Community articles seek to build solidarity using art and culture to tackle ecological crisis, as well as providing models for new community projects. Here, Simone Mansell-Broome shares the experience of creating an anthology to tackle the issue of river pollution.
In the Spring of 2023, Louise and Peter Weldon of the Seagull Gallery in Cardigan put out an open call for multi-media submissions to their second environmental exhibition – to be held in September 2023 – ‘Art on Troubled Waters’. The subject matter of the exhibition was Afon Teifi, and Louise’s underlying aim was to highlight the pollution of the river and the degradation of her wildlife.
Louise selected and curated entries, also requesting specific contributions from some local creatives, including me. Amongst the art, ceramics, glass, photography, film, etc there were ten writers, all from the West Wales area. At the end of the exhibition, it was decided that an anthology should be created of the work – mostly poetry – produced for the show, and that it would be called ‘Words on Troubled Waters’. One of the visual artists from the exhibition, Ann Fletcher-Williams, agreed that two of her pieces could be used for the front and back cover of the book. The writers included in the anthology are – Kathy Miles, Sue Moules, Jane Campbell, Ann Jay, Jackie Biggs, Simone Mansell Broome, Julia Angell, Kittie Belltree, Josie Smith and Amanda Pickering. I edited the book and jointly set up an imprint – Lutra River Press – to publish it.
Our intent in producing this book is to continue the raising of public awareness about the Teifi. The venture is not for personal gain and any profits made are being donated to local river charities. The anthology is printed in the UK on unbleached recycled paper and card using environmentally friendly inks. We are proud of the quality we have achieved in such a short timeframe – within its slender covers the content sings loud and clear.
We held our first launch at Mulberry Bush Wholefoods in Lampeter, and we’re currently sourcing further readings along the course of the Teifi and beyond. For example, we have a celebratory event for the book at Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan on Saturday September 14th 2024. We – some of the ‘Words on Troubled Waters’ writers will be piggybacking on that event, so we’ll be there before, during and after (the whole afternoon) to raise awareness and promote the book.
As creative people passionate about our natural resources, we have to use what talents we have to help…and link up with other concerned groups and initiatives. People have a low boredom threshold so I’m not sure creating an anthology would work for every issue, but, in this instance, it has been doubly positive – creating a wider audience for both cause and book.
Words on Troubled Waters is for sale at various (and increasing) local venues, including Oriel Ty Llwyd in St. Dogmaels, Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran, Cariad Glass and The Acorn Studio in Llandysul. It is available through my website – www.simonemansellbroome.com and can be bought from Amazon and gwales.com or ordered from all good book shops. The book retails for £6.50. My next project, (an illustrated children’s story about a delusional frog), will be published by Lutra River Press this year and is also intended to raise funds, this time for Welsh wildlife charities.
Simone Mansell Broome’s a Welsh-born envirophile. She’s written nine books – poetry, memoir and children’s fiction. Published in magazines, eZines and anthologies, produced commissions for ITV, radio & Welsh venues. Current projects – promoting the charity eco-anthology, Words on Troubled Waters, (first publication of Simone’s new Lutra River Press), curating an exhibition – ‘Arts at Ceridwen’, & editing another children’s book. www.simonemansellbroome.com / www.LutraRiverPress.uk / www.artsatceridwen.co.uk
Modron Magazine 