Table display of Anthony Jones' international writing career
Authors and writers from Carmarthenshire and South Wales crowded into St. Peter’s Civic Hall last Saturday for the second Carmarthen Book Fair. The 2017 event was a special one for several communities based in the town, as it was dedicated to the memory of the writer and sound artist Anthony Jones who died in July. The Carmarthen Book Fair is the product of much hard work by three generations of the Thompson family, grandparents John and Sarada being the driving force behind the company, Thompson Authors. This annual Carmarthen occasion is a recent addition to the Town’s cultural calendar and follows in the successful footsteps of such events in Tenby, Llandeilo and Narberth.
There was a good energy at the event opened by Town Mayor Alun Lenny, as book-selling was accompanied by a lively programme of story-telling, interesting talks and poetry readings to celebrate the life of Anthony Jones. Delicious refreshments were on offer from local business, organic vegetarian Café Iechyd Da.
Anthony Jones, who was known to many as “Trance”, was a champion of the arts in Carmarthen as well as a graduate of University of Wales, Trinity Saint David and chairman of the local bipolar association, a condition he battled with all his life. It seems that the diary of local Arts events in what remains of 2017 and 2018 will have many regular events dedicated to his memory. In March next year a library in the Swedish Town of Tranås will be renamed in Anthony’s honour, a place where he was particularly acclaimed as a poet.
On Saturday 25 November there will be a night of live-bands, spoken-word open-mic, stand up comedy, poetry readings and a DJ at the Parrot Music Bar on King Street. The night will be MC’d by the poet Dominic Williams, host of the regular Poems and Pints at the Queens event and a close friend of Anthony Jones. The event will be a fundraiser for West Wales Action on Mental Health.
Mayor Alun Lenny opening the event
Poet Dominic Williams reading from Anthony Jones' collection
Exhibitors stands at the Book Fair
Parrot Tribute Event 25/11/17
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