Personal Collections

Amabel Williams-Ellis, writing out of rural Wales

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17 April, 2023

Resident artist at Plas Brondanw in rural North Wales, Siw Thomas talks to Helen Thomas about the writer Amabel Williams-Ellis, the importance of self-education and writing in her life, and making space for her creative work within the traditional women’s role managing family and home. Siw speaks of Williams-Ellis’ relationship with her husband Clough Williams-Ellis, architect of the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales, which was the setting for a British TV series in the 1960s called The Prisoner. Wife and husband wrote a few books together, including The Pleasures of Architecture.

 

The orangery steps at Plas Brondanw.

In April and May 2023, Siw Thomas and Christine Mills held a series of workshops at Plas Brondaw about Amabel Williams-Ellis and her archive, exploring how themes in her writing are relevant today.

Amabel Williams-Ellis, writing out of rural Wales

Resident artist at Plas Brondanw in rural North Wales, Siw Thomas talks to Helen Thomas about the writer Amabel Williams-Ellis, the importance of self-education and writing in her life, and making space for her creative ...