Powys Society Conference 2015

 Room with a view of the River Dee
 from my window at the Hand Hotel, Llangollen,

venue for the 2015 Powys Society Conference

  Three days ago, I returned from spending the weekend at the Powys Society Conference, held this year in Llangollen.  It was my second conference and I was returning to give a talk on the life-philosophy of John Cowper Powys.  It was an oasis of talks, readings and numerous conversations on John Cowper and his brothers, Llewellyn and Theodore - a little world made up of all things Powys.  

Two of the talks focused on novels by JCP - Chris Thomas's on JCP's sources and Wolf Solent while Nicholas Birns discussed Porius and Owen Glendower.  Attention was turned to Theodore  in Robert Caserio's paper on Unclay and John Gray discussed the three Powys brothers' ideas on religion. 

 John Gray taking questions after his talk

 The final talk was my own and we were back with JCP but this time, not with his novels, but with his philosophy for living and its relevance to the 21st century and my plans to publish an anthology and summary of his ideas.

David Goodway introduces me to the audience

There was also an evening of readings during which members read their favourite passages from works of the Powys family.

 Listening to a selection of readings

 But the most enjoyable aspect of the conference were the conversations with other members, listening to their thoughts and opinions on the various books, the brothers themselves, and the settings for their novels.  It is always interesting to meet new people and this year there were several international visitors.

Sadly, all good things come to an end but I have come away richer for the experience in more ways than one...

 Some goodies for the winter nights from the book sale

http://www.powys-society.org/