Ain't Seen Ruthin Yet

Not as good as "Newport" but this is another great parody.  I was actually brought up in this part of North Wales - not that far from Ruthin.  My parents even thought about buying a pub in Ruthin and for a little while I had one of the best job in Britain for a 18 year old.  My girlfriend and I had to check out and report back on all the possible competition in the other pubs in Ruthin.  Great stuff.  They didn't go ahead and buy or lease anything but I "enjoyed" the research at the time.

Newport, Newport, Newport

and why not :)

Newport and Debden Boxing Day Walk 2010

Another great country walk.  The snow, ice and light was fantastic.  Only 6.5 miles but absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. 40 minutes away by car from Newham.  It is even relatively hilly - for Essex.   Only fell over (spectacularly of course) once due to ice.  Lots of crunchy snow for most of the route.  Check out Pathfinder Essex Guide (Walk 20).  The last time we did this walk was only 2 days after the 2005 7/7 London bombings.  I wrote at the time "lovely to get out to beautiful, peaceful countryside".   Posted other photos of walk on Facebook.

Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)

This brilliant YouTube video should strikes a cord with anyone brought up from a small town.  Hat tip to Col. Roi. Of course, Newport was also the site of the Chartist Rebellion in 1839 which I think is the only serious attempt at violent revolutionary rebellion in modern mainland British History. 

You can see the original spine-tingling version of the song by Alicia Keys here.

UPDATE: sorry but EMI are just being greedy stupid t**ts but check out here