The Remarkable Lynn Trowbridge

by Shane Anderson

Taking on the leadership of any community group, particularly such a well-respected and dynamic one as Hay Writers’ Circle (HWC), is not a task to be taken on lightly. It requires focus, commitment and no small amount of energy. Fortunately for happy foot soldiers like myself, there are those impressive souls who not only enjoy such a challenge but relish it.

Early one afternoon in September 2025, I joined fellow member of the Hay Writers’ Circle, Emma van Woerkom, in Brecon town to meet such a person, someone who through a fusion of talent, strength of character and sense of purpose, has conjured up not just wonderful things for HWC but a rich and fulfilling life for herself. And all this from a rather inauspicious start.

At the time of our get-together, Lynn Trowbridge is fast approaching her 102nd birthday. It would be easy to venerate her for this fact alone, but this would do her a great disservice. You only need to read her books ‘A Life is What You Get’ and ‘Random Ramblings of a Nonagenarian’ to recognise that at her core, this woman is a powerhouse. She may no longer be able to control a bolting horse nor use this same athletic prowess to fill her display cabinets with silverware, but given her mental acuity, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if – given the chance – she could, once again, win a car for her management skills.

As we talk, she outlines her HWC successes with honesty, wit and humour and is always quick to give those involved in each undertaking equal or sometimes greater billing – an approach very much reflected in her books.

Lynn begins by telling us how from the outset it was obvious to her, given that within the group there were both published and unpublished writers, a new HWC focused print medium was required; one that served the needs of every member regardless of their publishing status or experience. It would also be best if this were not just a one-off, as had been produced before, but a year in, year out publication. There was only one contender: a magazine, an annual one, sustained and funded by advertising and sales.

Lynn took charge of its front cover, general layout and production (through a printer in Llandrindod Wells) while the then treasurer, Ann Riviere, (who sadly died last year) became very adept at selling advertising space to local businesses. This usually more than covered the printing costs. It went on sale at roughly £2.50 and featured members’ poetry, fiction and non-fiction – all fully illustrated by Joan Charleton, a well-known local artist and HWC member. The magazine was issued in time to greet the crowds attending the Hay Festival.

It was at this point Lynn inadvertently pulled off something of a coup. The magazine was proving popular with locals and festival goers alike, however, it was not yet offered for sale in the festival bookshop. To Lynn’s mind, this was a glaring oversight and one she tried to remedy. Unfortunately, her written request was turned down by those in charge of the bookshop who stated that, at that time, they could only stock the publications of those authors appearing at the festival.

But all was not lost, for on hearing of this, Peter Florence, then director of the Hay Festival, came forward with an extraordinary offer, one no-one had asked for but he was happy to provide: a one hour slot at the next Hay Festival.

And so began something else Lynn became famous for. At each HWC meeting members would, as they do now, read their work. If this received a favourable response from those attending, Lynn would request a copy which she then placed in a green folder. Over that first year and her succeeding ones, the contents of that green folder formed the backbone of the next performance. Not that being sandwiched between its folds granted automatic acceptance. To assure fairness and parity, the hour was shared out equally amongst those performing. No matter how good a particular piece was, if it were too long, Lynn would ask for it to be edited. This was a hard and fast rule.

Lynn was in her nineties and had just suffered a heart attack when she stepped away from both the HWC chair and being a member. She had been in post for ten years. A decade which produced an era of sustained HWC publishing – ten magazines in all – which has never been matched since. Nor have the Hay Writers’ Circle’s coffers ever been so full. During her tenure, many writers not only saw their endeavours appear in print for the first time, but were also given the opportunity to perform their pieces to the public as part of the Hay Festival.

As the afternoon continued, Emma, a published poet, who joined during Lynn’s reign as a ‘youngster’ (Lynn’s words – Emma was forty), bears testament to all Lynn’s achievements. However, the easy rapport and mutual respect shown between these two friends of longstanding helps tell another story – and an important one. Lynn achieved what she did not just though obvious dynamism, but also through warmth, humanity and caring.

As a final accolade, in 2019, a year which marked the Hay Writers Circle’s fortieth anniversary, Peter Florence, opened our appearance at the festival with a speech in which he affirmed not only how important he felt writers were to any community, but also how the support of local writers lay at the very heart of the festival. Long may it be so.

AND long may it also be that we are graced with the presence of Miss Lynn M Trowbridge. A woman who spent much of her young life in a home for ‘waifs and strays’ only to spend the greater part of it motivating, inspiring and achieving.

Happy birthday, Lynn.

 – Cosy Up with Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2025

Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2025 programme is out now, promising a wonderland of ideas and inspiration, 26–30 November.

For more information on events and tickets etc – CLICK HERE

– 2025 Fiction Competition now open

Submissions are now invited for our annual Fiction Competition, The Frances Copping Memorial Prize 2025, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020.

The competition is open to everyone, members of Hay Writers’ Circle and non-members too. Pieces of 500-1500 words on any fiction theme are accepted. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 6th January 2026. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place.

Please follow the guidelines listed on our COMPETITIONS page if you would like to enter.

You can contact writers4haycomp@gmail.com if you have any questions or queries. 

Click on the link below to download the entry form :

Frances Copping Prize 2025 entry proformaDownload

Good luck!