Literary Tourism Events Programme 2013 by Literature Wales

LITERATURE WALES LITERARY TOURISM EVENTS PROGRAMME APRIL—OCTOBER 2013 LITERARY ADVENTURES ACROSS WALES

Literary Ogmore with Dannie Abse and/or on Horseback with Tom Anderson AND Kate North

Welcome Welcome to Literature Wales’ 2013 Literary Tourism Events Programme. Join us on eighteen new literary adventures, taking you to the heart of Welsh worlds and words for totally one-off, unforgettable experiences. Discover Wales’ literatures by bicycle, bus, canoe, on horseback and on foot.

ratings. If you’re buying for a friend, Gift Vouchers are now available.

Tours are located across Wales through the mediums of English and Welsh. You don’t have to be an experienced rambler, cyclist, horse-rider or canoeist to take part – check each individual tour listing for difficultly

The Civic Trust for Wales is also running ten literary-themed Open Doors Days in September 2013. For further information visit www.civictrustwales.org

For further information contact Literature Wales: 029 2047 2266 / www.literaturewales.org / post@literaturewales.org

Saturday 18 May, 2013 Times: 12.30 pm – 5.00 pm (horse trek & reading); 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm (reading only) Start / Finish point: Ogmore Farm Riding Centre, Ogmore By Sea, Nr. Bridgend, CF32 0QP (horse trek); Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre, Dunraven Park, Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan CF32 ORP (reading) Ticket price: £36 (£34) – horse trek & reading; £10 (£8) – reading only Food / Drink Provision: Soft drink or tea / coffee included at the end Recommended Clothing: Comfortable footwear, Waterproofs; Warm layers; Suncream and hat (horse trek)

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. In partnership with Parthian Books and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg yn archwilio Merthyr Mawr llenyddol, ar gefn ceffyl gyda Tom Anderson a Kate North a/neu yn Ogwr gyda Dannie Abse.

In partnership with:

Horse-trekking Easy, Negligible No English

Not suitable Age Suitability Wetlands & waterways; Seascapes & beaches; Hills & valleys Local free parking (watch for high river levels at Ogmore Castle)

Soho Welsh: The Wheatsheaf Readings with Tomos Owen, Nicholas Murray and Lewis Davies

Riotous Rhondda with Rachel Trezise, Boyd Clack and Dai Smith

Saturday 25 May, 2013

Saturday 8 June, 2013

Times: 12.00 noon – 3.00 pm (walk); 3.30pm – 5.30 pm (reading) Start / Finish point: Start - Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3NE; Finish - The Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JB Ticket price: £15 (£13) – walk & reading; £7 (£6) – reading only Food / Drink Provision: Not included – bring refreshments or food / drink available locally en route Recommended Clothing: Comfortable footwear; Waterproofs; Warm layers Join Cardiff University lecturer Dr Tomos Owen, author of Real Bloomsbury Nicholas Murray, 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,

Easy, 2 miles No English Not suitable

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. In partnership with Parthian Books. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg yn archwilio cysylltiadau llenyddol Cymraeg Llundain gyda Tomos Owen, Nicholas Murray, Lewis Davies a gwestai arbennig.

Age suitability Urban landscapes London parking and driving restrictions apply

Times: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm Start/ Finish point: Start - Cardiff National Museum, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP (10.30 am) & Rhondda Heritage Centre, Rhondda Heritage Park, Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod CF37 2NP (11.15 am); Finish - Rhondda Heritage Centre (4.15 pm) & Cardiff National Museum (5.00 pm) Ticket Price: £20 (£18) Food /Drink provision: Light refreshments included. Bring a packed lunch & flask Recommended Clothing: Comfortable footwear; Waterproofs; Warm layers 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

Coach Moderate, 5 miles No English

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. In partnership with Parthian Books and the Library of Wales series. Ymunwch â Rachel Trezise, Boyd Clack a Dai Smith, ar daith bws dros fryn a dôl Y Rhondda. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg.

Not suitable Age Suitability Hills & Valleys; Urban landscapes Pay & Display at Cardiff start/finish point; Free parking at Rhondda Heritage Centre

The Wild West with Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones and Samantha Wynne Rhydderch

Neolithic Literary Anglesey with Rhys Mwyn and Fiona Collins

Saturday 15 June, 2013

Friday 21 June, 2013

Times: 6.00 pm – 10.30 pm (approx) Start / Finish point: Coach park, Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig, Ffordd Llanbadarn, Llangawsai, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3QN Ticket price: £15 (£13.50) Food / Drink Provision: Meal included. Bring money for drinks Recommended Clothing: Warm layers The Ceredigion coastline has produced and attracted some of Wales’ finest and most sociable contemporary writers. Spend an evening with Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones and Samantha Wynne Rhydderch, enjoying readings at three pubs of their choosing. We will take you on a literary

Coach Easy, Negligible No English

magical mystery tour from Aberystwyth to Goginan, Aberaeron, New Quay and back. Includes fish & chips (or veggie option) en route. In partnership with Parthian Books. Taith lenyddol hudol ddirgel yn crwydro tafarnau ar hyd arfordir Ceredigion gyda Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones a Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg.

Not suitable Age Suitability Urban landscapes; Seascapes & beaches, Hills & valleys Free parking at the start/finish point

Times: 10.30 am – 5.30 pm Start / Finish point: Plas Newydd Car Park, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, LL61 6DQ Ticket price: £14.00 (£12.50) Food / Drink Provision: Cake included bring a packed lunch & flask Recommended Clothing: Walking boots; Waterproofs; Warm layers; Suncream & hat (if relevant)

Day hike will take in five outstanding monuments through fantastical, archaeological and mythical eyes. Not for the faint hearted.

Join legendary punk rock musician, contemporary antiquarian and author Rhys Mwyn, and storyteller and author Fiona Collins in a literary exploration of south west Anglesey’s exceptional Neolithic monuments. This Midsummer

In partnership with the National Trust, Cadw and The Anglesey Druid Order.

Difficult, 10 miles Yes English Not suitable

This event forms part of Cadw’s Summer Solstice events in Anglesey. For more information on their programme visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.

Bydd Rhys Mwyn a Fiona Collins yn archwilio cofgolofnau Neolithig eithriadol de-orllewin Ynys Môn trwy lygaid llenyddol. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg.

Age Suitability Hills & valleys; Wetlands & waterways; Seascapes & beaches; Forests Free parking at start/finish point

RS Thomas’ Manafon with Tony Brown

Joe Dunthorne and Craig Roberts in Submarine Swansea

Thursday 27 June, 2013

Saturday 6 July, 2013

Times: 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm Start / Finish point: Start - Village Hall, New Mills, Tregynon, Newtown, Powys SY16 3NG; Finish - St Michael’s Church, Manafon, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8BP Ticket price: £10 (£9) adults; £5 for ages 18 & under Food / Drink Provision: Tea / coffee and cake included Recommended Clothing: Comfortable footwear; Waterproofs; Warm layers 2013 marks the centenary of one of Wales’ finest poets; RS Thomas. This literary tour is the first in a series taking place during the year-long celebrations - visit www.rsthomas2013.org for further details. RS Thomas was rector of St Michael’s Church, Manafon, from 1942-1954. During this time, he wrote most of the poetry

Moderate, 2.5 miles No English Not suitable

published in his first three collections and began learning Welsh in earnest. Manafon and its inhabitants deeply affected Thomas, who felt alienated from them, or his romanticized view of them, due to his Anglicized childhood. Join Professor Tony Brown in exploring this conflict, and Thomas’ verse, on a walk around the village, followed by a short lecture at St. Michael’s. This event forms part of Gregynog Festival’s RS Thomas Day, which also includes an evening programme of music and literature – visit www.gregynogfestival.org for further information. In partnership with Gregynog Festival. Manafon RS Thomas. Taith gerdded gyda’r Athro Tony Brown. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg.

Age Suitability Hills & valleys Free parking on-road parking locally – please be sensitive to residents

Times: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm (film screening); 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm (tour) Start / Finish point: Outside The Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR Ticket price: Film screening only - £5 (£4); Tour only - £11 (£9); Film screening & tour - £15 (£13) Food / Drink Provision: Not included (screening); Light refreshments included (tour) Recommended Clothing: Tour Comfortable footwear; Waterproofs; Warm layers; Suncream (if relevant) Joe Dunthorne’s debut novel Submarine (Hamish Hamilton, 2008) was an instant hit, leading to its almost immediate adaptation to film by Joe and Richard Ayoade in 2010, produced by Warp Films

Coach Easy, 1 mile walk No English

with funding from the Film Agency for Wales. Starring Craig Roberts, filming took place across south-west Wales, re-presenting the semi-fictional places featured in the book, which in turn fed from Joe’s own teenage years. Join Joe and Craig in exploring some of these places by coach and on foot, finishing with drinks in the forest from the film. A screening, introduced by Joe and Craig, will precede the tour – come along as part of, or instead of the tour. In partnership with the Film Agency for Wales & The Dylan Thomas Centre. Dangosiad ffilm a/neu thaith cyfrwng Saesneg yn archwilio Abertawe Submarine Joe Dunthorne a’r actor Craig Roberts.

Yes - by prior arrangement Age Suitability Seascapes & beaches; Urban landscapes; Forests; Hills & Valleys Pay & Display available locally

Canoeing in Dylan Thomas’ Taf Estuary AND/ Or Dylan Thomas’ New York Treat

RS Thomas’ Eglwysfach with Damian Walford Davies and the Birds of Ynys-hir

Saturday 20 July, 2013

Saturday 7 September, 2013

Times: 3.00 pm – 5.30 pm (canoe); 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm (New York treat) Start / Finish point: Start – Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire SA33 4SD / Finish – Launching platform, Laugharne (canoe); Start / Finish - Wright’s Independent Food Emporium, Cwmtwrch Farm, Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire, SA32 7NY (New York treat) Ticket price: Canoe only - £27 (£25); New York treat only – £22 (£20); Both - £44 (£42) Food / Drink Provision: Not included (canoe); Two course meal included. Drinks available to purchase (New York treat) Recommended Clothing: Wellies, waterproofs, warm layers and a change of clothing (canoe) Dylan Thomas settled in Laugharne in 19381940, and again in 1949 until his death. Drawn to the shimmering tidal harbour, he often rowed

Canoeing (suitable for beginners) Easy, 1 mile No English

across the Taf Estuary to visit friends Keidrych Rhys, Glyn Jones and Vera Phillips, and to drink in Llansteffan’s pubs. Join Dylan Thomas experts Dr John Goodby and Jeff Towns in exploring the estuary by canoe, riding the eddies of his life and words. If canoeing isn’t your thing, or as a reward for all that paddling, join us for an evening of Dylan Thomas, jazz and New York food with Burum and Dr Daniel G. Williams.

Times: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm Start / Finish point: Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, Eglwysfach, Ceredigion, SY20 8TA Ticket price: £8 (£6.50) Food / Drink Provision: Tea/ coffee & cake included Recommended Clothing: Walking boots; Waterproofs; Warm layers; Suncream (if relevant)

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 the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, CREW/Richard Burton Centre, Swansea University & Canoe Wales.

Part of the series of literary tours marking RS Thomas’ centenary year - visit www.rsthomas2013.org for further details.

Canŵio yn Aber y Taf, Talacharn, gyda Jeff Towns a John Goodby, a/neu noson o Dylan Thomas, jazz a bwyd archwaethus Efrog Newydd gyda Burum a Daniel G. Williams.

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

Taith cyfrwng Saesneg o amgylch Ynys-hir ac Eglwysfach, lle treuliodd RS Thomas lawer o’i amser, gyda’r Athro Damian Walford Davies.

Not suitable Age Suitability Wetlands & waterways; Urban landscapes Pay & Display parking locally. Boathouse access is on foot only

Moderate, 3 miles No English Not Suitable

In partnership with Church in Wales & the RSPB.

Age Suitability Wetlands & waterways; Hills & valleys Free parking at start/finish point

BOOKING Form I would like to book: place(s) on Horse Trek & Reading /or place(s) for Reading only Literary Ogmore with Dannie Abse, Tom Anderson and Kate North 18 May, £36 (£34) Horse Trek & Reading / £10 (£8) Reading only place(s) on Walk & Reading or place(s) for Reading only - Soho Welsh with Tomos Owen and Lewis Davies 25 May, £15 (£13) Walk & Reading / £7 (£6) Reading only © Cadw

Medieval Literature and Arthurian Legends at St. Asaph and Holywell with Raluca Radulescu Saturday 14 September, 2013 Times: 10.30 am - 3.30 pm Start / Finish point: Car park (directly opposite St Asaph Cathedral), Upper Denbigh Road, St Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 0RD Ticket price: £8.50 (£7.50) Food / Drink Provision: Not included – please bring a packed lunch & flask Recommended clothing: Comfortable footwear; Waterproofs; Warm layers Wales is a country of myths and legends, boasting a strong tradition of storytelling dating back to the early post Roman period. Medieval Literature specialist Dr Raluca Radulescu will guide us along the

Taith fws yn olrhain hanes llenyddiaeth yr Oesoedd Canol a chwedloniaeth Arthuraidd. Taith cyfrwng Saesneg.

Not Suitable Age Suitability Hills & valleys; Forests Pay & Display parking at the start/finish point

place(s) on Riotous Rhondda with Rachel Trezise, Boyd Clack and Dai Smith 8 June, £20 (£18)

place(s) on Canoeing in Dylan Thomas’ Taf Estuary and New York treat, places on the Canoe only or place(s) on the New York treat only, with Jeff Towns, John Goodby and Daniel G. Williams 20 July, £44 (£42) Canoe & New York treat / £27 (£25) Canoe only / £22 (£20) New York treat only

place(s) on The Wild West with Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones and Samantha Wynne Rhydderch 15 June, £15 (£13.50)

place(s) on RS Thomas’ Eglwysfach with Damian Walford Davies and the Birds of Ynys-hir 7 September, £8 (£6.50)

place(s) on Neolithic Literary Anglesey with Rhys Mwyn and Fiona Collins 21 June, £14 (£12.50)

place(s) on Medieval Literature and Arthurian Legends at St. Asaph and Holywell with Raluca Radulescu 14 September, £8.50 (£7.50)

adult place(s) and under 18 place(s) on R.S Thomas’ Manafon with Tony Brown (part of Gregynog Festival’s RS Thomas Day) 27 June, £10 (£9) adults / £5 aged 18 years & under

In partnership with Cadw and Bangor University.

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Coach Moderate, 3 miles No English

winding paths of the north-eastern corner of Wales, visiting historic sites which feature in some of the oldest surviving texts, and delving deep into the literary footsteps of King Arthur.

place(s) on the Tour only or place(s) for the Film Screening & Tour - Joe Dunthorne and Craig Roberts in Submarine Swansea 6 July, £5 (£4) Film Screening only / £11 (£9) Tour only / £15 (£13) Film Screening & Tour

BOOKING Form

Terms & Conditions Weather Conditions Tours will take place regardless of weather conditions, unless they present a risk to health and safety. Bad weather does not constitute a valid reason for you cancelling your place and should you wish to do so on the day, Literature Wales regrets that a refund cannot be made.

I agree to the Literary Tourism Terms & Conditions (you must tick this to make a booking) Literature Wales would like to keep you updated with information about our events, products and services. Please tick the box if you do not wish to receive this information. Concessionary rates (stated in brackets) are available for: Welsh Academy Members and Associates

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Cancellation Policy Due to the financial and administrative commitments of organising the literary tours, the income they generate must be guaranteed. A refund may be made if reasonable notice is given (minimum 4 weeks) but this will be subject to a 20% administrative charge.

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Tours may be cancelled within the 4 week notice period but a refund will only be given if your place is resold by Literature Wales. This refund will also be subject to a 20% administrative charge.

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Literature Wales reserves the right to cancel the tour in the case of illness or any other circumstances beyond its control. In the case of a tour being cancelled, every effort will be made to contact you in advance and a full refund of monies paid will be made.

Please return this form with payment to: Literature Wales, Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FL Tel: 029 2047 2266 / www.literaturewales.org / post@literaturewales.org

Literature Wales reserves the right to refuse to take anyone on a tour who is, or appears to be, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or whose behaviour is detrimental to the enjoyment of other tour participants.

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Changes to the Tour Sometimes circumstances beyond Literature Wales’ control dictate a last minute change to part of the tour itinerary. Should this occur, alternative content of equal quality and value will be offered where possible.

Come Prepared and Be Prepared Please make sure that you, and those on whose behalf you have booked, are dressed appropriately and sufficiently fit for the tour. Tours are conducted in a variety of locations and conditions - all who attend must ensure that they are adequately equipped and physically able to cope with the demands. Some routes will include footpaths and uneven surfaces which may be muddy or overgrown. Further information about the level of difficulty is included in the tour description and specific requirements will be sent in the booking confirmation. Accessibility Tours are conducted in a variety of locations, some of which may not be wheelchair accessible. Please refer to the tour description before making your booking. Accident or Loss Tour participants are responsible for their own personal safety and possessions at all times. Literature Wales accepts no liability for injury, loss, damage, inconvenience or direct or consequential loss, however caused, unless due to our employees’ negligence. Literature Wales does not own or manage the venues, vehicles, restaurants, cafes or public houses visited, and is not liable for loss or damage caused by the proprietors or operators thereof. Personal Insurance It is the individual responsibility of all who attend a literary tour to decide whether to take out personal insurance. Privacy Policy All personal data supplied will be securely held by Literature Wales and not passed on to any third party. For further information, Literature Wales’ corporate privacy policy may be viewed on its website, or is available by request by contacting Literature Wales by telephone or post.

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This way for London

Soho Welsh: The Wheatsheaf Readings with Tomos Owen, Nicholas Murray and Lewis Davies

Taith Lenyddol o gwmpas Stâd Glynllifon gyda Gwen Pritchard Jones a John Dilwyn

Riotous Rhondda with Rachel Trezise, Boyd Clack and Dai Smith

R.S Thomas’ Manafon with Tony Brown

Submarine Swansea with Joe Dunthorne and Craig Roberts

O Abergwaun i Aberteifi gyda Mererid Hopwood a Ceri Wyn Jones

Dylan Thomas’ Taf Estuary &/or New York Treat with Jeff Towns, John Goodby & Daniel G. Williams

The Wild West 12 with Niall Griffiths, Cynan Jones and Samantha Wynne Rhydderch

RS Thomas’ Eglwysfach with Damian Walford Davies

Medieval Literature and Arthurian Legends at St. Asaph and Holywell with Raluca Radulescu

Guto’r Glyn, y llwybr i Fôn gydag Eurig Salisbury

Neolithic Literary Anglesey with Rhys Mwyn and Fiona Collins

Ar Drywydd Waldo Ar Gewn Beic gyda Hefin Wyn a Teifryn Williams Aberdaron RS Thomas gyda Damian Walford Davies Y Stafell Ddirgel, o Fryn Mawr i Fryn Mawr gyda Haf Llewelyn a Huw Meilir Edwards Y Mabinogion gyda Sioned Davies Ysbrydion Aberystwyth gydag Euros Lewis Literary Merthyr Mawr on Horseback and/or on foot with Dannie Abse, Tom Anderson & Kate North