“Llangwm’s fifth literary festival is a wonderful showcase for Pembrokeshire talent,” says Michael Pugh, Director of the Llangwm Literary Festival.

“We some very powerful images from the renowned photographer David Wilson who lives in the village.” continues Pugh. In his book ‘The Village’, David’s images capture the soul of Llangwm’s tight knit former fishing community. These images are all the more important because many of them were taken during lock-down. It is amazing to look back and see how far we’re advanced from there and how the human spirit can triumph over adversity.

Local artist and photographer, Ian Jacob, who was born in Llangwm and lives there now is excited to be unveiling his first book at the festival. ‘Body Rock Sand’ is the fruition of an idea that developed in Jacob’s mind when, as a young art student, he was captivated by the images of Lucien Clergue’s, ‘Née de la Vague’ (Born of the Waves). Clergue’s images are the inspiration for Ian’s very own images on the interplay of skin, sea and sand in Pembrokeshire’s beaches.

Body Rock Sand by Ian Jacob, Llangwm Litfest
(Pic. Ian Jacob)

St Davids-based master-forager Julia Horton-Mansfield returns to the festival for the fifth time to invite guests to ‘Come Forage with Me’ and explore the richness of the Cleddau shoreline and to find out more about the health-giving properties of the delicious foods literally growing all around us. On a darker note, and for those who enjoy a spine-tingler, Llangwm-based writer, Pippa ‘the Pen’ Davies, joins Pembrokeshire’s Diana Powell, and Maggie Himsworth for the unveiling of an intriguing Crime Cymru anthology of short stories by Welsh Women and to explore what it is that attracts us to read about crime!

For those who have their own story to tell, Narberth’s Emma Baines will be running ‘Write by the River’; a creative workshop on the Cleddau for those who wish to write about the mighty river and what it means to them.

Poets, and writers, and anyone who just wants to share a poem or song are warmly invited to Llangwm rugby club’s ‘Poems and Pints’. This year’s session, inspired by the themes of Joyce’s Ulysses, and Poems of War in connection with Ukraine, promises to be very high-octane indeed. No festival in Wales would be complete without a song, and Llangwm is no exception with its bold Village Voices to entertain with their latest repertoire.

Llangwm’s Ellie Brick, in support of the idea that you need a fit body to get the best out of your mind, will be blowing the cobweb’s away with a Sunday morning stretch and dance.

And for those who just want to sit back, leave it to Deb Winter, local storyteller extraordinaire. Her tales will take you to new horizons and undiscovered worlds.


For more information on the festival, contact [email protected], or visit www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk | Facebook: Llangwmlitfest | Twitter: Llangwmlitfest1