Planet Hay

I've been wanting to talk about this for quite some time now. I met Huw Parsons last year, after a friend I'd been to writing class with suggested my name to him as a 'character' around Hay! We spent a lovely afternoon together, while he took lots of photos of me in my re-enactment costumes, and we talked. It was all for a book he was writing, and taking all the photos for. He'd already had some success with A Brecon Revealed, and wanted to do the same for Hay.
Since then, I've met him fairly regularly round Hay, and he's always told me how he's getting on.
Well, now the book is ready for it's grand launch and, since I like Huw, and I've seen the proofs (and been impressed) and I'm in it, I really have to publish his press release here:

Press Release………….

PLANET HAY
Local photographer and writer Huw Parsons has just completed his new book “Planet Hay.” Like its predecessor “A Brecon Revealed” it’s an ad hoc collection of photographs and essays about the interesting people he’s met, the places he’s seen and the events he’s been to in Hay on Wye, during the last ten months of the book’s production.
Throughout that time Huw has been helped by several local people, including Anita Evans, Rob Soldat and Father Richard Williams & Curate Jimmy, who have not only acted as advocates in “opening doors” in the community, but have also contributed written pieces of their own.
The book features annual events such as “The Festival of Literature” and “Giffords Circus” as well as the weekly Thursday Market. Huw has tried to make “Planet Hay” as inclusive as possible, with features on Hay residents such as Sir Arnold Wesker and colourful characters like Lesley Arrowsmith (“Elen the Terrible”) and Brian Wilding who sweeps up at the market and also does practical odd jobs around the town. The book also contains many amazing photographs, which on their own would show just what a fascinating place Hay really is. With the addition of text and Huw’s slightly quirky slant on the town, this book is destined to become a landmark publication………
The Globe Gallery is holding a party (which is open to the public) to celebrate the book’s launch on Saturday, May 16th, from 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. Entertainment will be provided by “Li Harding & The Gary Phillips Trio” the poet Jan Price (Wales’ answer to Pam Ayres, only sharper!) the Arabian Dancers “Boliau Llawen/Joyful Bellies” and Rob Soldat as “The Green Knight.” Huw will of course be at the event and signed copies of “Planet Hay” will be available at £20 softback and £25 hardback. An unmissable event – be there!

Huw Parsons was born and grew up in Llyswen, a village some ten miles or so west of Hay. He was educated at Brecon Boys’ Grammar School and Chelsea College of Art. He has worked as a painter, filmmaker, lecturer, antique dealer, watch repairer and more recently, with the publication of “A Brecon Revealed” in the spring of 2007, as an author and photographer.
In many ways Huw is neither “fish nor fowl.” Despite being immersed in the local community, he has lived away for much of his life and as a border person is someone who sees himself as neither truly English nor Welsh. If asked about photography, he will claim to have little knowledge or understanding of it and try to talk about painting and vice versa. As for writing, he believes that he has no particular gift, except for being observant and having an ability to listen to others and to write down what they say in simple, descriptive English……………..

It really is a very good book, and a fun look at a lot of the different elements that go to make the town the slightly quirky place it is.