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The creator of Wye Local is Lisa Marie, then in 2008 Clare came aboard! Due to their work and family life they both meet some fantastic individuals, attend local events and have their ear to the ground on community projects . . . all of which they want to share! So introductions first: "My name is Lisa Marie Badham (yes that's right, my parents were big Elvis fans). I'm 26 years old, born and bred in this area – 100% Welsh. I attended Talgarth Primary School and then went on to Gwernyfed High School. When growing up I wanted to be a farmer, however I now produce the Wye Local community magazine, which I started in November 2006 and due to its success, I decided to launch this website to compliment the magazine and to fill the gap by appealing to potential visitors, not just us locals. I also run a graphic design company called Pink Sheep Design and a sister publication (to the Wye Local) called the Local Beacon.
A couple of years ago I married Colan, also an ex pupil of Gwernyfed, just several, several years older! Colan has a very adorable but cheeky son called James who is currently 5 years old, he's the spit of his dad in looks and in character. Our family life is very important to us, although we both work long hours we feel it important to make time for our family – plus which both Colan and I are big kids at heart so we don't need an excuse to have fun with James, the Badham favourite is to go on a bear hunt (I dread the day when James realises the only bears in Wales are those in Zoos!).
Hay-on-Wye, Talgarth and the surrounding villages are not only beautiful but there is a really community feel about the place – a joy for any family, couple or individual to live within." Now over to Clare . . . "Hello everyone. My name is Clare Williams. I was born into a Herefordshire farming family. Both my father’s and mother’s families farmed near Ross on Wye, and when I was about six, we moved to Moreton Jeffries. I was a ‘Cotton’ before marrying Robert in 1978. I’ve got a twin sister, Sally, a Herefordshire farmer’s wife, and two brothers Chris and Julian, both involved with farming in Herefordshire. I suppose I was the metaphoric ‘black sheep’ of the family, moving away from Herefordshire when I was quite young. I met Robert while we were both working in racing in Lambourn, Berkshire. I was secretary to Antony Johnson, a trainer in Upper Lambourn and Robert was Assistant Trainer to Barry Hills, probably the most successful trainer on the Flat that Lambourn has ever seen.
We moved to Sackville House Stables in Newmarket just before Christmas 1980 to set up training racehorses on our own. Luckily we did quite well in those early days, which forced us to move to a larger yard, Marriott Stables on Hamilton Road a few years later. From there we trained quite a few Listed and Group winners, including Mister Majestic in the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in 1986. What a thrill that was!
We have two daughters, Hannah and Emily, who are now in their twenties. Makes me feel really old sometimes!
We retired from training racehorses at the end of the last century (1999) and moved back to dear old Herefordshire in 2006. I do miss Newmarket occasionally, but I get back there from time to time to photograph the odd wedding or party, racehorses for the Timeform ‘Racehorses’ Annual and to visit old friends. My photographic career ‘took off’ in the early 1990s. I’m fortunate to have two jobs which I love. A freelance photographer and working for Lisa Marie’s Wye Local Magazine.
Hay-on-Wye is a wonderful place to live and to be involved with, and I am looking forward to sharing news and views with you all on the Wye Blog."
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Monday, 01 February 2010 18:26 |
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A belated Happy New Year to you all! Apologies for neglecting the Wye Local Blog, my time has been spent starting up a sister publication called the Local Beacon. In September 2009 issue 1 was launched, since then I have had many late nights, lots of horrid days cold calling and most weekends have been spent in the office! But I am not complaining, the total opposite in fact. The Local Beacon has proved to be a big hit in Brecon (or Aberhonddu as the Welsh speaking say!) area; new businesses are contacting me each month; advertisers are receiving a great response; and the readers love it! Thank you to everyone for their support, especially Co my husband. During this month, we will be making some changes to this site, details are to follow. Also in February the Badham family will be sharing some exciting news . . . watch this space! Lisa Marie x |
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Saturday, 26 September 2009 10:11 |
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Well folkes, tomorrow (Sunday 27th September) is the final Wye Local Car Boot for 2009! And thankfully the weather forecast looks fine and dandy . . . come along and grab a bargain. |
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Kayaking on the River Wye |
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Friday, 21 August 2009 10:39 |
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Yesterday, my daughter Hannah and I hired a kayak each from Wye Valley Canoes at Glasbury. We had been talking about kayaking down the River Wye ever since Hannah broke up from school for the summer holidays. She teaches Year 4 children at a Primary School in Newcastle upon Tyne.We had wanted to go on the Wednesday, but Wye Valley Canoes were booked up for that day so we decided to go on the Thursday instead. Shame, because the weather on the Wednesday was glorious. Yesterday, the day we went, it was cloudy and windy. At least the morning’s rain held off!I had a nice bright orange kayak. Hannah had a bright green one. Hers was of the more sporty type, where you can turn circles and play games, etc. Reuben got us sorted and off we paddled …Five minutes later we stopped to take photos of some swans and cygnets. The camera was in a drum in Hannah’s kayak. She got some great photos. Unfortunately, after that her kayak got grounded on the river bed and then after that it capsized. She lost one of her flip flops and then had trouble getting the kayak sorted again wearing only one shoe. I wasn’t much help because the strong current started taking me down the river. I have kayaked before, but it was years ago! Anyway, I soon got the hang of it. Hannah caught me up and we had a lovely time paddling down the River Wye from Glasbury to Hay. Well, I did. Hannah didn’t get all of the water out of her canoe after it capsized and it was wandering around as if it had a mind of its own. She was getting pretty tired …We saw quite a few swans and cygnets during our meander. They are so graceful … About two hours after setting off we reached an area which is known as The Warren. There is a weir at The Warren and had we stayed to the right side of the river we would have been fine. Actually Hannah aimed for the left side of the weir and apart from a little bit of grounding, got through it fine. I aimed for the middle and got well and truly stuck. There were two men and a woman wearing swimming gear on the bank, and they kindly came in and helped me manoeuvre the kayak so that I could get over the weir without getting grounded again. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Thank you friends, if you are reading this!! Then, just the other side of the weir we stopped to phone Wye Valley Canoes, as requested. Sam came and collected us and the kayaks from the shore near the bridge at Hay and delivered us back to Glasbury.Quite an enjoyable, albeit rather eventful afternoon I thought, and we are looking forward to another paddle down the river … oh, and if you are on the River Wye and see a pink flip flop, please let us know at Wye Local! |
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Hay's definitely got talent! |
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Wednesday, 29 July 2009 09:17 |
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On Saturday we made arrangements to take my mother-in-law (Mumsey as I normally call her) out for tea later that evening. Our first port of call was the Globe where the contest Hay's Got Talent was being held. It was packed to the brim with children, mums, dads, grandparents, friends . . . those wanting to preform and those wanting to support the performers. On arrival there was a young boy from Dorstone playing the keyboard – what a talented young lad, more than worthy of the 1st prize, £50 cash. One judge commented on how the keyboard he was using didn't do his music justice, he then went on to offer him a piano of his own he no longer uses – wow what a generous offer. Next up was Chrissie Maddy (used to be Keylock) from Hay, she had put together a poem entitled 'The Men of Hay'. Very, very funny indeed, although I did feel a couple of men in the room were not too impressed with some of the statements! Another young lad was to take the stage, to sing 'O Danny Boy'. His name was Tom, son of Peter and Sheila Lewis from the Mill Station, Three Cocks. He sang unaccompanied (with no music to guide him), his voice was very gentle and what confidence to sing in front of all of us. Tom then went on to show us his second act, the hacker! Peter started him off with a shout, Tom burst into a completely different young boy! Looking at the faces around, it was a shock for most watching. Tom put every bit of effort into this act, he was scary, confident and just wonderful to watch. Two very different acts, but both great entertainment. Tom has a bright future ahead of him, whether it will be on the rugby field or as a performer on stage. Next up was Siaska, Laurie and Marcia Jones' daughter from Hay chemist. She played the guitar whilst singing along. Her voice was beautiful, her ability to play the guitar whilst singing just baffles me, what a talent. A huge round of applause was given, then one judge asked Siaska to sing something else. This time it was a song she had written herself, again - mindblowing. Siaska appeared to be a little nervous on stage, of course she had every reason to be, you wouldn't catch me up there stone cold sober with room full of people looking at me! After hearing her second song, the judges were even more convinced that she has a bright future ahead of her. They too loved her voice, thought that her writting music herself was also fantastic. So watch this space people of Hay, Siaska could be the next big thing in music! Unfortunately, at this point we had to leave as we had a table booked at The Blue Boar. The food was divine, but then it always is here. Later in the evening we were informed that Siaska had won the £50 cash prize – what great news to end the evening.
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Saturday, 04 July 2009 11:58 |
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My daughter Emily is mad about sport. Whilst reading the July issue of Wye Local she noticed that the Tennis Club was having a Club Night at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday. She asked me if I would go with her, so I reluctantly agreed. I play tennis about once a year, am not very good at it and am quite unfit. At least she lent me her 2nd tennis racket. Much better than mine, which is rather heavy, and hidden somewhere in the back of the garage! Emily is a good player. She plays for St Andrews University Seconds team. We turned up at 6.30 p.m. and introduced ourselves to Linda Price who is the Tennis Club monitor for this week. We also met a lovely girl called Karen and the father and son duo of Gordon and Tom. Four young men were occupying one of the other courts. Emily and I had a game with Gordon and Tom whilst Linda and Karen played a game. Emily, Gordon and Tom were quite good. I played a few good shots but they were very few and far between! After the game with Gordon and Tom, Emily and I played Karen and Linda. I would much rather play with women than men, if you know what I mean!I actually quite enjoyed our tennis and will probably go again on Sunday morning. Courts are open from 11.00 a.m. It’s a great way to exercise – and I really need to lose weight! Just as we were saying goodbye to the other players, I felt a £20 note in my shorts pocket. Don’t you just love it when that happens! That cheered me up a lot, as earlier in the day I had got a £60 fine and three points on my licence for speeding by those lovely boys in blue in Ledbury. They sneakily changed the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph! Hay Tennis Club is looking for more members, so come along, either on a Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. or on a Sunday at 11.00 a.m. Or both even. It’s actually great fun! Clare |
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