Commemorating Andrew Dodds

Midlothian Council Library Service is to hold a special event to commemorate the life and work of the Midlothian poet and trade unionist Andrew Dodds (1872-1959), and to launch a modern anthology of his best poems.

The event will take place at Tynewater Primary School, Pathhead on Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 7.30pm.  It is open to everyone, and admission is by free ticket, available from all libraries in Midlothian and from Tynewater School.

Andrew Dodds was one of the finest poets of the Midlothian area. The son of a miner, his poems capture the beauty of the local landscape and changing fortunes of its people.  A great humanitarian and trade union activist who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others, he was an organiser with the Farm Servants’ Union and served in France with the YMCA during the First World War.

His work has long been out-of-print, but the new anthology brings together over sixty of his best poems. The book also  includes an account of his life written by Dr Ken Bogle, Local Studies Officer at Midlothian Council.

Councillor Adam Montgomery, Provost of Midlothian Council , said,  ‘Andrew Dodds is one of the great men of our area and deserves greater recognition. He died 50 years ago and his work remains very popular. He published five books of poetry during his lifetime but they are all very difficult to obtain.

‘Midlothian Library Service has now produced a modern edition of his best poems.  The new book will interest anybody who admires the Midlothian area and good Scots verse.

‘We decided to launch the new book in Pathhead because Andrew Dodds spent most of his adult life in the village.’

The evening will include an account of Dodds’ life  by Dr  Bogle. There will also be readings of some of his best poems by Mary Johnston, one of Midlothian’s most distinguished present-day poets, and the pupils of Tynewater Primary School.  Refreshments will be available.

Copies of the new book -  which has been part-financed by the Scottish Government, Midlothian Council, Tynewater Community Council, Fala, Soutra and District History and Heritage Society and the European Community Tyne Esk Leader 2007-13 Programme -  will be on sale at £5 each.