Poetry Cornwall/Bardhonyeth Kernow
(a few facts about editor Les Merton)

Les Merton was born and bred in Cornwall. He had a true country up bringing in the hamlet of Medlyn Moors between Helston and Falmouth. He attended Halwin School, but is convinced his education comes from The School of Hard Knocks and The University of Life.

Before he became the editor of PC/BK, Les earned his living in a number of different ways. He has been a shop manager, coal man, bus conductor, factory worker, film extra, door to door salesman, fortune teller, national sales director, entertainment agent and a professional fund raiser. Les also has had the honour of dying a death as comedian Adam Shame.

These days as well as being the editor of Poetry Cornwall/Bardhonyeth Kernow; Les is very involved with every aspect of writing. He is an author, poet, humorist, dialectician, poetry performer, publisher and promoter.

Les Merton's writing has been published extensively in the UK and in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA.

A list of current titles of books by Les Merton follows and they can be purchased from the shop on this site.

Cornflakes and Toast ISBN 1-900726-72-6 Price £5
A poetry collection published by The National Poetry Foundation in June 2000 (SOLD OUT)

Missus Laity's Tay Room ISBN 0-9539594-0-6 Price £3
Short stories, poetry, anecdotes in Cornish dialect. (October 2000.)

The Spirit of a King ISBN 0-9539594-3-0 Price £4.95
(The Cornish Chough in drama, prose, poetry, fact and legend) (August 2001)

Light the Muse ISBN 0-9539594-5-7 £6.95
An illustrated poetry collection with a CD reading. (April 2003)

The Official Encyclopaedia of the Cornish Pasty ISBN 0-9539594-8-1 £4.95
Pasty facts and recipes seasoned with humour, lies and illustrations (July 2003)

Oall Rite My Ansum ISBN 185306 814 4 £5.95
A salute to Cornish dialect. From Countryside Books, Newbury (October 2003)

As Yesterday Begins ISBN 1-904781-30-6 £7.99
The latest poetry collection. Published by bluechrome publishing, Bristol (2004)

Adders in Cornwall ISBN 0-9547985-5-4 £3.50
The facts, folklore and literature November 2004

AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 2005!

Dark Corners
Published by boho press.
Cornish Noir - Are you ready for the darker side of Cornwall?

PC/BK editor Les Merton has won many awards for his writing and he was made a Bard of the Gorseth Kernow (Cornish Gorsedd) in 2004 for services to Cornish literature. His Bardic name is Map Hallow (Son of the Moors)

Les has been heard on the following radio stations:- BBC Radio Bristol, Duchy Hospital Radio, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Radio 4, CKFM 107.

His other related interests include giving talks on getting published, reading stories and poetry in Cornish dialect, giving poetry recitals, organising poetry slams and Les can act as a compere. He is available for radio, television, poetry recitals, festivals or that special occasion where the venue may just be a cosy front room.

Contacted by email:
poetrycornwall@yahoo.com
or write to:
Les Merton,
1 Station Hill,
Redruth,
Cornwall/Kernow
TR15 2PP

Please note all books can be purchased at your local bookshop by quoting the ISBN.
Any difficulties in obtaining anything please write or email to the addresses listed on this page.