Andy’s Thought Dump

By a proud Merthyr boy with big hopes for his hometown.   Merthyr Tydfil has always been a place of strength, resilience, and community spirit. We’re a town built on coal and steel, fire and grit, and while times have changed, our passion for a better future has never faded. That’s why I, like many others, am incredibly excited about the proposed Rhydycar West project – a game - changing development that could transform not just Merthyr, but bring benefits to the whole of Wales. For too long, Merthyr has been overlooked, underfunded, and underestimated. We’ve weathered closures, job losses, and reputational knockbacks – but we’ve never lost that fierce pride. Projects like Rhydycar West give us the hope and ambition we’ve been crying out for. It’s time we had a big win. And this, in my opinion, is it.  What Is Rhydycar West. ?  If you haven’t heard yet – and you really should have – the Rhydycar West development is a massive £300 million proposal that includes: An indoo...

Hey everyone, First off, I just want to say a heartfelt sorry for the quiet spell on here lately. I know it’s been a while since my last post, and if you’ve been checking in and wondering where I’ve gone – thank you for your patience. Truth is, my health’s taken a bit of a dive. My illnesses have really hit me for six, and I’ve been focusing on just getting through the days. It’s been rough, both physically and mentally, and I’ve had to press pause on most things – including writing. I didn’t want to disappear without saying anything, but it’s taken me some time to get the energy (and headspace) to sit and type this out. I miss being here, sharing things with you all, and having that little corner of connection. I’m still not 100%, but I’m slowly finding my way back. Thanks again for sticking with me – it means more than I can say. I’ll be back with more posts soon, and I’ve got plenty I want to share when I can. Take care of yourselves and each other. Andy

Standing Up for Children While the World Looks the Other Way. In 2022, Zoe and I opened our home to my two children after they were formally removed from their birth mother’s care by social services. For legal reasons, I must be clear: this post does not allege criminal guilt. Any names referenced are used only where public documentation exists or where individuals have already self-identified publicly in connection to this situation. Certain details have been withheld due to ongoing investigations. That said, facts matter. The local authority removed the children from a home environment deemed unsafe. The birth mother acknowledged concerns in meetings with social services. While the police investigation is ongoing, no formal charges have yet been brought to our knowledge - but we continue to fully cooperate, and we sincerely hope action is taken to protect all children involved. Zoe and I stepped up - not because we had to, but because it was the right thing to do. We’ve taken the...

I don’t watch the news anymore. It's mostly noise - full of shouting, bias, and propaganda. You rarely get truth, just angles. Instead, I watch live streams. Real-time footage . I’ve seen buildings crumble, people scream, lives lost - not through headlines, but through the raw lens of someone’s phone camera as missiles fall from the sky. And every time, I ask myself the same question: Why are we still doing this? Why, in 2025, are we still spilling blood over a piece of land, a line on a map, a flag, a grudge? How are we still this broken ? It honestly crushes me. Innocent people are dying  - kids, parents, families who never wanted to be part of any war. People whose only “crime” was being born in the wrong place at the wrong time. They're not soldiers. They're humans. It feels like brains are lacking. With all the intelligence we claim to have, why haven’t we evolved past this? W e have artificial intelligence, quantum computers , the ability to look billions of lig...

Before anyone groans and says “FFS not another Barry Island idea”  - yes. Yes it is. Because once again, I’ve had a thought (dangerous, I know), and this one’s got potential to bring in a crowd the size of a Pokémon Go launch day. Minecraft. That’s right. The blocky little game that somehow conquered the world. I don’t get it. I’ve tried. To me, it’s just squares. Endless squares. Punching trees, building odd houses, being chased by green things that hiss. Makes no sense. But I’ll tell you who does get it - my two boys. One is 10, the other is 19, and they both absolutely love it. Same game, same joy, nearly a decade apart. That’s not just a phase, that’s a phenomenon. And yet - I’ve never seen a Minecraft Festival or Convention . Not in Wales, not in the UK, not anywhere really (and if they exist, they’re hidden better than diamonds in the Nether -or I havent looked properly). So why not hold one right there on Barry Island? Think about it: They have got the space. Serio...

Let’s talk about The Mountain Air in Tredegar. If you know, you know. And if you don’t know – well, let me paint you a picture, because this isn’t just a pub or a restaurant to me, it’s an experience. A damn good one. From the moment you walk through the doors, there’s something about the place that just feels right . It’s got that perfect blend of cosy and welcoming – you’re greeted with smiles, warm lighting, and the scent of something absolutely mouthwatering drifting out of the kitchen. I’ve been to plenty of pubs in South Wales and beyond, but I keep coming back to The Mountain Air for one simple reason: it’s the best. Hands down. The atmosphere ? Spot on. It’s buzzing without being too loud, chilled without being dead, and friendly without feeling forced. You can go in on your own and feel at ease, or go in with a group and feel right at home. The staff ? Absolutely fantastic. Every single time we’ve visited – and trust me, it’s not just once or twice – we’ve been looked aft...

I’m going to say something that most of us living it already know: being ill or disabled in this country feels like a crime. And the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)? They’re not just the judge - they’re the jury, the executioner, and the smug bloke behind the glass watching you squirm. It’s like being stuck in a game show, only the prize is humiliation and a migraine. I’m on PIP. Not because I want to be - believe me, I’d give anything to not need it - but because I have to be. My list of conditions isn’t just a checklist, it’s my reality: Fibromyalgia (yeah, go on, scoff  -  now try living with it), FND, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Severe sleep aponea, Chronic Fatigue and C-PTSD. Each one brings its own lovely brand of chaos and pain, and every day’s a challenge just to keep functioning. And yet, despite that, it’s people like me who are treated like con artists. The DWP treat us with suspicion, like we’re all auditioning for some Oscar-winning disability a...