Writing group publishes book to raise £1,300 for cancer charity

A creative writing group has raised more than £1,300 for charity by publishing and selling their own book.

The Caerphilly-based group, called Tales Around the Teapot, published their book in March this year and have since sold all 180 copies.

The book, which is named after the group, contains a number of short stories and poems written by the group’s members.

All proceeds from the sale of the book have been donated to Maggie’s cancer support centre in Swansea, with the group handing over a cheque to the centre’s fundraising manager Lucia Osmond.

The charity is close to the writers’ hearts.

Delyth Jones, the daughter of group member Rhianwen Mills, was cared for at the centre before she passed away in September last year, aged just 43.

The book is dedicated to Delyth, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2017, and passed away while the book was being written.

Rhianwen said: “Maggie’s were amazing. They were there for Delyth and for me. They’re still here for me now.”

She added: “We self-published the book. A friend of ours did the graphics and we did all the editing ourselves.

“We’re really, really proud of the outcome.”

The stories and poems in the book are mainly fiction, but cover a variety of topics and themes aimed towards an adult audience.

Some of the stories are serious, while some are more light-hearted and humorous.

Fundraising manager Ms Osmond said she was “delighted” with the group’s donation.

She added: “At Maggies we offer free support to anyone affected by cancer. Currently there are two Maggie’s centres in Wales – one in Swansea next to Singleton Hospital and one in Cardiff Velindre Cancer Centre.

“As a charity we rely on the generosity of the community to keep our doors open so we hugely appreciate this kind donation from the writing group.”

Tales Around the Teapot

The Tales Around the Teapot group was set up in 2018 by retired social worker Rhianwen, alongside fellow-amateur writers Sonia Jones and Sherrall Morris.

The group soon grew to seven members after Angela Harney, Jenny Lewis, Diana Parsons and Joan Warburton came along to make it a group of seven.

Normally, the group meets at the Old Library Cafe in Caerphilly once a week to discuss their writing, set each other writing challenges and give each other feedback.

During the pandemic, the group has been unable to meet up in person, so have taken to video conferencing app Zoom to continue their weekly meet-ups.

Group member Angela, who is a retired sports and fitness lecturer, said creative writing has given the group “normality and relaxation” and has been a good way to relieve the stresses associated with lockdown.

She said being able to meet up over Zoom “kept us all sane”.

“We set each other tasks and give each other feedback. It’s all about encouragement and support.

“Everyone’s writing style is different – the book in an eclectic mix of stories.”