After sold out literary tours to Machen country and Brenda Chamberlain's Bangor last year we have some more exciting new literary events arranged for you this year in partnership with Literature Wales' brilliant literary tourism programme. Join us on a sojourn to London for Soho Welsh, a trip down memory lane with Rachel Trezise and Boyd Clack in Riotous Rhondda and explore the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes on horseback to find out more about Dr Dannie Abse’s time in Ogmore. So much fun to be had! Book early to avoid disappointment.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Cardiff University lecturer Dr Tomos Owen, author of Real Bloomsbury NicholasMurray, and writer Lewis Davies in exploring Welsh writers and their London lives. We will walk in the footsteps of cult gothic horror writer Arthur Machen, revered short story writer Rhys Davies, founding editor of the Everyman’s Library series Ernest Rhys and novelist Dorothy Edwards The tour includes readings and short talks in the streets and pubs of Soho and Fitzrovia, and finishes at The Wheatsheaf – a former haunt of Dylan Thomas, Augustus John and George Orwell for readings by poets from Wales, London and beyond.

 

Meet at Soho Writers Centre at 12.00 noon for the walk (it finishes at The Wheatsheaf at 3.00 pm). Book tickets through Literature Wales.

 

 

 

 

In the former Fitzrovian drinking haunt of Dylan and Caitlin Thomas, Augustus John and Nina Hamnett join poets from Wales, London and beyond for readings and a London Welsh social. There will be contemporary readings from the poets own work, as well as some highlights from the writers contained in our Library of Wales series. Scroll down for full details or visit the Facebook Event Page.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Treorchy author Rachel Trezise, Rhondda-bred writer, singer and actor Boyd Clack and the Library of Wales series editor Professor Dai Smith for a bus tour through the ups and downs of Riotous Rhondda. Enjoy rolling commentary from Boyd Clack, readings from Rachel Trezise’s books in the places that inspired them, and extracts from local Library of Wales classics including works by Ron Berry, Rhys Davies, Gwyn Thomas and Alun Richards. Expect big views, tales of Tonypandy riots and a bookish encounter in a familiar Italian café.

 

 

 

 

Writers Tom Anderson and Dr Kate North cross the River Ogmore to explore the Merthyr Mawr sand dunes on horseback, delivering talks on Dr Dannie Abse’s time in Ogmore, and Tom Anderson’s sea and sense of place. To mark his 90th year, the afternoon will finish with drinks and an intimate reading and Q&A session with Dannie Abse at the stunningly located Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre – you can buy a ticket for this alone if horse trekking isn’t your thing. 12.30 pm – 5.00 pm (horse trek & reading, £36/£34 conc); 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm (reading only, £10/£8). In partnership with Parthian Books and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

 

 

 

 

Join Professor Damian Walford Davies in an exploration of the Ynys-hir estate, now a RSPB nature reserve, where RS Thomas spent many hours bird-watching. Thomas was particularly drawn to this area of outstanding natural beauty within the Dyfi estuary following his move from Manafon. The linkage between his poetry, nature and place will colour the talks en route, which will be followed by a short lecture at St. Michael’s in Eglwysfach, where Thomas was rector from 1954-1967. In partnership with Church in Wales & the RSPB. 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm, £8 (£6.50 conc). Part of the series of literary tours marking RS Thomas’ centenary year - visit www.rsthomas2013.org for further details.