"The idea for the conference arose after the founding of the Association for Welsh Writing in English, some 20 years ago. We needed an opportunity for those interested in Welsh writing in English across Wales and beyond (a number of regular attenders come from the other side of Offa's Dyke) to get together to talk about current work, new research, new books etc.

It has always been at Gregynog. We have at some points discussed whether we should change the venue from year to year, but Gregynog is fairly central for those coming from across Wales and of course it is a wonderful setting, for any conference, especially in the Spring.

The Association was set up some 20 years ago when a number of people, from within the various colleges of the University of Wales, got together to establish a group that would encourage the study of Welsh writing in English in schools and colleges, arrange for the re-printing of texts which had gone out of print, and to increase awareness of the English language literature of Wales generally.

There are of course some outstanding writers: R.S. Thomas, Dylan Thomas, Emyr Humphreys, Raymond Williams, Gillian Clarke, and many more. Members of the association now come from a wide variety of institutions and the conference is of course open to anyone who is interested not just to members of the association.

We have a different topic each year, and invite scholars to come to give talks on the author/topic that they are researching or have written books about. But it is also a chance for people to get together more informally, to talk about the work that they are doing and make plans for future projects. It is a chance for general readers who are interested in the writing to meet and talk to the people who are undertaking studies of writers in the field. The atmosphere is always very friendly.

Themes discussed previously at conferences include: the short story in Wales, translation between the two languages of Wales and Welsh writing in the 1930s. The 2004 conference was on the relation between writing and the visual arts.

Highlights over the years have included a powerful poetry reading given by the late R.S. Thomas. Emyr Humphreys has also spoken on several occasions."

Article written by Dr Tony Brown