That’s a wrap. Penarth’s independent bookshop, Griffin Books, brought its 2019 programme of author events to a close with two sell-out events at the end of November. On Tuesday 19th November over 300 people attended An Evening with Warren Gatland at Cardiff’s Hilton Hotel. The former Wales head coach spoke openly and honestly about his personal life and his long and illustrious career in rugby, before signing copies of his autobiography Pride and Passion.

On Wednesday 27th November, novelist and screenwriter, Matthew Hall, spoke about the TV phenomenon Keeping Faith and his popular Coroner series of novels with bookshop owner Mel Griffin. Matt was joined on stage for a Q&A by Keeping Faith cast members Alex Harries, Aneirin Hughes and Penarth’s own Suzanne Packer.

Over the last year, Griffin Books has welcomed a whole host of big-name writers to Penarth, including David Nicholls, Victoria Hislop, Chris Riddell, Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves, David Nott, Tess Gerritsen, Clare Mackintosh, and not forgetting Welsh sporting hero Sam Warburton; while also giving a platform to emerging talent and local authors such as; Ruth Morgan, Laura Kemp, D.K. Fields, Adrian Goldsworthy, Dr Matt Morgan, Sam Hurcom and Vanessa Savage to name only a few.

The 2020 event programme kicks off on Friday 17th January with Matt Pritchard returning with his second vegan cookbook, Dirty Vegan: Another Bite, followed by lunch with crime superstar Sophie Hannah on Tuesday 28th January. Tickets are now on sale from Griffin Books (call 029 2070 6455) or book online via: www.ticketsource.co.uk/griffinbooks