Villagers' verse gets published

The response was so good, there may be enough material for a sequel

Villagers have come together to publish a book of poetry, which features verse from people aged between eight and 101.

Forget Me Nots was launched in Gwaenysgor, Flintshire at the village's first Bookish Festival, which runs until 20 September.

The appeal for poems came from resident Hilary Denison, who placed an advert in a local newspaper and received an overwhelming response.

It includes poems from residents who have since died.

Ms Denison said the appeal had generated enough material for a sequel.

The collection has been endorsed by Manchester-born poet Les Barker, who wrote the foreword.

"We came up with the idea for a book of poetry by local people after we managed to get Les Barker here to perform and because we have a few people in the group who write poetry."

It has been financed by Cadwyn Clwyd's Flintshire cultural celebrations project, which paid for the first 50 copies to be published.

The European Union and the Welsh Assembly Government have also helped with funding.

Ms Denison added: "We were looking for a way to launch the book and hit on the idea of a festival.

"We've called it a Bookish Festival because it's not exclusively literary but about the creative arts generally.

"About half of the poets actually live in the village and all of them have a connection though three of them are no longer with us, Percy Hughes, Rene Lewis and Keith Jones.

"The children's poems are beautiful too and we hope it encourages others to write poetry."

'Heart and soul'

Centenarian Percy Hughes was 101 when he died.

Ms Denison said former resident Rene Lewis was the "heart and soul" of the village before she passed away.

A poem by her reads:

I have reached an age over three score and 10. My brain still ponders so I write with a pen.

Chores are done with slower pace, shopping I do not rush, no reason to haste

Mr Barker, from Wrexham, said: "They wanted to do something and they've found there's help available from Cadwyn Clwyd and that's enabled them to go ahead and do this book and I'm thrilled to be involved.

"I've written them a foreword in the form of a poem and I've read some of the work in the book and it's very good and to do it in a publication that the whole village is going to see is really very brave.

"They've really done an excellent job on the book too, very professional."

The Gwaenysgor Bookish festival runs until 20 September.