Only Connect

The new booksellers map and leaflet came out just before Easter and the Independence Celebrations, organised by Addymans, as usual. Last year, the leaflets were black text on a dark red background, which some people found difficult to read. This year the leaflet is a light orange - to match as closely as possible the cover of Eugene Fisk's last book, Only Connect.
This book is sub-titled "Encounters with refugees on days out in Wales". The Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees group organise days out in the countryside for refugees who have ended up in South Wales. Eugene Fisk wanted to help with this, and as he was an artist, his way of helping was to draw portraits of the people who came on the days out. Eventually this turned into a book.
Sadly, Eugene died shortly before the launch of the book, which was held earlier this afternoon as the last event in the Hay Independence Celebrations, at the Globe. The books are £12 each, and the money goes to the charity, which also collects items such as bedding, computers, clothing and homeware to go to people who need help. They also talk to our elected representatives to help improve conditions for people seeking asylum or refuge.