Never the Twain

Was it Mark Twain who said, “reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”?

A neighbour showed me this rather nice “obituary” recently written by respected writer and Rhuthun resident Hafina Clwyd Coppack. It appeared in the April 2009 edition of the Ruthin & District Civic Society’s ‘Ruthin Town & Around’ newsletter. I thought it was rather endearing and I reproduce it in full below. Not too sure, though, about being labelled “cantankerous”!

Non Liquet died suddenly at the age of five on 10th February this year. He is sadly missed. He had led an active and provocative life—often cantankerous but always lively. For those who are still puzzled I am talking about the Ruthin Blogger which appeared almost every day for five years. His reports on the goings on, the misdemeanours and quiddities of Ruthin were always a good read whether you agreed with them or not. He had his finger on the pulse, no doubt about that.

I do not know who he was. He was a Welsh speaker that was obvious. He was also very observant, and a classicist. Why else would he have chosen Non Liquet as his non de plume—two Latin words which mean “it is not clear”. In other words the jury is out.

Tesco, the Craft Centre, shops, the weather, the price of petrol, parking and Glasdir—and much more—all the things which worry the townspeople were discussed by Non Liquet. He/she is deeply mourned.