Book helps Gwili up from lockdown
THE Gwili Railway is among the organisations benefitting from a newly published children’s book, thanks to the efforts of Scott Artus and Anne Signol.
“During lockdown I have completed the illustrations and artwork for a children’s book,” said Scott. “The book was written by my author cohort Anne, whom I’ve worked with for more than 30 years as her illustrator, and she wanted to support me during the Covid-19 crisis. We both lost our normal income streams.
“The book was created with the help of Carmarthenshire Council’s Welsh Government Freelancer Art and Cultural Recovery Fund. I used some of the funds to create the book and print the limited run copies of the first edition. We’ve used a local printer, thereby helping another Welsh business.”
From The Blitz To The Heart Of Wales tells a heart-warming tale set at the time of the 1940 Christmas blitz on Salford and Manchester. Little Arthur, Johnny and Lizzie are rescued by their teacher.
After a long and beautiful journey through the heart of mid-Wales, they arrive in the village of Llandybie.
The children learn about life on a rural farm and take part in school activities whilst learning Welsh and the culture of Wales.
Scott said: “The book was created and researched during lockdown.
“I spent a year illustrating it. We researched the clothes and farms, and which stations and trains to use.”
Anne said: “I remember the boys wore shorts until their late teenage years, so it must have been cold in winter.
“The station in Manchester that saw children and troops leaving on the trains was originally called London Road but is now called Piccadilly.
“I also remember travelling behind the ‘Black Five’ steam locomotives.”
The first run of the book is a limited edition of 500 copies, with more being printed as demand increases.
All proceeds are being shared between the Gwili Railway, Heart of Wales community projects, Llandybie Church, and the Llandeilo Hub.
Scott said: “We wish the Gwili Railway well and hope the book will continue to raise money for the line’s Loco Fund and other heritage railway projects.”
➜ For more information about the book, contact Scott at artuscreative@ icloud.com or telephone him on 01269 596396.