A LOCAL author has published a new collection of poems after raising over £3,000 for Parkinson's charities.

Simon Jackson, a poet from Rhydycroesau, near Oswestry, has now sold over 700 copies of his previous book 'Walking From Home' which has been well received in the local community, as well as helping to support various charities.

The author was diagnosed with the illness himself, seven years ago, and since then he has been finding comfort in writing, with predominant themes of nature and local landscape.

He said: "The motivation came from being diagnosed with Parkinson's myself seven years ago, and it was something that was very important to me when I was diagnosed.

"As it began happening to me, it affected my ability to walk, and I did not want to take it lying down."

The new collection includes a series of pen and ink drawings to accompany the poems, by local artist Sally Lewis who has also designed the linocut that appears on the front cover.

The cover lettering and the book as a whole has been designed and typeset by John Neilson.

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Simon added: "It was really nice working as a collaborative."

The book was printed by local company Welshpool Printers Group and all net proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Parkinson’s in the Marches (PIMs), a local charity set up by Simon and Elaine Payne.

Current initiatives for the charity are funding pilates classes for local Parkinson’s groups, and helping to fund the purchase of wearable devices that reduce adverse symptoms.

Simon is planning a series of signing sessions for the new book in the local area following an initial event at his home village of Rhydycroesau – see the Facebook page for PIMs for details.

The Long View will also be on sale at the Willow Gallery, Oswestry Library, the community shop at Llansilin, the shop at Trefonen, and the Docks at Selattyn among other places.

Elaine is now working had preparing for another Parkinson’s day in April next year to follow on from the very successful day held in Oswestry in August 2020.