YSTRADGYNLAIS CREATIVE WRITING GROUP – FESTIVE TALES TOUR

It is an absolute pleasure and most satisfying to facilitate this diverse group of writers. Some members have never written stories since school. The group has been running for three years and is based at Ystradgynlais Library. The membership, aged 23 to 83, is diverse, and we pride ourselves on inclusivity. In 2023, we published the first ‘Anthology of Collected Stories – 500 Words’ https://amzn.eu/d/7Nu5xQF and look forward to publishing Volume 2 in early 2025. The National Lottery Community Fund supported the group with a Development Grant in the summer of this year. The award was presented by Carole Morgan Hopkin, artist, author and poet.

A Creative Writing competition for all ages helped to increase interest in story-telling, and there is yet another in the wings. Guest authors drop in every six weeks and share their journey as writers, and we visited the Hay Literature Festival this year.

And so we ended this year with a Festive Tales Tour and had the honour of performing the group’s work at the Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre and in the ancient 6th Century Llangwig Church. The tour began for a home audience at Ystradgynlais Library.

Ystradgynlais Creative Writing Group Festive Tales Tour – Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Grateful Thanks to:

Ystradgynlais Library, Powys County Council, National Lottery Community Fund, Oystermouth Radio, Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre, Llangwig Trust, Carole Morgan Hopkin. Jo Paine (Chairperson), Paul Rees (Secretary), Mark Hopton, Emily Northey, Jode Pegge-Jones, Tony Pegge-Jones, Pam Moon, Jayden Trott, Ruth Peace, Sentient Coven and Laura Price.

Facilitator – Lazarus Carpenter

Kenneth Grahame

Kenneth Grahame was a Scottish author born in Edinburgh on March 8, 1859. He is best known for his children’s classic “The Wind in the Willows,” published in 1908, which has become a beloved work celebrated for its whimsical characters and exploration of nature and friendship. Grahame’s early life was marked by tragedy; his mother died when he was just five years old, and he was raised by his father and later his grandmother. He studied at Oxford University, where he developed a love for literature. After graduating, he worked in the Bank of England, a career that lasted for many years.

In addition to “The Wind in the Willows,” Grahame wrote other notable works, including “The Reluctant Dragon” and “Dream Days.” His writing often reflects themes of nostalgia, nature, and the passage of time. Grahame’s later years were marred by personal challenges, including the tragic death of his son, Alistair, in 1920. He passed away on July 6, 1932, leaving a literary legacy that continues to enchant readers of all ages. 

Kaya – Dark Tales from the Outback Abstract

Once, in the remote Australian outback, there lived an aborigine named Kaya. He was a skilled tracker and hunter who roamed the vast, desolate lands with an air of quiet confidence. Kaya had always felt a deep connection to the spirits of the land, and his people often spoke of the ancient stories that warned of the dangers lurking in the wilderness. One moonless night, Kaya set out on a hunting expedition, guided only by the faint glow of the stars. His senses were sharp, and he moved through the rugged terrain with the ease of a shadow.

As he ventured deeper into the heart of the outback, a strange unease settled over him. The usual sounds of the night were absent, and an eerie silence enveloped the land. Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the stillness, causing Kaya to halt in his tracks. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he tried to locate the source of the chilling cry. Following the sound, he stumbled upon a clearing where he saw a lone kangaroo, its eyes wide with terror as it desperately tried to escape an unseen force.

Kaya watched in horror as the kangaroo was dragged into the darkness by an unseen entity, its screams fading into the night. The aborigine felt a chill run down his spine, for he knew that the spirit world held many dark and malevolent forces. He knew he had stumbled upon something sinister, something beyond his understanding. Determined to uncover the truth, Kaya embarked on a quest to seek guidance from the wise elders of his tribe.

They revealed to him the ancient legend of a vengeful spirit that had been unleashed upon the land, seeking to wreak havoc on the living. The elders warned Kaya that the spirit had taken the form of a monstrous kangaroo driven by an insatiable thirst for blood. Armed with the knowledge passed down by his ancestors, Kaya set out to confront the malevolent spirit. Armed with ancient symbols and blessed talismans, he ventured back into the wilderness. As he delved deeper into the treacherous terrain, the air grew thick with an otherworldly presence, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet.

Finally, he came face to face with the monstrous kangaroo, its eyes glowing with an unholy light. The creature lunged at Kaya with supernatural speed and ferocity, but the aborigine stood his ground, wielding the protective symbols and chanting the sacred incantations. A fierce battle ensued as Kaya fought to banish the vengeful spirit from the mortal realm. The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and twist around them, and the night itself seemed to hold its breath as the two clashed in a struggle that transcended the physical world. In the end, with a final burst of mystical energy, Kaya managed to seal the spirit away, restoring peace to the land.

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the outback was once again filled with the sounds of life, and Kaya knew he had fulfilled his duty as a guardian of his people. From that day on, the legend of Kaya and the malevolent kangaroo spirit became a cautionary tale, a reminder of the ancient forces that still linger in the wild places of the world. And though the memory of that fateful encounter would always haunt him, Kaya continued to roam the outback with a newfound sense of purpose and a deep respect for the mysteries of the land.

Over time, Kaya’s reputation as a protector and a keeper of ancient wisdom spread far and wide, and he became a revered figure among his people. Years passed, and Kaya’s hair turned grey, but his spirit remained unyielding. He passed down the knowledge he had gained to the younger generations, teaching them to honour the delicate balance between the physical and spiritual realms. His story became a part of the oral tradition, woven into the tapestry of his people’s history as a testament to the enduring power of courage and wisdom.

As the seasons changed and the land continued to whisper its secrets, Kaya’s name became synonymous with resilience and reverence for the natural world. His legacy endured, and the memory of his heroic encounter with the malevolent kangaroo spirit lived on as a reminder of the dangers that lay hidden in the heart of the outback. The tale of Kaya and the vengeful spirit served as a timeless lesson, teaching the importance of humility and the need to safeguard the delicate harmony between humanity and the ancient forces that dwelled in the shadows. It became a parable of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the profound connection that binds all living things.

And so, in the vast expanse of the Australian outback, Kaya’s story echoed through the ages, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of the unknown. And though the world continued to change, the legend of Kaya and the malevolent kangaroo spirit remained etched in the very fabric of the land, a testament to the enduring legacy of a humble aborigine who had stood against the darkness and triumphed.

Émile Zola

Émile Zola was a prominent French novelist and playwright, born on April 2, 1840, in Paris and died on September 29, 1902. He is best known for his significant contributions to the literary movement known as Naturalism, which sought to depict life and society with a scientific approach, focusing on the influence of the environment and heredity on human behaviour.

Zola’s literary career began in the 1860s, and he gained fame for his series of novels called “Les Rougon-Macquart,” which explores the lives of a single family under the Second Empire in France. Notable works include “Germinal,” which addresses the struggles of coal miners, and “Nana,” which examines the world of a Parisian courtesan.

Beyond his novels, Zola was also an outspoken political figure. He famously defended Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer wrongfully convicted of treason, in his open letter “J’accuse…!” published in 1898. This act of courage made him a key figure in the fight against anti-Semitism and injustice in France.

Zola’s literary legacy is marked by his detailed realism and social commentary, influencing writers and movements well beyond his time. His works remain significant in the study of literature and social issues.