Arts Portfolio

I went along to Foyles the bookshop in London on Friday in support for fellow writer, Beth Junor at her book signing for ‘Scarcely Ever Out of My Thoughts’. A collection of letters edited by Beth written by Valda Trevlyn Grieve to Christopher Murray Grieve (Hugh MacDiarmid born 1892-1978). Valda married Hugh and in 1932 gave birth to a son, James Michael Grieve. Hugh, like many Scottish writers and poets was political in his views and had a strong belief in socialism. In 1928 he was the founder member of the National Party of Scotland (SNP). Interestingly, later in his life he was to change those views and move more toward Communism, standing as a communist party candidate against the then Prime Minister, Sir Alex Douglas-Home. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/arts/writingscotland/writers/hugh_macdiarmid/

Valda’s letters convey the self-sacrifice she gave in support of Hugh, in an effort to get him to reach his full potential. Their relationship was based on affection and respect for one another, where they did not compete, as Valda was a spirited lady with views of her own. She was born in Bude, Cornwall in 1906 and was a staunch Cornish Nationalist throughout her life, coming from a poor family, that had a clear sense of loyalty, and who looked after one another in frugal conditions. She returned to Cornwall in order to look after ailing aunts when it became necessary for her to do so. Hugh sacrificed himself for his principles and it was these principles Valda valued. The book gives an interesting insight into the domesticity of their lives together. Valda died at the age of 82 in 1989.