Dave is booked for new role
He has written his own books and given talks on important literature.
Now Dave Andrews has been named Oswestry Library's first reader/writer in residence and says he is looking forward to helping people to love both English and Welsh writing.
His first official duty, however, had a Scottish theme with a talk on Robert Burns, appropriately on the afternoon of Burns Night. Listeners were also invited to read their own favourite Burns poem or listen to one of his songs.
Mr Andrews, who lives near Oswestry has contributed regularly to the library’s popular Learning at Lunchtime programme. He has published nine books and is currently working on his tenth, ‘Wilfred Owen: Poet of Oswestry’.
"I’m absolutely thrilled to be Oswestry Library’s first Reader and Writer in Residence," he said.
"I’ve really enjoyed giving talks at the library on various aspects of English and Welsh literature during the last eighteen months and I’m looking forward to contributing to the 2018 programme of ‘Learning at Lunchtime’ talks and to giving creative writing workshops for new and experienced writers.
"I like to involve the audience in my talks and always invite comment and discussion. I think this is one reason why I tend to choose for my talks well-known authors such as Robert Burns, Thomas Hardy, Dylan Thomas and Wilfred Owen, and well-known works such as 'Wuthering Heights'. I'm looking forward as well to the opportunity to talk about the medieval Welsh stories called The Mabinogion which have influenced so much writing in English and other languages.
"I'm also keen to support and encourage local writers who work in either English or Welsh. Both languages have been important in Oswestry’s history and are central to its identity and heritage. Come along and talk to me at one of my free monthly ‘Writing Surgeries’ at the library."
