Portmeirion Centenary Talks 3: Debbie Jewson

Portmeirion Centenary Talks 3: Debbie Jewson

A.A. Milne at Plas Brondanw: Winnie the Pooh at 100

As part of the Centenary celebrations for Portmeirion, the Susan Williams-Ellis Foundation (YSWEF), which is responsible for running the historic house and arts centre at Plas Brondanw, have organised this series of talks on aspects of the village’s history

A. A. Milne was working for the satirical magazine Punch in 1922, when he went on holiday to Plas Brondanw, the home of architect Clough Williams-Ellis. Milne was accompanied by the actor and friend Nigel Playfair and several others. In true Welsh style it rained non-stop, and the guests were confined to the house, all except Milne, who retired to the orangery to develop his new found talent for children’s verse.

Debbie expands on this little known history of Winnie the Pooh’s origins, and shares some highlights from her collection of Pooh books and toys.

Debbie Jewson is an author and collector based in North Wales. Her book '100 Years of Winnie-the-Pooh Stuffed Toys: A Collector's Guide' has recently been published. She has appeared on TV several times in connection with her Winnie the Pooh research, and is excited to deliver this talk as part of both Portmeirion and Winnie the Pooh’s centenary celebrations.

Tickets are priced at £15, £20 and £25. We hope these events will generate some income for YSWEF – a charitable foundation that aims to preserve and promote the Susan Williams-Ellis and other related archives, and to promote the arts – so please pay what suits your budget. There is no difference in terms of seating or provision for the different ticket types, everyone gets the same talk. Ticket price includes admission to Portmeirion from 4pm. Doors open at 5:00pm and the talk will commence at 5:30pm. This series will be through the medium of English.