Aberdare Poet Launches Collection
November 24, 2008
A former Cynon Valley publican has turned poet by publishing her latest book of verse at Aberdare Library.
Jan Price, has had her new poetry book, called A Better Class of Doggerel, launched at a special event organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries and Museum Service.
The mother of five and grandmother of nine writes her poems based on her varied life and observations of the Welsh valleys.
“I have run three pubs, including one in Mountain Ash called the Jeffreys Arms,” said Mrs Price. “I used to listen to all the men in the bar and write ideas on betting slips under the bar. Then the men would recite their own poems back at me and we would have a bit of banter.”
Mrs Price, who lives in Aberaman Terrace, Aberaman, titled her book after comments from poet Nigel Jenkins, despite the fact doggerel means poor poetry.
She decided to write her own book after author Huw Parsons asked her to donate some poems for his book, A Brecon Revealed, which generated a lot of interest in her work.
The launch at Aberdare Library proved an outstanding success as Wales’s answer to Pam Ayres gave readings of her humourous work.
Entertainment was also provided by guitaritst Anthony Harland, poets Judy Toms and Nick Fisk and folk singer Huw Chidgey.
A Better Class of Doggerel, by Jan Price, is available from Aberdare Spinners, Aberdare Market, priced £4.
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