Ray Howard-Jones was an acclaimed poet-painter. She was born in England in 1903 of Welsh parents, but was brought up in Wales and lived and worked there for most of her life. She had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Wales, England, Scotland and Paris. She has works in collections in several institutions in Britain and abroad.
Ray Howard-Jones had a varied and colourful life. She trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, where she became a Senior Slade scholar and winner of many prizes as well as the Fine Arts Diploma. She was an Accredited War Artist, working, as the only woman, with the Royal Navy to record the D-Day shipping and the Army and RAF on Coastal Defence. The first year of the war found her organising classical concerts in the Cardiff parks. During this period she and Gomer Llywelyn Jones, the Welsh composer, ran the East Moors theatre in Cardiff. In 1946 she won first place, for that season, at the postgraduate Art College at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, where she worked under James Cowie. In 1949 she embarked on nine years of living and working on the uninhabited island of Skomer, where she produced distinguished botanical and ornithological illustrations. In 1958 she designed and executed a mosaic at Thompson House in Cardiff, and in 1963, one of the few true mosaics executed in this country, in Grange Church, Edinburgh. After this came several years of work in the National Museum of Wales dealing with archaeological reconstruction, for the published works of Sir Cyril Fox and Dr Nash-Williams. She wrote highly-regarded poetry, and was a pioneer of community arts.
Ray Howard-Jones died in 1996.
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Papers, 1883-1996, of, or acquired by, the artist Ray Howard-Jones (1903-1996), including correspondence, diaries, notes and draft poems, and papers relating to exhibitions, together with photographs and slides, and printed material.
A further group of papers of, or acquired by Ray Howard-jones was received June 2006. This group remains uncatalogued.
Arranged at NLW in two groups: personal papers, 1883-1996, and professional papers, 1927-1995.
Action: All papers donated to NLW have been retained..
Donated by the National Museum & Gallery , Cardiff per Mr Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art (with the approval of Nicola Purnell, formerly Pemberton, and Nigel Howard-Jones, the executors of Ray Howard-Jones's will), in November 1998; A1998/152.
A further box of papers was donated by Nicola Howard-Jones, June 2006.
No further papers expected.
In accordance with Ray Howard-Jones's will, her papers were transferred to the National Museum and Gallery, Cardiff, following her death in 1996.
Compiled by Rhiannon Michaelson-Yeates.
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: E. R. Blunson, 'Notes for an unknown biographer of Ray Howard-Jones', Anglo-Welsh Review, Summer 1968, pp. 54-60; Merlin James & David Stephenson, Ray Howard-Jones: the elements of an art, (The Rocket Press, 1996).
Works of art bequeathed to National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff. Slides, photographs, negatives and some printed works are in NLW, Special Collections.
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Copyright on material in the hand of Ray Howard-Jones was transferred (with the approval of her executors) from the National Museum & Gallery to NLW; usual copyright laws apply to letters written to Ray Howard-Jones.
A hard copy of this list is available at NLW.
Preferred citation: R
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The group consists of papers, 1883-1996, relating to the personal life of Ray Howard-Jones, including her correspondence and that of her family, her financial papers, diaries and journals, address books and passports, together with her educational papers, and papers relating to her interests and activities.
Arranged in seven series by record type: correspondence and papers, financial papers, diaries and journals, address books, passports, educational papers, and interests and activities.
Preferred citation: R1
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The series comprises family letters, letters from close friends, business letters and general correspondence, letters regarding health matters, letters from Ray Howard-Jones to family and friends, testimonials, and greetings cards.
Arranged in five sub-series: family letters, letters from friends, business letters, general correspondence, and miscellaneous letters and papers.
Preferred citation: R1/1
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The sub-series comprises letters to and from Ray Howard-Jones's grandparents, letters to Ray from her parents and from her brother and sister, letters to her mother and letters to other members of Ray's family.
Arranged in four files and chronologically within each folder.
Preferred citation: R1/1/1
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The file comprises letters, predominantly 1895, from Leonard Purnell to Polly, his wife, whilst he was in the Royal Navy, and includes letters to his children, Rosie, May and Arthur, together with one letter to Polly from Ivor, their son, whilst he was at sea with his father. The file includes one letter, 1885, to Mrs Purnell, and one to Leonard Purnell, 1922, containing details of his genealogy, together with his Freemasonry membership certificate, 1883.
Preferred citation: R1/1/2
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The file comprises letters relating to domestic and family news, and also includes three letters, 1910, from Ray Howard-Jones to her parents.
Preferred citation: R1/1/3
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The file comprises letters to Rosie Howard-Jones, from Bert, her husband whilst he was on active service, 1915-1916, and a letter, 1918, from the War Office advising her that her husband was entitled to one blue chevron for his active service in France; together with letters and postcards from her son on active service in Egypt, 1938-1941, and letters from Cairo from Ray Howard-Jones's sister to her mother and aunts.
Preferred citation: R1/1/4
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The file comprises letters relating to domestic and family news, and includes a letter of condolence, June 1996, to Ray Howard-Jones's niece on the death of her aunt Ray.
Preferred citation: R1/2
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The sub-series comprises letters from a friend named Gerald, letters from 'Gomer', a lifelong friend and colleague at the East Moors Theatre in Cardiff, and letters from Raymond Moore, photographer and her companion for many years.
Arranged as three files and chronologically within each folder.
Preferred citation: R1/2/1
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The file comprises letters relating to personal matters.
Preferred citation: R1/2/2
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The file comprises letters relating to personal matters, interspersed with numerous references to activities with the East Moors Theatre, and to Gomer Llywelyn Jones's profession as a musician and lecturer in USA.
Preferred citation: R1/2/3
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The file comprises letters including numerous references to Moore's profession as a teacher and photographer, and to various artistic projects undertaken by Ray Howard-Jones, and to the numerous exhibitions she attended.
Preferred citation: R1/3
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The sub-series comprises letters relating to insurances, including some insurance policies, and letters from solicitors and accountants, including letters relating to the Purnell family.
Arranged as two files and chronologically within each folder.
Preferred citation: R1/3/1
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Preferred citation: R1/3/2
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Preferred citation: R1/4
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The sub-series comprises letters to Ray Howard-Jones from various individuals, societies and organisations. The letters relate mainly to her profession as an artist and poet, but also include personal and domestic news.
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent and chronologically within each folder.
Some letters relating to exhibitions, and to Ray Howard-Jones's profession, may be found in H1-5.
Preferred citation: R1/4/1
The Association of Artists and Designers in Wales (AADW), was formed in Cardiff on 6 June 1974 by six artists from the urbanised south-east region of Wales, who sought to create a national organisation to represent artists of all disciplines. The organisation aimed to promote serious criticism and discussion, to protect and advance standards; to advise and assist members and public bodies and to co-operate with other organisations who were similarly involved; to create more and better opportunities for practise and study, and, more specifically, to establish active branches of the Association throughout Wales. By 1975, a year after AADW's formation six branches had been formed, and by 1981 there were eleven AADW branches throughout north, mid and south Wales, with the central office situated in Cardiff. Some branches had new gallery, studio and workshop buildings for the use of members, and several branches held regular series of talks, discussions and demonstrations throughout the year. The Association was mainly funded by the Welsh Arts Council, and obtained further revenue from members' subscriptions and rents from studio buildings. Additional income was derived from the magazine 'Link', published regularly by the Association, in order to provide news, information, criticism, reviews and comment on art and design matters. The decision-making role was taken by the National Executive Committee,which consisted of elected officers from each branch, and which, in effect, served as the voice of professional artists in Wales. Full membership was open to any professional artist in Wales, with other categories of membership for students and for those who were not professional artists, but who nevertheless worked to support the aims of the Association. By the mid-1980s there were several hundred members of the AADW, but by 1992, internal dissatisfaction with the way the affairs of the Association were being handled, together with under-funding and under-staffing at executive level, meant that the Association could not operate viably, and the decision was taken at the final AGM in March 1992 to wind down the AADW and form a new organisation for artists, named the Association of Visual Artists in Wales (AVAW). The AVAW, however, despite its many activities, was not as influential as the earlier organisation, and to all extents and purposes it ceased to operate fully after 1994. The Association was formally dissolved in 1998.
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The file includes letters from the Art Exhibitions Bureau, London (31), 1940-1961, the Ashgate Gallery, Surrey (18), 1961-1975, Association of Artists and Designers in Wales (7), 1975-1977, and the Attic Gallery, Swansea (25), 1970-1991.
Preferred citation: R1/4/2
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Preferred citation: R1/4/3
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The file includes letters from the artist James Cowie (24), 1946-1951, and the Dillwyn Gallery, Swansea (60), 1962-1973.
Preferred citation: R1/4/4
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Preferred citation: R1/4/5
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The file includes letters from the artist Hywel Harries (3), 1983, and from staff at the Art College, Hospitalfield, Arbroath (15), 1943-1946.
Preferred citation: R1/4/6
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The file includes letters from John Laurie (9), 1946-1951.
Preferred citation: R1/4/7
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The file includes letters from the Ministry of Information (85), 1942-1952, the Modern Art Gallery, London (2), 1942, Sir Thomas Monnington (1), 1973, Donald Moore (4), 1983-1988, and John Moores (2), 1953.
Preferred citation: R1/4/8
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The file includes letters from the National Museum of Wales (41), 1934-1992.
Preferred citation: R1/4/9
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The file includes letters from Peels Art Gallery, Kent (12), 1974.
Preferred citation: R1/4/10
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The file includes letters from the Royal Academy of Arts (9), 1944-1988, the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art (2), 1972, the Royal Scottish Academy (1), 1947, the Royal Society of British Artists (5), 1942-1949, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (1), 1945, and P. Wilson Steer (1), 1935.
Preferred citation: R1/4/11
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The file includes letters from Willie Tindal and his wife, Elfrida, (56), 1920s-1960s, and Henry Tonks (3), 1928-1936.
Preferred citation: R1/4/12
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The file includes letters from the Welsh Arts Council (24), 1969-1987, the Western Mail (50), 1936-1987, the West Wales Association for the Arts (17), 1975-1988, Professor Mary Williams (8), 1973-1974, the Women's International Art Club (10), 1947-1956, and Roger Worsley (34), 1972-1996.
Preferred citation: R1/4/13
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Preferred citation: R1/5
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The sub-series comprises letters regarding health matters, letters to family and friends, some testimonials, and greetings cards.
Arranged in four files by record type.
Preferred citation: R1/5/1
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The file comprises letters and papers from doctors, dentists and opticians relating to health and fitness matters, together with bills and appointments and other miscellaneous papers relating to medical matters.
Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R1/5/2
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R1/5/3
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The file comprises testimonials relating to Ray Howard-Jones from Professors Tancred Borenius and Henry Tonks.
Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R1/5/4
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The file comprises greetings cards, including postcards, in memoriam cards, invitations, birthday and Christmas cards, many of which are hand painted, together with a few hand-made Christmas cards from c. 1900.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: R2
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The series comprises statements of accounts, a bank pass book, letters relating to financial matters with some bank statements, and miscellaneous financial papers, including bills, estimates, receipts and invoices.
Arranged alphabetically by record type in four files: accounts statements; bank pass book; letters; and miscellaneous financial papers.
Preferred citation: R2/1
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R2/2
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Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: R2/3
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R2/4
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R3
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The series contains an assortment of diaries and notebooks used as journals to record interesting events in Ray Howard-Jones's life. The earlier diaries contain information written during the War years. Several of the journals contain pieces of poetry which were later published, and many contain notes of her time on Skomer island. A great deal of the diaries record medical details, and many entries were intended as personal letters to her friends and acquaintances. Some of the journals contain very little information other than telephone numbers and addresses.
Arranged in twenty files chronologically according to first date in each file.
Preferred citation: R3/1
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The diary has numerous entries up to August, but none thereafter.
There are nine, undated, loose items within the journal.
Preferred citation: R3/2
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A journal entitled 'Dark Days', beginning at the end of March, and ending at the end of July. The journal has an entry for the beginning of September 1984.
Preferred citation: R3/3
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The front page is entitled 'Diary of an Artist, Part II', and commences at the end of July 1929. The final entry is for 4 February 1930.
Preferred citation: R3/4
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The diary commences in February 1930 and continues until the beginning of August of that year. Interspersed throughout are numerous pieces of poetry, written between 1930 and 1994.
Preferred citation: R3/5
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A pocket diary for 1931 containing very few entries.
Preferred citation: R3/6
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A pocket diary for 1932 containing numerous entries.
Preferred citation: R3/7
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A pocket diary for 1933 containing many entries up to August, but very few thereafter.
Entries for September 1940 are on loose pages within the volume.
Preferred citation: R3/8
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An exercise book used as a diary and containing entries for July 1940.
Preferred citation: R3/9
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A pocket diary for 1943 containing very few entries.
Preferred citation: R3/10
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A pocket diary for 1944 containing very few entries.
Preferred citation: R3/11
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Three exercise books used as a diary, probably towards the end of the War, [1944]-[1945].
Preferred citation: R3/12
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A pocket diary for 1945 containing very few entries.
Preferred citation: R3/13
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A scribbling diary for 1954 containing many entries.
Preferred citation: R3/14
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A school exercise book used as a journal for 1956-1957 containing very few entries, but which also contains pieces of poetry composed on Skomer Island.
Preferred citation: R3/15
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A small memo book used as a journal for 1964 containing numerous entries.
Preferred citation: R3/16
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An engagement diary for 1967 containing a few entries.
Preferred citation: R3/17
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A desk diary containing mainly engagement entries for the year 1973.
Preferred citation: R3/18
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An engagement calendar used as a diary, 1979, containing numerous entries between January and June, but very few for the rest of the year.
Preferred citation: R3/19
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Two engagement calendars used as a diary for 1982, the one containing entries between 24 February and 3 March only, and the other containing entries between 25 January and 8 February only.
Preferred citation: R3/20
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A small writing pad used 1992, to note very few events.
Preferred citation: R4
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The series comprises a number of address books, together with a file of loose papers with the addresses and telephone numbers of Ray Howard-Jones's friends and acquaintances.
Arranged loosely in one file.
Preferred citation: R4/1
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Preferred citation: R5
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The series comprises two passports, issued to Ray Howard-Jones in 1953 and 1967.
Arranged chronologically in one file.
Preferred citation: R5/1
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Preferred citation: R6
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The series contains numerous reports and notebooks from St Hilda's School, Penarth, and Leinster House, the London Garden School, together with notes of lectures and notebooks for the Slade School of Fine Art, and miscellaneous papers relating to education.
Arranged in original order by record type.
Preferred citation: R6/1
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Preferred citation: R6/2
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Preferred citation: R6/3
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Preferred citation: R6/4
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Preferred citation: R6/5
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The file comprises three notebooks used to record miscellaneous notes such as historical facts, notes relating to her study of the Welsh language, and notes on poetry.
Preferred citation: R7
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The series consists of papers which reflect the artist's diverse interests and activities over many years, comprising papers relating to her friendship with the artist and writer David Jones (1895-1974), her involvement as a young woman with the East Moors Theatre, Cardiff, papers relating to her love of music and theatre, and papers reflecting her lifelong devotion to the church and to Nashdom Abbey, Buckinghamshire, in particular. The series also includes papers relating to the career of the photographer Raymond Moore, papers relating to the time spent on the remote Skomer Island, a few papers relating to visits working in Spain in 1958 and to Italy in 1959, together with other miscellaneous papers.
Arranged alphabetically in eight files.
Preferred citation: R7/1
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The file comprises letters and papers relating to David Jones, writer and artist, collected by Ray Howard-Jones, a friend of many years. The papers include correspondence with his niece after his death, letters from Saunders Lewis and Jack Raymond Jones, obituary notices, press cuttings relating to his life and career, papers relating to a memorial exhibition for him, in which Ray Howard-Jones took part, a newsletter of the David Jones Society, a poem by Ray Howard-Jones in his memory, and other papers, together with a photocopy of part of a letter in the hand of David Jones.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: R7/2
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R7/3
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R7/4
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R7/5
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Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: R7/6
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R7/7
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: R7/8
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The file comprises miscellaneous papers, including several small notebooks used by Ray Howard-Jones for personal jottings.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: H
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The group comprises papers relating to Ray Howard-Jones's career as an artist and a poet.
Arranged in five series: exhibition papers, 1930-1993, literary papers, 1939-1995, membership of arts societies, 1940-1971, radio interviews, 1984, and printed material, 1927-1993.
Preferred citation: H1
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The series consists of papers relating to the numerous exhibitions and projects undertaken by Ray Howard-Jones from 1930 to 1993.
Arranged alphabetically in thirteen files and chronologically within each unit.
Some letters relating to exhibitions may be found in R1/4.
Preferred citation: H1/1
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The file includes a speech given by Ray Howard-Jones to the Contemporary Art Society for Wales at the Cardiff National Museum, February 1987.
Preferred citation: H1/2
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Preferred citation: H1/3
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The file comprises letters from the firm Ernest Brown & Phillips relating to exhibitions, 1959, 1961, 1964 and 1969, held at the Leicester Galleries.
Preferred citation: H1/4
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Preferred citation: H1/5
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Preferred citation: H1/6
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Preferred citation: H1/7
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Preferred citation: H1/8
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Preferred citation: H1/9
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Preferred citation: H1/10
Rhwng 1988 a 1989 llwyddwyd i gael cefnogaeth i'r syniad o droi Tŷ Newydd, Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, yn ganolfan lenyddol. Y syniad oedd sefydlu canolfan ar lun canolfannau Arvon yn Lloegr, a fyddai'n addas ar gyfer cynnal cyrsiau preswyl i wahanol grwpiau o awduron. Sefydlwyd y ganolfan gyda chymorth ariannol Cyngor y Celfyddydau a chefnogaeth yr Academi. Gosodwyd y tŷ ar les i Ymddiriedolaeth Taliesin. Roedd yr ymddiriedolwyr yn cynnwys Gillian Clarke, W. R. P. George, Emyr Humphreys, Branwen Jarvis, Jonah Jones a Jan Morris.
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Preferred citation: H1/11
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The file includes manuscript and printed biographical details, compiled by Ray Howard-Jones and others, mainly intended as forewords to exhibition catalogues; notes on talks given by Ray Howard-Jones at exhibitions, lists of her works at various galleries, together with introductions and appreciations of her work at exhibitions.
Preferred citation: H1/12
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The file comprises six notebooks, some of which were used to record numerous details regarding exhibitions such as notes on paintings sent to, and sold at, various exhibitions, and lists of invitations to private views, whilst others were used as visitors' books to record the number of people who attended each exhibition.
Preferred citation: H1/13
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Preferred citation: H2
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The series consists of papers relating to the poems, mostly published in Ray Howard-Jones, Heart of the rock: poems 1973 to 1992, 1993, which were written to complement her paintings. The series also includes letters from editors of the Anglo-Welsh Review, copies of poems which were included in exhibition catalogues, and miscellaneous papers.
Arranged in three files: letters; poems; miscellaneous papers.
Preferred citation: H2/1
The Welsh Office development project on the use of the literature of Wales in secondary schools was administrated by the Welsh Academy with funds provided by the Welsh Office. The project's director was Dr Roland Mathias and the members of the project team were Cary Archard, John Davies, Sally Roberts Jones and Dr. R. Brinley Roberts. The progress of the project team were supervised by a steering group which consisted of Ann Sayer, English teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf; Mr Gerald Morgan, Headmaster of Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, Aberystwyth; and Arthur Parker of the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Meic Stephens served as chairman of the steering group, the Welsh Office was represented by Sam Adams (SI) and Julian Pritchard, and the Academy by its officer, Ceri George. A report was published in 1986.
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The file includes letters from Blunson Hall (19), 1967-1974, Roland Mathias (15), 1968-1974, together with manuscript and printed articles of poems which appeared in the journal.
Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: H2/2
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The file comprises numerous notes on poetry, draft poems which were subsequently collected and published, single copies of printed poems, and miscellaneous papers relating to poetry.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: H2/3
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The file comprises thirteen notebooks containing drafts of poems, interspersed with draft letters, notes about medical conditions, appointments and other miscellaneous writings.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: H3
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The series comprises papers relating to the arts societies of which Ray Howard-Jones was a member. Most of the letters are mainly circulars, sent to all members of the various societies.
Arranged alphabetically according to the name of the society.
Preferred citation: H3/1
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The papers include letters relating to exhibitions held by the Association, together with a number of AIA newsletters.
Arranged chronologically according to record type: letters and papers, followed by newsletters.
Preferred citation: H3/2
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The file comprises letters inviting Ray Howard-Jones to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and printed booklets of the Society.
Arranged chronologically according to record type: letters, followed by booklets.
Preferred citation: H3/3
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The file includes a small number of copies of agendas and minutes of meetings.
Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: H4
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The series comprises a number of scripts used by BBC Radio Wales for interviews about Ray Howard Jones's life and works, including 'Location Skomer Island: The Neck', 'D-Day Ships. In Dock for Loading', 'War, War, War', and 'Father David Morgan's Church', together with other papers relating to radio interviews, 1984.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: H4/1
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Preferred citation: H5
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The series comprises catalogues of exhibitions where Ray Howard-Jones exhibited her work; catalogues of various other exhibitions; printed books and booklets of art interest; magazines which feature Ray Howard Jones's work; and press cuttings of Ray Howard Jones's life and works.
Arranged by original order in five files.
Preferred citation: H5/1
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: H5/2
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The file comprises catalogues of various exhibitions of interest to Ray Howard-Jones.
Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: H5/3
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The file comprises printed books and booklets of interest to Ray Howard-Jones which were collected by her, c. 1920s-1990s. A number of books relate to the island of Skomer, and others relate to her artist acquaintances, whilst a number of the books contain articles relating to her work as an artist and poet. A few are lightly annotated.
Original arrangement.
Preferred citation: H5/4
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Arranged chronologically.
Preferred citation: H5/5
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Arranged chronologically.