OCTOBER 2018

'Songs of Praise / Cymanfa Ganu'

and

'Midlife Crisis and it's Coincidences' 

with Elizabeth Jane Corbett

On Sunday 21st October the society joined the parishioners of St Michael and All Angels, Roxwell for an afternoon of hymn singing and music. Marie Brooks, church, warden welcomed everyone and Ivy Price, Welsh Society President, introduced each item. Two members of the choir sang Panis Angelicus and an anthem was sung by the choir. Psalm 23 was read in English by Ivy Price and in Welsh by Arthur Williams. Our thanks to the officers of the church for hosting the event once more, to David Pattrick for playing the organ and for the W.I. for providing refreshments.

At our monthly meeting on Wednesday 24th October the author Elizabeth Jane Corbett gave a fascinating insight into writing your first novel. Originally from Rayleigh in Essex, Elizabeth’s family emigrated to Australia when she was a young child. She was married at 19 and by the age of 40, had raised three children.

She always had an interest in historic novels and began carrying out extensive research on immigration into Australia from the British Isles. As her mother was from Port Talbot, she decided to base some of her characters from Wales, as well as from the Convent Garden area of London. During this investigative period, Elizabeth developed an interest in Welsh culture and began learning the language in Welsh classes in Melbourne. She visited Wales on numerous occasions, attending writing workshops in Corris, near Machynlleth.

Her first novel, based on the journey of immigrants into Australia in the 1840’s “The Tides Between” was published last year to impressive reviews. Elizabeth has been promoting the book throughout the UK and has given presentations in Welsh, a fact that really impressed our members. Her next novel will have more Welsh connections and is based on the life of the wife of the ancient ruler Owain Glyndwr.

Following Elizabeth’s presentation, a lively and entertaining ‘Question and Answer’ session took place, which gave us an enthralling understanding of the demands of writing your first novel.

 

Gwil Williams