Charity Number: 232672 Rhagair / Foreword

Ar ran Canolfan Cymry Llundain mae hi’n fraint i’ch croesawu i Ŵyl Lenyddiaeth gyntaf Cymry Llundain. Mae’n benllanw misoedd o waith paratoi ac yn ddechrau ar rhywbeth arbennig iawn ar Grays Inn Road.

Mae rhaglen yr ŵyl yn gyfoethog, amrywiol ac unigryw. Hyderaf y byddwch wedi eich plesio gan yr arlwy gyda chyfleoedd i ystyried, trafod, dadlau, ac yn fwy na dim i fwynhau.

Mae’r ŵyl yn adlewyrchiad o amcanion ehangach Canolfan Cymry Llundain. Mae teitl dydd Sadwrn ‘From , Bloomsbury and beyond’ yn amlygu pa mor unigryw yw ein lleoliad. Gyntaf oll, rydym yn gartref balch i Gymry Llundain. Rydym hefyd yn ganolfan gymunedol sydd â rôl bwysig yn lleol. Awn ymhellach nag unrhyw linell ddaearyddol hefyd. Mae ein drysau yn agored i bawb sydd am fwynhau a gwerthfawrogi ein cartref beth bynnag fo’u cefndir, ffydd neu hil.

Mae gennym gynlluniau uchelgeisiol ar gyfer ein Canolfan ac mae digwyddiadau fel Gŵyl Lenyddiaeth Cymry Llundain yn hanfodol i gynaladwyedd y cynlluniau yma. Mae hwn yn gam diwylliannol a strategol bwysig i ni. Diolch am ymuno ar y daith.

Mae hydref prysur iawn o’n blaenau yn y Ganolfan. Mae manylion y digwyddiadau yn y rhaglen hon ac ar ein gwefan. Mae modd cefnogi ein gwaith trwy danysgrifio i’r Ganolfan neu drwy roi arian i’n helusen gwerth-chweil. Byddwch yn rhan o rywbeth gwych ac unigryw.

Edrychwn ymlaen i rannu gyda chi yng Ngŵyl Lenyddiaeth gyntaf Cymry Llundain – digwyddiad wirioneddol gofiadwy!

On behalf of the Welsh Centre it is an honour to welcome you to the inaugural London Welsh Literature Festival. It is the culmination of months of preparation and the beginning of something very special at Grays Inn Road.

The festival line-up speaks for itself – it is rich, diverse and unique. I trust you will be impressed by what’s on offer with opportunities for reflection, discussion, debate and above all enjoyment.

The festival reflects the broader aims of the London Welsh Centre. Saturday’s title ‘From Wales, Bloomsbury and beyond’ highlights our unique sense of place. We are first and foremost a proud home to the Welsh in London. We are also a community centre engaged in and with our local surroundings. We go way beyond any geographical line or boundary too. Our doors are open to all who want to enjoy and appreciate our home regardless of background, faith or race.

We have ambitious plans for our Centre and events such as the London Welsh Literature Festival are crucial to the delivery and sustainability of these plans. This is an important cultural and strategic step for us. We are glad that you are joining us on the journey.

The festival kicks off a bumper autumn at the Centre. Details of events are in this programme and on our website. You can support our work by becoming a London Welsh Centre subscriber or by donating to our worthwhile charity. Be part of something unique and wonderful.

We look forward to sharing with you the first ever London Welsh Literature Festival – a truly momentous occasion!

Rhian Jones, Prif Swyddog Gweithredol / Chief Executive Officer Festival Programme / Rhaglen yr Ŵyl Thursday October 3rd / Dydd Iau Hydref 3ydd

The London Welsh Forum presents: Senghenydd Mining Disaster

The inaugural London Welsh Literature Festival begins by commemorating the centenary of the Senghenydd colliery disaster, the worst mining accident in the UK which claimed the lives of 439 men on the morning of October 14th 1913.

This is the only event outside Wales to commemorate this tragic event in mining history and takes place in the London Welsh Centre bar.

7.30pm ‘What exactly happened?’

Broadcaster, writer and TV personality Roy Noble describes the events of that fateful morning on October 14th 1913

7.50pm The Centenary

Jack Humphries, Chairman of the Centenary Committee, talks about how this important anniversary will be commemorated in Senghenydd and across Wales

8.10pm The Aber Valley Poetry Competition

The six shortlisted poems in the 2013 Aber Valley Poetry Competition will be read aloud by this evening’s contributors. This year’s competition is dedicated to the Senghenydd Centenary

8.30pm Interval

8.45pm Boyd Clack and Kirsten Jones

Legendary Rhondda writer/musician/actor Boyd Clack shows his support for Senghenydd with readings and music with Kirsten Jones

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Friday October 4th / Dydd Gwener Hydref 4ydd

Children’s Event in the Main Hall / Digwyddiad i blant yn y Brif Neuadd

10am – 3pm

Award winning live performer and poet Martin Daws is the Young People’s Laureate for Wales, travelling around the country inspiring young people to express themselves through words

Aneirin Karadog yw Bardd Plant Cymru. Mae’r bardd perfformiadol yn wyneb cyfarwydd iawn yn sgîl ei swydd ohebu ar Heno, a Sam ar y Sgrin ar S4C. Bu hefyd yn aelod o’r grŵp pop enwog Genod Droog, a’r band hip-hop Y Diwygiad

1 Friday October 4th / Dydd Gwener Hydref 4ydd

Music Seminars

7.30-8.15pm Wales and the growth of punk

John Robb kicks off our evening of musical seminars by looking at Welsh involvement in punk.

John Robb is the editor of ‘’ and has written several books on pop music including ‘: An Oral History’ and ‘The Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop’. He has also appeared on TV programmes including Channel 4’s ‘I love the 60s/70s’

Venue: Lower Hall

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7.30-8.15pm ‘How soon is now?’…a history of independent labels

Mercury Music Prize judge Jude Rogers joins Richard King to discuss his award-winning history of independent record labels.

Richard King works for Domino Records and writes for a number of publications including ‘Caught by the River’. He also curates the Literature Stage at the

Jude Rogers describes herself as a writer, romantic, Welsh woman and geek. She has been on the judging panel of the Mercury Music Prize since 2007 and writes extensively about pop music and her love of London

Venue: Main Hall

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8.30-9.15pm :

With WOMEX, SWN Festival, the , Spillers Records, a thriving scene and dozens of great bands and venues, how has Cardiff transformed itself into one of Britain’s most happening music Cities?

Simon Price chairs as Ashli Todd, Dave Owens and Kieron Jones tell us the story.

Simon Price was Live Reviews Writer of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012 and is the rock and pop critic for on Sunday. He also wrote ‘Everything’, a complete history of the

Ashli Todd runs the legendary Spillers Records in Cardiff – the oldest record shop in the world

Dave Owens is the media and arts correspondent for Wales Online and has seen the Cardiff music scene transform over the last 25 years

Kieron Jones is information and research officer for the Welsh Music Foundation

Venue: Main Hall

2 8.30-9.15pm The History of the NME

Former NME reviews editor Pat Long discusses his book which charts the history of Britain’s most famous and revered music magazine

Venue: Lower Hall

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9.30-10.15pm Smoke: A London peculiar

Mercury Music Prize judge Jude Rogers discusses her love of London through her quarterly publication ‘Smoke’.

Jude Rogers describes herself as a writer, romantic, Welsh woman and geek. She has been on the judging panel of the Mercury Music Prize since 2007 and writes extensively about pop music and her love of London

Venue: Lower Hall

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9.30-10.15pm – how the Manic Street Preachers changed Welsh music

With the recent release of their 11thstudio ‘Rewind the Film’, the Manic Street Preachers have become one of Britain’s greatest rock bands. Those who have worked closely with the band over the past 20 plus years tell us why. John Robb chairs with Simon Price, Rhian E. Jones and Kieran Evans.

John Robb is the editor of ‘Louder than War’ and has written several books on pop music including ‘Punk Rock: An Oral History’ and ‘The Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop’. He has also appeared on TV programmes including Channel 4’s ‘I love the 60’s/70’s’

Simon Price was Live Reviews Writer of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012 and is the rock and pop critic for the Independent on Sunday. He also wrote ‘Everything’, a complete history of the Manic Street Preachers

Rhian E. Jones grew up in South Wales and now lives in London, where she writes on history, politics and popular culture. Her first book ‘Clampdown’, a study of gender, identity and class in music was published earlier this year

Kieran Evans is a film and documentary-maker. He shot the videos for the ‘Rewind the Film’ singles and also made the film ‘’. His latest film ‘Kelly and Victor’ is currently showing in cinemas across Britain

Venue: Main Hall

3 Friday October 4th / Dydd Gwener Hydref 4ydd

2013 Welsh Music Prize Concert

The Welsh Music Prize was founded by DJ and Head of the Welsh Music Foundation John Rostron in 2010. Previous winners include for ‘’ in 2011 and for ‘The Plot Against Common Sense’ in 2012. This exclusive London concert showcases 4 of the 12 shortlisted acts for this year’s prize. A full concert takes place in Cardiff on Wednesday October 16th, the day before the prize is announced. www.welshmusicprize.com

7.30pm Little Arrow

Reared in the wilds of St. David’s in , Little Arrow bottle up the spirit of their natural surroundings and transpose it into an edgy, grunge folk cocktail. Built around the delicately varied songwriting of William Hughes, their two LPs ‘Music, Mask and Poems’ (2011) and ‘Wild Wishes’ (2013) echo the sound of campfires on late-night beaches, stormy waves crashing against rocky coasts and a sense of ethereal yearning, with ‘Wild Wishes’ receiving a nomination for the 2013 Welsh Music Prize

8.20pm Trwbador

Blessed with a delicate sound somewhere between campfire folk of the late Sixties and ever- evolving bedroom electronics of the here and now, Trwbador have carved out their own little corner of the musical landscape since they started working together in 2010. Hailing from rural Carmarthenshire, the long lineage of quirkily enchanting Welsh pop both infuses and absorbs this duo’s music. The floatily expressive vocals of Angharad Van Rijswijk possess a beautiful naivety, while Owain Gwilym’s guitar playing weaves around synths and digital rhythms

9.10pm Winter Villains

Winter Villains are a band based in Cardiff, South Wales. They play eclectic, experimental orchestral music. Their debut album 'February' was released on Barely Regal Records in April 2013 and was shortlisted for the 2013 Welsh Music Prize

10pm Fist Of The First Man

The coolest soundtrack that isn’t in fact a soundtrack, Fist Of The First Man’s debut album instantly cemented the four-piece as one of the more cerebral acts on the 2013 Welsh Music Prize shortlist. Yet another project by super producer and general whiz Zwolf, it’s no surprise that a cinematic-feel pervades this collective – Zwolf, aka Tom Raybould, earns his crust as a composer and sound designer. The 2012 album is filled with lo-fi tunes to nod along to but continually catches you out with a heavy, unremitting undertone, and if the buzz surrounding their live performances is anything to go by, Fist Of The First Man is an experience you don’t want to miss

Venue: Upstairs Bar

4 Saturday October 5th / Dydd Sadwrn Hydref 5ed

From Wales, Bloomsbury and beyond

11am Huw Edwards: What’s news?

Newsreader, journalist and President of the London Welsh Centre Huw Edwards will open Saturday’s programme by taking a look at the modern and ever-changing world of journalism.

Venue: Main Hall

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11.30am Performance Poetry Masterclass with Martin Daws

Award winning live performer and poet Martin Daws is the Young People’s Laureate for Wales, travelling around the country inspiring young people to express themselves through words. This exclusive two hour workshop will teach you how to perform your work confidently.

Venue: Lower Hall

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12.30pm Welsh Identity with Ifor ap Glyn, Rhian E. Jones, Jasper Rees and Peter Daniels

Born and bred in London to Welsh parents, poet and performer Ifor ap Glyn now lives in . Ifor won the Crown at the National in 1999 and 2013. Rhian E. Jones grew up in South Wales and now lives in London, where she writes on history, politics and popular culture. Her first book ‘Clampdown’, a study of gender, identity and class in music was published earlier this year. Jasper Rees is a journalist, whose family ties with Wales led to his quest to learn Welsh and to write his popular book ‘Bred of Heaven’. Peter Daniels is the author of ‘In Search of Welshness’, a book exploring the views of Welsh exiles who have been motivated to rediscover their Welsh identity. This prestigious panel will discuss their idea of Welsh identity and what it means to them.

Venue: Upstairs Bar

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2pm Ifor ap Glyn: Lloerig a Llundeinig

Enillodd Ifor ap Glyn Goron Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2013 gyda chasgliad o gerddi yn cyfleu’r siom am y gwymp yn nifer y siaradwyr Cymraeg yn ôl Cyfrifiad 2011. Bydd Ifor yn son am y cefndir tu ôl i’w gerddi ac yn perfformio detholiad o’i waith.

This session will be through the medium of Welsh with National Eisteddfod Crown winner Ifor ap Glyn. He will discuss the background to his award-winning poems and will perform a selection of his work.

Lleoliad / Venue: Y Brif Neuadd / Main Hall

5 2– 4pm Poetry with a Punch

Featuring playful rhymes and poetic banter from wordsmiths and raconteurs.

First up will be short sets by rising stars fresh from the morning’s Performance Poetry Masterclass. They will share the stage with Aneirin Karadog, rapping multilingually with a seasoning of cynghanedd and Martin Daws, who never fails to delight with his tongue-twisting beat-box slam rhythms. Also featured is Rufus Mufusa, rapper, spoken word poet, comedienne with a whole heap of funk in her trunk; the award winning writer Joe Dunthorne, performance poet as part of literary collective Aisle 16; and Molly Naylor, writer, performer, poet and theatre- maker whose poetry explores the people and places that inspire, interest, bewilder or amuse her.

Venue: Upstairs Bar

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3pm Wales: Rugby Nation?

Former Welsh rugby union player and coach of London Welsh, Wales, the Barbarians and the British Lions, John Dawes OBE and poet Owen Sheers, Artist in Residence for the Welsh Rugby Union in 2012 will discuss Wales’ obsession with rugby.

Ross Reyburn’s book ‘John Dawes: changed the world of Rugby’ was recently published. Owen's non-fiction work on the Welsh team, ‘Calon’ was published earlier this year.

This event will be chaired by Jasper Rees.

Venue: Main Hall

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4pm Mary Medlicott: Travels With my Welsh Aunt

Hilarious and moving by turns, storyteller Mary Medlicott revisits her one-woman tribute in stories to her redoubtable Aunty Mali.

Well-known for her work in performance, schools and community settings, Mary has been one of the leading lights of the storytelling revival in Britain. She is also a published author and a long-term member of the London Welsh Chorale. As an oral storyteller, she has recently been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Award 2014.

Venue: Upstairs Bar

6 5pm Emily McLaughlin: The Royal Court Theatre Inside Out

Having worked with the London Welsh Centre on the Royal Court’s Theatre Local initiative this summer, Emily McLaughlin presents Britain’s most illustrious theatre for new writing. Emily joined the Royal Court as Education Officer in 2002 and became an Associate Director in 2005 responsible for the Court’s 50th anniversary events in 2006. She and Ruth Little co-edited ‘The Royal Court Theatre Inside Out’ (Oberon Books 2007). In 2007 Emily became the Artistic Associate and since then has been a senior script-reader, a director, co-ordinator and judge for the 2008 George Devine award, and creative producer for Open Court 2013.

Venue: Upstairs Bar ------

5pm Sioned Wiliam: Lansiad llyfr / book launch

Bydd Sioned yn lansio ei nofel newydd ‘Dal i Fynd’ (Y Lolfa). Dywedodd Bethan Gwanas amdani: “Tonic o nofel! Wedi chwerthin yn uchel ond yn agos at ddagrau weithiau hefyd.”

Sioned is well known in the British TV comedy scene; in her former role of ITV Network Comedy Controller she was responsible for commissioning many popular comedy shows.

Venue: Main Hall

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7.30pm DT100: The Centenary

In 2014 Wales and the rest of the world will celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth. Joining us in an evening preview of these celebrations will be Thomas’ granddaughter and honourable Patron of DT100, Hannah Ellis, leading Welsh poet and novelist Owen Sheers, and expert on Dylan Thomas' work Dr John Goodby. The Kane Players will provide musical interludes.

7.30pm The Dylan Thomas Centenary

DT100 Festival Co-ordinator Pablo Janczur, Hannah Ellis, Owen Sheers and Dr John Goodby discuss the legacy of Dylan Thomas’ work, with reference to Dr John Goodby’s book ‘The Poetry of Dylan Thomas: Under the Spelling Wall’ (Liverpool University Press, 2013).

8.30pm The Kane Players

The Kane Players were formed by Cardiff native Bernard Kane. Bernard is a violist, composer and actor and holds degrees from the University of British Columbia (Doctor of Musical Arts), Yale University (Master of Music), and the Royal College of Music, London (Bachelor of Music with Honours).

9pm Owen Sheers: Under Milk Wood

9.45pm The Kane Players featuring soprano Yvette Coleman

Canadian Soprano Yvette Coleman joins The Kane Players for a fitting festival finale.

Venue: Main Hall

7 Acknowledgements / Diolchiadau

The Festival Team

Organiser: Iain Richards

Marketing and Administration: Rhian Jones, Karen Gregory and Abdul Rahyead

Bar and Catering: Imanol Barcenilla and Joanna Foster

Artwork and Design: Gruff Ywain

Sound and Light: Mitchell Palmer and David Evans

Music Curator: Estelle Wilkinson

Press: Robin Turner

Literature Programming Partner: Literature Wales/Llenyddiaeth Cymru

Programme: Almac

Sponsors and Funding

• Dylan Thomas Centenary (DT100) fund • Literature Wales/Llenyddiaeth Cymru • Elizabeth Siberry • Estelle Wilkinson • London Welsh Centre Trust/Ymddiriedolaeth Canolfan Cymry Llundain

Special Thanks / Gyda diolch arbennig

Hollie, Leusa, Lleucu and Bronwen at Literature Wales/Llenyddiaeth Cymru, John Rostron and the Welsh Music Foundation, Marc Thomas at the Welsh Music Prize, Robin Turner and all at Caught by the River, Jack Humphries and Malcolm Bull at the Aber Valley Heritage Museum, Roy Noble, John Roberts, Mererid Hopwood, Hannah Ellis, Trefor Ellis, Rob Holt, Pablo Janzcur and all at DT100, Steve Holt and the Welsh Government Office in London, Brian Roper, Brecknock School, Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain, Holly Gladwell at the Royal Court Theatre, the team at Y Lolfa, Daniela at Poetry London, Elizabeth Siberry, Rob Jones, Carys Jones and Huw Stephens. And to all the wonderful contributors and performers: Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Refreshment options (including hot and cold food and drink) will be available throughout the festival. On Saturday October 3rd there will be a break from 6pm-7.30pm where you can enjoy dinner in our bar or lounge.

8 Coming up at the London Welsh Centre Digwyddiadau Canolfan Cymry Llundain

We will be showing all Wales’ autumn rugby internationals: November 9th, 16th, 22nd and 30th

12/10 Gŵyl Halibalŵ Llundain

19/10 Bloomsbury Festival at the Centre featuring:

2-5pm Dylan Thomas Centenary showcase 5-6pm The Work of Dylan Thomas 6-7pm RACK Poets Present… 7.30-9.30pm Performance of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood 9.30pm Lowri Evans’ album launch

24/10 Grŵp Merched Clebran Women’s Group – Halloween Walk

26/10 Cwtsh

26/10 Young Welsh Singer of the Year / Canwr Ifanc y Flwyddyn

7.30pm Tickets (£20) for sale at the London Welsh Centre or online

02/11 Cwrs undydd Cymraeg / One day Welsh course

09/11 + 23/11 Cwtsh

07/12 Cwtsh

08/12 Gwasanaeth Naw Llith a Charolau / Nine Lessons and Carols

For full details of our events please visit our website.

Regular activities at the Centre:

 Monday Welsh classes / Dosbarthiadau Cymraeg

 Tuesday London Welsh Chorale rehearsal

 Wednesday Gwalia Male Voice Choir rehearsal

 Thursday London Welsh Male Voice Choir rehearsal Welsh classes / Dosbarthiadau Cymraeg Cylch Siarad yn y bar

First Tuesday of the month: Mitch & Friends acoustic night in the bar www.londonwelsh.org Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Charity Number: 232672