Category Archives: Rugby Union

Brittle with Relics and Other Books about Wales

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Leigh Sparks

At this time of year, I often post about my recent reading, generally on the theme of retail books. This year though there is a different theme. Normal service will be renewed in due course.   I grew up in South … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Campaigns, Culture, Folk Museums, Government, History, Rugby Union, St Fagans, Tryweryn, UK Government, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

La Dolce Vita – or perhaps not

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Leigh Sparks

I am on annual leave today and tomorrow. These dates have been in the diary for some time; over a year to be precise.  Whilst being on leave will be a relief (for me and no doubt some colleagues) it … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Covid19, Food and Beverage, Italy, Markets, Pandemic, Retail Economy, Retailers, Rugby Union, Social Renewal, Sport, Uncategorized, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Week 26 in my Greenhouse

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Leigh Sparks

Anyone who follows me on twitter will have become used to Saturday pictures and tweets about the progress or not in my greenhouse.  On the 28th March I began (week 1) and here we are at week 26 – half … Continue reading →

Posted in Availability, Covid19, Food, Garden Centres, Gardens, Lockdown, Logistics, Retailers, Retailing, Rugby Union, Seeds, Twitter, Uncategorized, Wales | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where Good Food is a Religion

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

Regular readers of this blog will be aware of my passion for Welsh rugby, fresh food and especially markets.  Every so often the stars align and we take ourselves off to Rome where all can be indulged.  And so it … Continue reading →

Posted in Campagna Amica, Consumer Lifestyle, Diet and Health, Eataly, Farmers Markets, Food, Food Quality, Food Tourism, Gastronomy, Markets, Producers, Rugby Union, Scotland Food and Drink, Slow Food, Sparks, Supply Chains, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pontypool vs Penarth: Rugby and The High Street and Town of 1951

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Leigh Sparks

This post has been ready for some time, but I thought I would publish it today, as it is National Sporting Heritage Day. If you are reading this on the 30th in Stirling then the University is hosting a pop-up … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Community, Cooperatives, Design, High Streets, Independents, Local Retailers, Places, Retail History, Rugby Union, Small Shops, Towns, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Silence isn’t Golden

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Leigh Sparks

Some of you have noticed a slightly uncharacteristic silence from me over the last few weeks. This was especially curious given the publication by the Scottish Government of two reports in which I have been involved (The National Review of … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball, Personal, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Wales | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments