List Of Writers

GRIFFITHS, GWYN

Tynbwlch, Llandraw, Maesycoed, Pontypridd, CF37 1EX
Tel: 01443 406203  /  0771 5554440
Email: gwyn.tynbwlch@talktalk.net  

Author / translator / journalist born in Swyddffynnon. He was educated at Tregaron County School, The City of Cardiff Training College and Cardiff University from where he has an M.Sc. (Econ) degree. He worked for the Welsh youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the Welsh language weekly newspaper Y Cymro and for BBC Wales as a press officer, head of press and new media journalist.

Gwyn is the author of two books in Welsh on Brittany, Crwydro Llydaw and Llydaw – ei llên a’i llwybrau, and two books on the Breton onion sellers who for over 175 years have been coming to Britain to sell strings of onions carried around on the handlebars of their bicycles.  Goodbye, Johnny Onions and The Last of the Onionmen were published in Welsh and English and the latter published in French under the title, Le Monde des Johnnies.

He has translated two plays by Tangi Malmanche from Breton into Welsh: Ar Baganiz (The Wreckers) and Intanvez Arzhur (The Widow).  Both were published in Dramau o’r Llydaweg (see list of publications below). He worked with Breton writer Jacqueline Gibson – The Turn of the Ermine – on an anthology of Breton literature, and literature about Brittany published in 2006.  Also in 2006, he wrote a history of the Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, which was published in two separate volumes – Welsh and English. 

Gwyn has initiated projects involving Wales and Brittany, notably establishing the original Breton onion sellers’ museum, La Maison des Johnnies, in Roscoff (1995) and a retrospective exhibition of the works of the Cornish artist Sydney Curnow Vosper in Le Fouët art museum, Morbihan (2001).  He also established a touring exhibition for Welsh museums about Brittany to mark the bi-centenary in 1997 of the birth of François-Alexis Rio, from the Morbihan, who had lived for many years in Abergavenny.

He has contributed to many newspapers in Wales, France and Brittany, written articles about Wales for publications in Brittany, and on Brittany for publications in Wales and done a lot of radio and TV work.  He has been a radio critic for the Western Mail and more recently for the Morning Star.  He continues to review books for the Morning Star.    

Reviews:

With respect to The Last of the Onion Men (Carreg Gwalch, Llanrwst, 2002):

“… vivid and lively … informative and entertaining … strongly recommended …” 
Sharif Gemie, Planet (Prill/May, 2003)

With respect to The Turn of the Ermine (co-editor and co-translator) (Francis Boutle Publishers, 2006):    

“… a treasure chest of Breton language writings with translations as well as other language works that bring a different perspective to Breton society, history and culture.” 
Dr Lois Kuter, Bro Nevez (May, 2006)

“… an impressive amount of literary material …” 
John Taylo, Times Literary Supplement (October 6, 2006)



Selected Publications:
Crwydro Llydaw  [Travels in Brittany] (Christopher Davies, 1977) 
Y Shonis Olaf [The last of the Breton Onion Men] (Gomer, 1981) 
Goodbye Johnny Onions (Dyllansow Truran, 1987)                                         
Llydaw – ei Llên a’i llwybrau  [Brittany – it’s literature and by-ways] (Gwasg Gomer, 2000)
The Last of the Onion Men (Carreg Gwalch, 2002)
Le Monde des Johnnies (Le Telegramme, 2002)       
Land of my Fathers (Carreg Gwalch, 2006)  

Contributed to:   
Dramâu o’r Llydaweg [Plays from the Breton] (co-writer) (Christopher Davies, 1982)        
The Turn of the Ermine (co-editor and co-translator) (Francis Boutle Publishers, 2006)    

Eligible Writers on Tour subjects offered:
1. Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – the anthem and its composers
2. Literature in Brittany
3. The Shoni Onion Men
4. Sydney Curnow Vosper in Wales and Brittany

These are suitable for older groups, apart from Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, which is suitable for all ages including Primary Schools.