About Me

I was born in Oswestry, to Welsh-speaking parents. I lived in Llanfyllin until I was six years old. We moved to Efailrhyd, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, and I was educated at Cefnhirfach Primary School, Llanfyllin High School, and Wrexham Technical College. I worked as a secretary at Barclays Bank until my marriage to a Welsh dairy farmer, and still live on that same farm in Cefn Canol, near Llansilin. I have two grown-up children, and four grandchildren. My family and the countryside are my main sources of inspiration. I have been writing poetry for the past twenty-five years.

The main spur to publish my first book was encouragement by friends and family. I was also asked by a number of local organizations e.g. Rhydycroesau Ladies’ Guild, Llansilin Over 60’s Club and Llanfyllin Mother’s Union, to recite some of my poems. I was forever being asked, “Why don’t you publish a book?” Also my mother died 14 years ago, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for some years. I have written four poems about Alzheimer’s, which appear in my first book. One about my mother having the condition, one about the general effects of the condition (with some humour), one about mum’s time in a nursing home, and another about euthanasia. I have also tried to look at the lighter side of the condition. My husband has often said, had we not laughed at some of the things mum did and said, we would have cried. I found that in writing these poems, they had a cathartic effect on me.

Before the publication of my first book, I found a telephone number on the back of a poem book I’d bought some years before. The lady I spoke to gave me Mike Willmott’s telephone number. I spoke to Mike at some length, and decided he was the person I wanted to edit my book. After some initial sparing, we worked together quite harmoniously. He was able to make my poems look quite presentable. Some of his favourite words are “doggerel,” “tautology” and collaboration.” My use of the English language has improved considerably since meeting Mike. It has been a pleasure working with him. Mike then introduced me to Gerald Newton, the illustrator responsible for the colourful cover of all three of my books. The illustrations hint at some of my poems, and stories.

My first book, ‘A Welsh Woman’s View,’ was published in October 2009, and one year later, I had sold well over 750 copies. I even had a call from South Carolina requesting a book, and the gentleman in question came over to see me and bought a book, for his wife, for Christmas. I have had a lot of positive feedback, including e-mails and letters from people who enjoyed my book. I have been amazed at the response.

Any profit from my first book went to the Alzheimer’s Society, towards their Research Project. I then sent them a cheque amounting to £2,200, as a result of sales. I had quite a few Poem functions lined up for 2010, including visits to various WI Meetings, Parish Church Women’s Fellowship Meetings, Ladies Guilds, Over 60’s etc. where I read and give a background to some of my poems. I was even been booked for functions in 2011.

As my first book sold out , in the summer of 2010, I recorded a CD of poems from my first book, with my very good friend Elizabeth Bickerton, playing her harp between each section. Any profit from the CD will go to the Blind and Partially Sighted, with the idea, if they can’t read the book, they can listen to the CD.

By October 2011, I had sold almost 1,000 copies of my first poem book ‘A Welsh Woman’s View.’ Because of its success, I then wrote a second poem book The proceeds from this book will go to the Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research.

On 22nd November, 2011, I was interviewed by Steve Bellis of Storypoint, about the Special Needs Project (Talk for Talk) ‘Synia ‘Da,’ I had been involved with, for 18 months.

I’d been asked to write three poems to give Special Needs children a voice. This I did, and in July of 2011, I was asked to give a speech, at their 10 Year Celebration Day, at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, about my work with the Mothers of the children.

It was a privilege to be given this opportunity, it was an unique and wonderful experience. The poems appear in my 2nd poem book, called ‘A Welsh Woman’s Miscellany,’ which became available in December 2012.

Steve is creating a multimedia report, for the Synia ‘Da project, and that’s why I was interviewed. It was a short informal audio interview about my experiences on the project.

In March 2012, a cheque for £400 was sent to the Alzheimer’s Society towards their Research Project – this was as a result of book sales and donations from ‘A Welsh Woman’s View’ – bringing the total amount sent, to £2,600.

In December 2012, ‘A Welsh Woman’s Miscellany’ was published. My second book contains poems on many subjects – Memories, Family, Local People, Achievements, Mediterranean Cruise, and a chapter on Special Needs.

In August 2014 £500 was sent to the Alzheimer’s Society towards research. The total sent to them now is £3,600. £500 was also sent to Cancer Research.

In September 2016, my book of Short Stories – ‘A Welsh Woman’s Reflections’ was published.

In September 2021 a further £500 was sent to Alzheimer’s Research, making the total sent £4,100