Author of ‘My Mother and the Curate: Two diaries of life in Hay-on-Wye 1953 and 1870,’ Bridget Gubbins held a presentation at the Kilvert Society’s most recent annual general meeting at Bishop’s Palace in Hereford.

The meeting, on Friday 24 April, began with the committee welcoming its members followed by apologies, obituaries, finances and news regarding the society, their trips and roles within the committee changing.

A fine spread was put on for an evening meal, enjoyed by everyone along with a cup of tea or coffee.

Following the meal, author Bridget Gubbins showcased her book to the committee in a presentation discussing how and why she wrote it and where the idea stemmed from. It is the fourth book she has written surrounding Hay-on-Wye and its surrounding areas. She spoke about the inspiration of the book from a Brecon & Radnor Express article on her first book, which compared Bridget’s ‘Hay Before the Bookshops or the Beeman’s family,’ to having echoes of Kilvert’s Diary.

Bridget also told the society of the design of her book, with it being carefully designed by a young Ukranian designer, Mykyta Panichevykh, who had done the work while the drones were striking and where the flats in Kyiv had no heating.

“I have to say to myself, has it been worth it? And I think it is because I am very pleased with it,” said Bridget. “But to what extent it’s made Kilvert more familiar to the general public, that I don’t know. I hope it will because I think, and I think you will all agree, that Kilvert needs to be more well known and appreciated. To me, what attracts me about it is his pictures of rural life from that period, the landscape, the hovels, the smart people with the archery, that’s what I like about it first and foremost.”

Kilvert Society Secretary, Alan Brimson said: “Bridget, that is very, very interesting. I do thank you for your effort in coming and long may we see you as a member of the society.”

And Treasurer of the society, Richard Weston said: “That was fascinating, and we wish you the best with your endeavours on a range of topics and we are delighted that you have chosen Kilvert as one of them.”

Bridget sat down to sell and sign copies of her book. The very first two online buyers of her book turned out to be society members that were there on the night.

The book explores two diaries of life in Hay-on-Wye - one from 1953 by her mother, Mrs Eileen Ashton, and one from 1870 by Revd Francis Kilvert.

The book can be bought by emailing [email protected].

The Kilvert Society is on the look out for new members. The group offer subscribers a regular Journal, meet and go on visits surrounding the life and diaries of Reverend Francis Silver.

The groups Membership Secretary, Mrs Sue Rose can be contacted by email on [email protected] if you are interested in joining, or visit https://www.thekilvertsociety.org.uk