THE FRIENDS OF THE WELSH BOOKS COUNCIL

What are the Friends?

• The Friends of the Welsh Books Council was established in 1995 with the intention of creating a group of supporters for the work of the Council in general who would, in particular, channel their efforts to promoting Welsh books and books of Welsh interest.
  
  
• By keeping in regular contact with the Friends, the Books Council can keep them up to date with the latest developments regarding books in Wales, and this is available for an annual membership fee of £15.
  
  
• By now, the Friends are going from strength to strength, holding annual meetings at which some of our foremost writers are guest speakers. To date, Jan Morris, Emyr Humphreys and the late R. S. Thomas have been discussing their work and the influences on their creative writing.
  
  
• The Friends also have their own magazine – Y Cyfaill / The Friend – edited by Lyn Lewis Dafis of Aberystwyth. This is full of interesting snippets of information about the book scene in Wales, and about the literary interests of some of the members.
  
  
• The first Chairman of the Friends was the late Alun Creunant Davies, former Director of the Books Council who died in 2005.

Honorary Presidents
 
Three of Wales’s most prominent authors have been presented with the title of Honorary Presidents of the Friends of the Welsh Books Council, namely Emyr Humphreys, Jan Morris and Islwyn Ffowc Elis.

The contribution of all three to the literatures of Wales has been immeasurable. Islwyn Ffowc Elis is regarded as a pioneering Welsh-language novelist and is also known for his contribution as a literary critic.  Emyr Humphreys also came into prominence as a young novelist, developing later as a poet and prolific television dramatist.  Jan Morris became internationally recognised for her travel writing but has also produced numerous volumes that deal specifically with Wales.
 
The three Honorary Presidents have noted their appreciation on receiving the honour:

	‘One of the most exciting stories in the history of our culture is the development of the Welsh Books Council, and now the Council has a strong bond of Friends to support its work.  It gives me great pleasure to be one of their Honorary Presidents.’ Islwyn Ffowc Elis
	‘In an age of hectic technological development and global communication, the book remains by far the most effective literary vehicle.  It is, therefore, very reassuring to know that in Wales we have a bilingual Books Council devoted to the well-being of the book.’ Emyr Humphreys
	‘The Books Council is not just an invaluable instrument for the distribution and understanding of books in both the language of Wales: it is a declaration that the nation really does care about that fundamental of civilized life, the written word.’ Jan Morris

Officers of the Friends

The Friends at Work

• The Friends are represented on the Council’s main governing body, giving them an opportunity to convey the opinions and wishes of the members.
  
  
• Any gifts or contributions received by the Friends are utilised to support the work of the Books Council.

What are the benefits of membership?

By becoming a member of the Friends of the Books Council, you will receive regular information about the book scene in Wales, by means of a termly information pack containing materials such as:

• A copy of the bilingual newsletter Y Cyfaill / The Friend – a lively magazine published especially for the Friends.
  
  
• Extensive lists of all books published in Wales during the preceeding months, together with a list of books to be published in the near future.
  
  
• A voucher to the value of £2.50 in each pack, to be exchanged for any book of your choice.
  
  
• A free copy of the periodical Welsh Book Studies, the annual publication of the Aberystwyth Centre for the Book.
  
  
• An invitation to the Friends’ Annual General Meeting.
  
  
• Copies of any books catalogues produced by the Books Council, together with catalogues and lists produced by various publishers, listing their latest publications.
  
  
• A full list of the books that will be sold at half price or less in the Books Council’s annual sale.
  
  

How to join the Friends

You are invited to join the Friends for an annual fee of £15, or £125 for a ten year membership. Life members can pay by covenant.

Please send for more details, and a membership form, to:

The Secretary of the Friends
Welsh Books Council
Castell Brychan
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 2JB
Tel: 01970 624151 Fax: 01970 625385
Or send an e-mail to: elwyn.jones@wbc.org.uk