The R S Thomas Literary Festival and Poetry Competition
St Michael’s Church, Eglwysfach
11-13 September 2015
Walks, talks, feasting, beautiful poetry, art,
stunning location in Dyfi Biosphere, SSSI, NN Reserve.
R S Thomas was vicar of St Michael’s Church, Eglwysfach from 1954 to 1967 during one of
his most productive poetic periods. During his time in this parish he published ‘Song at the
year’s turning’ (1955) and other volumes of poetry. This began the development of his
reputation as one of Wales’s most important English-language poets. He died in 2000.
During his long life he became an internationally respected, though controversial poet. This
Festival honours his memory.
photo: John Hedgecoe
Reverend R S Thomas outside the Iron Room during his Ministry at Eglwysfach
This year’s festival will feature Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury,
Gillian Clarke - the National Poet of Wales, Christine Kinsey, Jim Perrin, Professor Tony
Brown and Professor M Wynn Thomas OBE, Dave Anning and Robin Huw Bowen.
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Photo: Paul Rogers
Dr Rowan Williams will preach at a Saturday morning service and give a talk in the
afternoon
Friday 11 September at 11am Jim Perrin, the mountaineer, climber and Guardian
correspondent will walk in the steps of R S Thomas up Foel Fawr. Join him to hear his
reminiscences and enjoy the wonderful scenery. Meet at the CADW car park in Furnace.
This will be followed by a talk at 2pm when Jim discusses the friendship between R S
Thomas and Bill Condry. The title is ‘Poetry and prose of a natural friendship’.
At 3.30pm Dave Anning, the Ynyshir RSPB Reserve Manager, will lead a walk from the
church past the Vicarage where the poet lived, to the R S Thomas hide and explain how this
reserve had such a profound influence on his life.
From 3.30 – 7.30pm: three rare archive films will be shown in the Iron Room: ‘Arolwg gyda R
S Thomas’ (1985), ‘Byd ar Bedwar’ (1989) and ‘Do you Really Believe? R S Thomas’ - by
courtesy of the National Library of Wales.
Photo: Keith Morris
Robin Huw Bowen, Master of the Welsh Triple Harp will give a recital in the evening
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7.30pm Robin Huw Bowen, Master of the Welsh Triple Harp will perform in the church. He
has introduced the Triple Harp and its music to thousands all over the world. As the only
full-time professional specialising solely in this instrument, his influence in the world of
Welsh folk music and harping has been far reaching. It is advisable to book for this event.
Saturday 12 September
11am Dr Rowan Williams will preach at a church service led by Canon Stuart Bell, well
known locally, having recently retired from St Michael’s Church in Aberystwyth. This event is
nearly fully booked.
2pm Also in the church Professor Tony Brown from the R S Thomas Study Centre, Bangor
University, and M Wynn Thomas OBE, Professor of Welsh Writing in English at Swansea
University will introduce and discuss the main event which starts at 3.30pm. These two
experts will share their scholarship with the audience and show why the poet has become
possibly the greatest Welsh poet of the twentieth century.
3.30pm - Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and former
Archbishop of Canterbury and recently appointed Chancellor of the University of South
Wales will deliver a thought provoking lecture entitled “Death or Resurrection? R. S.
Thomas’s Vision”. He has a long list of publications including ‘The Poems of Rowan Williams’.
5pm in the Iron Room - Christine Kinsey, a leading Welsh artist and Co-Founder / Artistic
Director of Chapter Art Centre, Cardiff will give an illustrated talk about the relationship
between her drawings and paintings and the poetry of R. S. Thomas. (She writes and
integrates words into her visual language creative process. Her images incorporate female
characters, symbols and motifs which reinterpret the traditional representation of women
together with imagery that explores the interface between the material and the spiritual
through the imagination.) The writing of R.S. Thomas is interwoven into the narrative line of
her paintings and drawings
Sunday 13 September. Both events in church
11.30am
Gillian Clarke, the National Poet of Wales gives a poetry reading in the church leading up to
the poetry competition. She will concentrate on and refer to RS in her reading. She has
written several poems about him, been inspired by him, and has stories to tell that show
how funny and warm he could be.( Listening to a Gillian Clarke poem is an intensely sensual
experience; her use of language "concrete as it is musical" and the patterning of rhyme and
alliteration combine to give the impression of a poem as an almost physical object”. (Times
Literary Supplement))
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photo: Marion Delyth
Gillian Clarke will give a poetry reading in the church on the Sunday morning.
The poetry competition
1.30 – 5pm The poetry competition is very popular. Local poets and poets from as far afield
as London have written poems inspired by those of R.S. Thomas. Come and enjoy listening
to them in the beautiful church where the poet ministered.
Judges: Gillian Clarke and Professor Tony Brown.
1st prize: £250 - 2nd prize: £100.
Refreshments will be served in the Iron Room throughout the Festival.
Tickets may be booked in advance, and, if available, will be on sale at the door.
Leaflets with full details can be downloaded from their website, twitter and facebook www.eglwysfach.co.uk . For further information please contact: 01654 781203/322 or
joyneal@btinternet.com alisonswanson@hotmail.com
Joy Neal
917words
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