Poetry Library Of Wales Anyone?
England, Ireland and Scotland have one, but Wales has none...
NEWS
There have been numerous calls for a Welsh Poetry Library over the years. England has two, Scotland has one, but Wales, always the poor neighbour, has none.
Wales, home of the Eisteddfod bards, one of the oldest languages in Europe and Dylan Thomas, has nothing to celebrate our poetic culture.
The Poetry Library at the South Bank Centre in London is open to the public daily, has a great website, puts out a regular newsletter and promotes poetry from across the UK. They even promoted the Welsh Poetry Competition (the biggest in Wales) every year, throughout our 20-year history, unlike Literature Wales (who get approx. £1 million a year to promote Welsh literature) who did nothing!
Scotland also has its own poetry library – located near Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It’s open to everyone for research or general reading. Like the English poetry library, it too subscribes to most poetry magazines published in the UK and is also open to accepting poetry books from local poets.
Wales does have a national library, in Aberystwyth, but it doesn’t specialise in poetry.
It would be nice if the Poetry Library of Wales was situated in the south Wales valleys, or failing that, mid-Wales. This would attract visitors to the valleys and create much-needed jobs.
As well as being able to read and explore the works of Dannie Abse, Ruth Bidgood, Jackie Biggs, Mike Church, Phil Coleman, WH Davies, Menna Elfyn, Mick Evans, Rae Howells, Jean James, Mike Jenkins, Peter Thabit Jones, Phil Knight, Alun Lewis, Dave Lewis, Kathy Miles, Barry Norris, Sally Spedding, Dylan Thomas, Rhys Trimble, RS Thomas, Gwen Williams, Gareth Writer-Davis, and many others who escape my memory at the time of writing, there could be performance spaces, galleries, meeting places for poets and events that draw crowds from across the country. And not forgetting the Welsh language writers too!
A campaign, a few years ago, called upon the Senedd to fund one, but, passing the buck, they said this was down to Literature Wales. Mmm? We didn't hold our breath, and were right not to, as they did nothing.
Moving on, it should be noted that the international Maya Poetry Book Awards gets sent hundreds of poetry books every year, from all over the world. If the library were set up in Pontypridd, then I'm sure the organisers of the contest would be more than happy to donate all the poetry books they receive to a Welsh Poetry library. This would give the Welsh library a truly international theme.
Pontypridd, at the time of writing, is bidding to become 'Town of Culture' 2026/2027. If they are successful, then this could become a reality. Yet another feather in the cap of the great historic town. The organisers of the bid have been told about this opportunity, so fingers crossed something positive happens... watch this space!
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