Abergavenny Gay Witch Hunt of 1942: "Forgotten Abergavenny" publishes An Old Photograph of The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny

15 SEPTEMBER 2014 : FORGOTTEN ABERGAVENNY WEB SITE PUBLISHED THIS ARTICLE TODAY: THANKS TO SASSY HICKS. The Dark Past of Abergavenny (and how it is helping the community now) William Cross, the Author of the controversial book “The Abergavenny Witch Hunt” has kindly submitted this old photo of The Angel Hotel in Cross Street back in the late... 1930s. By the 1940s (after a string of tenants from the early 18th Century onwards), ownership of The Angel Hotel had passed to Trust House Forte. A centre of excellent hospitality and relaxation for locals and visitors alike, it was where Abergavenny’s great and good assembled nightly “to settle the events of the world”. In 1942, it was an almighty shock to find that one of the favourite chefs at the hotel and a café assistant from nearby were caught up with other men and youths in the seedy homosexual scandal that engulfed the town. At the time such conduct was against the law. Over twenty years later, in 1967, Pontypool’s reforming MP, Leo Abse, was influenced by the aftermath of chaos from the Abergavenny case to successfully promote a Private Members Bill to change the law on homosexuality which is now enshrined in the our basic human rights. “The Abergavenny Witch Hunt” is a truly remarkable book that delves into the dark past of the town and its role in changing the homosexuality laws for the better. It’s well worth a read if you are intrigued by local history. You can meet the Author, William Cross, and buy a signed copy of his book at the Abergavenny Bookshop in High Street on Saturday 20th September during the Abergavenny Food Festival. *William has also kindly agreed to donate all profits from the sale of this book to the ‘Abergavenny Community Café’, in memory of Lewis Matthews, the 19th-year-old Abergavenny lad, who took his own life during the 1942 case. The Abergavenny Community Café is based at the leisure centre and is run and managed entirely by volunteers. It is also a training base for people wishing to learn skills to work in the hospitality industry. Please support them as they are all incredible people!

The Abergavenny Witch Hunt : Update on Promotions

8 August 2014 : As of the end of this week copies of " The Abergavenny Witch Hunt" have been sent to various interested parties in London, Newport, Swansea, Cardiff, Monmouth, Herefordshire, Devon, Solihull, East Sussex, Somerset, ( and of course Abergavenny ). A copy of the book has been forwarded to the non-fiction editor of "Wales Art Review" ( with thanks to BG). The book has been kindly promoted on the "The Welsh Cinema Photo History" and another Cinema forum ( with thanks to GG).A short posting on a website called " Forgotten Abergavenny" has brought a positive response from that website's co-ordinator.

The Author’s Blog 3 : The Abergavenny Witch Hunt at 5th August 2014.

The Author’s Blog 3 : The Abergavenny Witch Hunt at 5th August 2014. The Marketing for the Book. The Abergavenny Witch Hunt. An account of the prosecution of over twenty homosexuals in a small Welsh town in 1942. • 30th July 2014: LGBT Rights Campaigner Norena Shopland kindly offered to mention the book on her Facebook page. • Norena later advised she had done this. She also mentioned the Cardiff Pride on Saturday 16th August and suggested she might be able to arrange a book signing session. • Flyer designed ( thanks to MD) for book signing at Cardiff Pride being held at Cooper's Field, Cardiff CF10 3RB. Andrew Davies of Unity agreed to take flyers for the book and arrange a book signing at Cardiff Pride on 16th August 2014, 2pm-3pm. • Websites updated to mention book signing at Cardiff, Facebook page tagged to website, Tweets sent ( with several re-tweets.) • 3rd August – 5th August 2014 : Round robin e-mail circular sent about the book signing at Cardiff Pride on 16 August 2014. • Literature Wales ( thanks Louise) and The Society of Authors ( thanks Charlotte B )included coverage of the Book Signing at Cardiff on their events website and by e-mail flyer.

The Author’s Blog 2 : The Abergavenny Gay Witch Hunt. At 31 July 2014.

The Author’s Blog 2 : The Abergavenny Witch Hunt The Marketing for the Book The Abergavenny Witch Hunt An account of the prosecution of over twenty homosexuals in a small Welsh town in 1942 • 24th July 2014 : The book went on sale supported by a full page spread ( page 8) in today’s Abergavenny Chronicle. [ With thanks to Tim Butters] • Book Mentioned at the Meeting of the Society of Authors, Gloucestershire and Neighbouring Counties Group Lunchtime gathering on 28 July 2014. • Book cover designer, Gerard Whyman signed copies of the A2 sized poster ( created by Pat S, who also designed flyers) advertising the book. • Visit to Abergavenny on 31 July, 2014. Moderate sales locally to date reported. More publicity initiatives planned. • No letters/ comments about the 1942 case in today’s edition ( 31st July ) of the Abergavenny Chronicle, one week following initial coverage. • The always inspiring custodians of Newport's The Friends of Tredegar House website ( much thanks to Anne and Les) adding a reference to the book on The Abergavenny Witch Hunt on their website.

The Author’s Blog : The Abergavenny Gay Witch Hunt of 1942

The Author’s Blog : The Abergavenny Witch Hunt. The Marketing for the Book: The Abergavenny Witch Hunt. An account of the prosecution of over twenty homosexuals in a small Welsh town in 1942 Week Commencing : 21st July 2014 • After some wrinkles at the printers copies of the book finally arrived on 21st July 2014. • Advance Orders prepared for despatch. • A Press Release e-mail was issued by Book Midden Publishing giving details about the book. • A round robin mailing followed in the next few days and complimentary copies sent to those who especially helped make the production of the book possible. • The book was listed for sale on Amazon.co.uk and on Amazon .com sites. • Author and other Websites updated with links to the book. • Author Page on Amazon was updated. • Society of Authors page was updated. • A tweet sent out on Twitter about the book. • As the week passed The Abergavenny Chronicle confirmed that there would be an article about the book in the edition of the paper for 24th July 2014. • Brian Hughes at the Abergavenny Bookshop, 1 High Street, Abergavenny NP 7 5RY confirmed his agreement to stock and sell the book. • Visit made to Abergavenny on 23 July 2014, called at the Abergavenny Chronicle Offices to leave a poster and to get copies of the paper. • Visit made to Abergavenny Bookshop to deliver copies of the books. • Visit made to Wetherspoons Coliseum ( the site of the Abergavenny Coliseum Cinema- the scene of much of the storyline of the witch hunt , in 1942). The Manager of the Wetherspoons Coliseum agreed to put a poster on display about the book.