Award winning author returns to his roots!

by Robert Lloyd

An award-winning author will be returning to Llanelli next week (Friday, July 5) to share his enthusiasm for Carmarthenshire history and culture in a bilingual evening to raise money for next year’s National Eisteddfod in the town.

Jon Gower, who was brought up in Pwll and educated at Llanelli Boys’ Grammar School, is the author of 17 books, including the novel, Y Storiwr which won last year’s Wales Book of the Year Award, and the coastal journey ‘Wales: At Water’s Edge’ which has been shortlisted for this year’s prize.

Jon also wrote ‘The Story of Wales,’ the best selling history which accompanies the landmark BBC series, presented by fellow Llanelli man Huw Edwards.

Jon Gower says he’s delighted to be be coming back to the town to give an illustrated talk at the town’s library:

“I’ve written two history books about Llanelli, one about Pwll and ‘Real Llanelli’ so I’m aware of the great wealth of material you can draw on.

“I love literature and I’ll be keen to pepper my talk with some good examples of writers who’ve written about Carmarthenshire in both prose and poetry.

“I’m sure there’ll be the usual suspects such as Dylan Thomas but there’ll also be less well known figures such as Lynette Roberts and Aneirin Talfan Davies, not to forget Llanelli novelists such as the by-now largely forgotten William Glynne-Jones.

“I happen to love the Eisteddfod, too, so I’m more than happy to be able to do something to help build awareness of this great cultural event.”

Dyfrig Thomas, chair of the Llanelli Town and Rural Appeals Committee for the Sir Gar National Eisteddfod 2014 said:

“We are delighted than Jon has agreed enthusiastically to give of his time and knowledge on the subject. I am sure it will be an entertaining as well as an educative evening, and at the same time help to raise funds for the 2014 Eisteddfod at Llanelli. An opportunity not to be missed.”

The evening, called Rhyfeddodau Sir Gâr or the Wonders of Carmarthenshire is at Llanelli Public Library on Friday July 5 and starts at 7.00 pm.

Admission is £10 (including a glass of wine).

The evening will be chaired by Robert Lloyd media consultant.

Tickets from 07917607245 or on the door.