The final talk of my mini book tour of South Wales on the 3 October 2013 on the publication in the UK of the tenth in the
DI Andy Horton crime series,
Death Surge, was at Neath Library.
The town of
Neath
is situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot located on the
River Neath. It was a market town that expanded with the arrival of the
Industrial
Revolution in the 18th century with the new manufacturing industries
of
iron, steel and tinplate. But just as with the other towns in the
valleys of South Wales, it suffered from the decline of those industries
and the economic downturn in recent years. There is however a thriving
library community and a magnificent Public Library building opposite
Victoria Gardens, laid out in 1897.
 |
Pauline Rowson outside Neath Library
|
Here
I met with many friendly readers who were offered tea,
biscuits and chocolates on arrival. I talked about my crime novels and
my rugged and flawed detective, DI Andy Horton.I also answered some very interesting and searching questions and signed copies of my crime novels after my talk.
 |
Pauline Rowson answering questions about her crime novels at Neath Library
|
The Neath area is teeming with history. There are Bronze-Age burial
chambers and Iron-Age hill forts nearby and the Romans constructed a
fort at what is now Neath Abbey in the first century AD. With the Norman
Conquest of Glamorgan Sir Richard de Granville defeated the local Welsh
Lords and established a timber motte and bailey castle near Neath Abbey
in 1129. This was later destroyed by the native Welsh Lords. A second
castle was erected on the east bank of the River Neath - the site of the
present castle. Intermittent warfare between the Welsh and the Normans
continued for the next 150 years but peaceful conditions from the 14th
century onwards allowed the village to develop and for commerce to
expand. A river bridge was erected in 1320, trade flourished and regular
markets were held.
To this day there is a
market and fair attracting Traders from the UK and Europe for the four day event in September around the streets of Neath Town Centre.
 |
Pauline Rowson talking at Neath Library
|
I
didn't get much chance to explore Neath something that I will remedy next time on my travels. I
enjoyed my trip to Neath and my thanks to Paul Doyle for organising it
and hosting the event.
 |
Pauline Rowson chatting to readers and signing books at Neath Library
To see all my events for 2013 and 2014 visit the Events Page.
If you would like me to speak to your organisation, company or library please contact me.
|
Comments