a part of an Augustinian Monastery (the chapel), but is all that remains since the rest of the monastery was burnt down during Edward I's war of conquest. Rebuilding was probably not completed at the time of the suppression of the monastery in about 1536. Parts of the building date from the 12th century and is still in active use today.
Beddgelert is a significant tourist attraction, its picturesque bridge crossing the River Colwyn just upstream of its confluence with the River Glaslyn. It is also the nearest village to the scenic Glaslyn gorge, an area of tumultuous river running between steep wooded hills. Much of the area is, however, becoming invaded by the alien plant, Rhododendron ponticum which provides a covering of pink blossom in May and June, but which is slowly blanketing out the native flora. Attempts have been made to control its spread by cutting and burning.
River levels on the River Glaslyn in Beddgelert are constantly monitored by the Natural Resources Wales, in order to give advance warning of flood conditions lower down the valley.
Beddgelert has a range of hotels with public bars, guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants. The car park in the village provides the easiest access route for climbing Moel Hebog, the mountain which directly overlooks the village.
Part of the restored Welsh Highland Railway runs through the village. In April 2009 the railway station was reopened to the public. The line links the village with Caernarfon to the north and Porthmadog to the south.
Other local attractions include the Sygun Copper Mine.
The village is also linked with the Rupert Bear stories, as Alfred Bestall wrote and illustrated some of the stories whilst he lived in the village, in a cottage at the foot of Mynydd Sygun.[8] There is even a small area known as ‘Rupert Garden’ in the village, dedicated to the Bear; a short walk from Alfred Bestall's old home.
Many films have made use of the scenery around Beddgelert; most notably The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman. Other more modern films such as Tomb Raider 2: Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life have also been filmed here; starring Angelina Jolie.
Gwynedd is a county in the north-west of Wales. It borders Anglesey across the Menai Strait to the north, Conwy, Denbighshire, and Powys to the east, Ceredigion over the Dyfi estuary to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. The city of Bangor is the largest settlement, and the administrative centre is Caernarfon. The preserved county of Gwynedd, which is used for ceremonial purposes, includes the Isle of Anglesey.
Gwynedd is the second largest county in Wales but sparsely populated, with an area of 979 square miles (2,540 km2) and a population of 117,400. After Bangor (18,322), the largest settlements are Caernarfon (9,852), Bethesda (4,735), and Pwllheli (4,076). The county has the highest percentage of Welsh speakers in Wales, at 64.4%, and is considered a heartland of the language.
The geography of Gwynedd is mountainous, with a long coastline to the west. Much of the county is covered by Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), which contains Wales's highest mountain, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa; 3,560 feet, 1,090 m). To the west, the Llŷn Peninsula is flatter and renowned for its scenic coastline, part of which is protected by the Llŷn AONB. Gwynedd also contains several of Wales's largest lakes and reservoirs, including the largest, Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid).
The area which is now the county has played a prominent part in the history of Wales. It formed part of the core of the Kingdom of Gwynedd and the native Principality of Wales, which under the House of Aberffraw remained independent from the Kingdom of England until Edward I's conquest between 1277 and 1283. Edward built the castles at Caernarfon and Harlech, which form part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site. During the Industrial Revolution the slate industry rapidly developed; in the late nineteenth century the neighbouring Penrhyn and Dinorwic quarries were the largest in the world, and the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales is now a World Heritage Site. Gwynedd covers the majority of the historic counties of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire.
In the past, historians such as J. E. Lloyd assumed that the Celtic source of the word Gwynedd meant 'collection of tribes' – the same root as the Irish fine, meaning 'tribe'. Further, a connection is recognised between the name and the Irish Féni, an early ethnonym for the Irish themselves, related to fían, 'company of hunting and fighting men, company of warriors under a leader'. Perhaps *u̯en-, u̯enə ('strive, hope, wish') is the Indo-European stem. The Irish settled in NW Wales, and in Dyfed, at the end of the Roman era. Venedotia was the Latin form, and in Penmachno there is a memorial stone from c. AD 500 which reads: Cantiori Hic Iacit Venedotis ('Here lies Cantiorix, citizen of Gwynedd'). The name was retained by the Brythons when the kingdom of Gwynedd was formed in the 5th century, and it remained until the invasion of Edward I. This historical name was revived when the new county was formed in 1974.
Gwynedd was an independent kingdom from the end of the Roman period until the 13th century, when it was conquered by England. The modern Gwynedd was one of eight Welsh counties created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It covered the entirety of the historic counties of Anglesey and Caernarfonshire, and all of Merionethshire apart from Edeirnion Rural District (which went to Clwyd); and also a few parishes of Denbighshire: Llanrwst, Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, Eglwysbach, Llanddoged, Llanrwst and Tir Ifan.
The county was divided into five districts: Aberconwy, Arfon, Dwyfor, Meirionnydd and Anglesey.
The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 abolished the 1974 county (and the five districts) on 1 April 1996, and its area was divided: the Isle of Anglesey became an independent unitary authority, and Aberconwy (which included the former Denbighshire parishes) passed to the new Conwy County Borough. The remainder of the county was constituted as a principal area, with the name Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire, as it covers most of the areas of those two historic counties. As one of its first actions, the Council renamed itself Gwynedd on 2 April 1996. The present Gwynedd local government area is governed by Gwynedd Council. As a unitary authority, the modern entity no longer has any districts, but Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd remain as area committees.
The pre-1996 boundaries were retained as a preserved county for a few purposes such as the Lieutenancy. In 2003, the boundary with Clwyd was adjusted to match the modern local government boundary, so that the preserved county now covers the two local government areas of Gwynedd and Anglesey. Conwy county borough is now entirely within Clwyd.
A Gwynedd Constabulary was formed in 1950 by the merger of the Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire forces. A further amalgamation took place in the 1960s when Gwynedd Constabulary was merged with the Flintshire and Denbighshire county forces, retaining the name Gwynedd. In one proposal for local government reform in Wales, Gwynedd had been proposed as a name for a local authority covering all of north Wales, but the scheme as enacted divided this area between Gwynedd and Clwyd. To prevent confusion, the Gwynedd Constabulary was therefore renamed the North Wales Police.
The Snowdonia National Park was formed in 1951. After the 1974 local authority reorganisation, the park fell entirely within the boundaries of Gwynedd, and was run as a department of Gwynedd County Council. After the 1996 local government reorganisation, part of the park fell under Conwy County Borough, and the park's administration separated from the Gwynedd council. Gwynedd Council still appoints nine of the eighteen members of the Snowdonia National Park Authority; Conwy County Borough Council appoints three; and the Welsh Government appoints the remaining six.
There has been considerable inwards migration to Gwynedd, particularly from England. According to the 2021 census, 66.6% of residents had been born in Wales whilst 27.1% were born in England.
The county has a mixed economy. An important part of the economy is based on tourism: many visitors are attracted by the many beaches and the mountains. A significant part of the county lies within the Snowdonia National Park, which extends from the north coast down to the district of Meirionnydd in the south. But tourism provides seasonal employment and thus there is a shortage of jobs in the winter.
Agriculture is less important than in the past, especially in terms of the number of people who earn their living on the land, but it remains an important element of the economy.
The most important of the traditional industries is the slate industry, but these days only a small percentage of workers earn their living in the slate quarries.
Industries which have developed more recently include TV and sound studios: the record company Sain has its HQ in the county.
The education sector is also very important for the local economy, including Bangor University and Further Education colleges, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Menai, both now part of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
The proportion of respondents in the 2011 census who said they could speak Welsh.
Gwynedd has the highest proportion of people in Wales who can speak Welsh. According to the 2021 census, 64.4% of the population aged three and over stated that they could speak Welsh,[7] while 64.4% noted that they could speak Welsh in the 2011 census.
It is estimated that 83% of the county's Welsh-speakers are fluent, the highest percentage of all counties in Wales.[9] The age group with the highest proportion of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd were those between ages 5–15, of whom 92.3% stated that they could speak Welsh in 2011.
The proportion of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd declined between 1991 and 2001,[10] from 72.1% to 68.7%, even though the proportion of Welsh speakers in Wales as a whole increased during that decade to 20.5%.
The Annual Population Survey estimated that as of March 2023, 77.0% of those in Gwynedd aged three years and above could speak Welsh.
Notable people
Leslie Bonnet (1902–1985), RAF officer, writer; originated the Welsh Harlequin duck in Criccieth
Sir Dave Brailsford (born 1964), cycling coach; grew up in Deiniolen, near Caernarfon
Duffy (born 1984), singer, songwriter and actress; born in Bangor, Gwynedd
Edward II of England (1284–1327), born in Caernarfon Castle
Elin Fflur (born 1984), singer-songwriter, TV and radio presenter; went to Bangor University
Bryn Fôn (born 1954), actor and singer-songwriter; born in Llanllyfni, Caernarfonshire.
Wayne Hennessey (born 1987), football goalkeeper with 108 caps for Wales; born in Bangor, Gwynedd
John Jones (c. 1530 – 1598), a Franciscan friar, Roman Catholic priest and martyr; born at Clynnog
Sir Love Jones-Parry, 1st Baronet (1832–1891), landowner and politician, co-founder of the Y Wladfa settlement in Patagonia
T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935), archaeologist, army officer and inspiration for Lawrence of Arabia, born in Tremadog
David Lloyd George (1863–1945), statesman and Prime Minister; lived in Llanystumdwy from infancy
Sasha (born 1969), disc jockey, born in Bangor, Gwynedd
Sir Bryn Terfel (born 1965), bass-baritone opera and concert singer from Pant Glas
Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883–1978), architect of Portmeirion
Owain Fôn Williams, (born 1987), footballer with 443 club caps; born and raised in Penygroes, Gwynedd.
Hedd Wyn (1887–1917), poet from the village of Trawsfynydd; killed in WWI
As a transvestite I enjoy looking at female clothing styles, make-up techniques, hairstyles and women’s shoes. I am influenced by women who are dressed more formally in suits, tailored shirts, elegant court shoes and wear make-up more formally for their work. One such look I love is the television presenter, they always wear full make-up, have their hair styled nicely and wear elegant stylish clothing.
As I’m a man that enjoys dressing up as a woman I simply cannot resist attempting to create the appearance of such a woman. I am aware we all have our own motivations for cross-dressing. My own approach being I seek to try and pass convincingly as I can, I fail in my aspiration but I endeavour to do my best. My ambition is to be seen as female and nobody is aware I am really a man, what a thrill that would be!
I am guilty of posting a variation on this picture a few months ago but I saw it again this week and this version is a closer portrait shot. I believe that trying to look female facially is the biggest challenge we face as transvestites. It is relatively easy to get the body shape as one can employ techniques such as shaving legs, wearing breast forms and hip shapers and choosing dresses, skirts and heels that are very feminine and flattering. The face though...well, we are stuck with what we have so what can be done?
As a man I have a very dark beard shadow and my normal eyebrow shape is thick and bushy with no real shape at all. For the last ten years I have been plucking my eyebrows to be more shaped and defined and reduce the density of the number of the hairs. Nobody appears to have noticed this. In fact people I’ve not seen for a long time often say I’m somehow looking a bit younger. Never underestimate how much effect a nicely shaped eyebrow can have. I don’t like super thin eyebrows and feel a nice tidy shape is better. My current eyebrow plucking seems to work okay in both male and female modes. I may have them defined a bit more if I’m going to record a video as Helene or planning a photo-shoot.
My method for disguising the fact I’ve plucked a bit neater than usual is I let my beard grow for a few days then I pluck my eyebrows or have them waxed into a neater shape at a salon then I shave off the beard. People just assume I look tidier after the scruffy beard stubble.
I require a lot of foundation make-up to cover my beard shadow as even after an ultra close facial shave the dark shadow is present. I don’t mind wearing heavier make-up as I enjoy make-up and like the effect it has upon my confidence, I feel good and better in make-up. I have a weak looking face for a man which helps my efforts to look like a woman as I have no strong facial features and a weak looking chin. This suits me and I am grateful I’m not very masculine.
The secret to getting make-up to work is placing it wear it works. This maybe to bring out an aspect or to reduce an area so it is less noticeable. Too many people, including many real women, just put make up on without ever considering how to use it to enhance ones features. Transvestites love to put on make-up that often is too much as it all at one level leaving the features one has that would look at their best to be hidden in this dominant all over make-up approach.
One should ensure the whole face looks nice and even and softer so much effort needs to be put into applying foundation properly to achieve this. Once the foundation is complete and looks soft and smooth one should aim to enhance their best feature not go mad and try and enhance everything. In my case I have no real cheekbones to make use of, my lips are not nice being very thin and my top lip virtually non existent. For me I was left with only one facial feature I could make use of and this was my eyes. My eyes are not very nice either so I use make-up to try and rectify that and add a bit more a feminine eye shape.
A common mistake is to put eye-liner right around the whole eye. An effect on most people (Male and female) it makes their eye look smaller. The aim is to open up the eyes and make them more feminine. To this end one needs to lift the eye. As our eyes are set in position an illusion of the lift and feminine shape can be added by making the upper eye and lashes stand out more. In this picture because I don’t have feminine eyelashes I am wearing false eyelashes on my upper eye. To finish the upper eye look I have eye-liner drawn from the inner upper corner out to the edge of my eye. I have also used brown shades of eye-shadow with a lighter brown in the arch of my eyebrow to make it stand out more. I also lightly pencilled my eyebrows to give them more definition.
On my lower eye I have eye-liner drawn on from the outer edge but only two thirds of the away across. the line should be thicker at the outer edge and get very thin at the end. The effect is a more feminine, more open eye that looks softer.
As my lips are not attractive they are played down against the eyes. Soft pink lipstick with lip gloss gives them a presence but helps my eyes stand out more. A bit of softly applied blusher on my undefined cheeks adds a bit of colour and healthiness to my face.
To maintain the look I am aware that shorter wigs look better on my facial shape and so produce a result that is more convincing. I like contemporary short female hair style with the hair not just flat as the wig typically is straight out of the box. This short wig was back combed and fluffed up to add more volume and that contemporary feel. It was the liberally sprayed with hair spray to maintain its shape.
I do not have pierced ears so I chose clip on hoop ear rings which can look quite convincing but be aware, they fall off easily if your hand or hair brush catches them
To completely get into the character I was portraying I chose a fitted trouser suit. This required a genital tuck as the fit was tight, and I wore a bra in which I placed my breast forms. I thin wore a plain fitted lycra t-shirt and donned the suit jacket. I chose a pair of burgundy stiletto pointed court shoes with 4 inch heels and as a final flourish painted my nails with pink nail varnish and dabbed on some perfume.
I was finally Helene the woman! I was now ready to walk on set and do my interview.
I have no real idea if I succeeded in my efforts to create the female look, I put my all into it but when one is a middle aged bald man with a dark beard shadow one cannot quite disguise all of this. It is a delight and real thrill to be a man and dare to attempt becoming a woman. I really enjoyed filming the interview. The interview with with another T-girl and was posted on You Tube for awhile but unfortunately it had to be removed due to a change in her circumstances. It’s not always easy being a transvestite but it certainly is an amazing experience and feels fantastic.