The Viv Griffiths Website
Vivian, Lawrence Griffiths, poet and novelist, born St Thomas, Swansea 1935. Joined Merchant Navy 1950 and sailed in Deck Dept with various shipping companies to many parts of the world until 1960. Worked as a steel erector and rigger for two years then went to Coleg Harlech , gained A levels and went to Bangor University in 1963. Graduated in English and History in 1966. Swansea University 66 -67 for a teaching diploma. Became a teacher and lecturer and attended Manchester and London universities where he did Adult Education and Media Studies. Is now retired and lives with his wife, Jane, who is a Principal Officer in local government and has judged at shows of Staffordshire Bull Terriers, which they show and breed ( see latest pups above ) Sassy, one of their dogs, won the Junior Bitch award at Crufts in1997. Viv has three children and eight grandchildren - ergo, always skint after Christmas!
He began writing at in the 50's and was published by The College of the Sea. Later he read some of his poems aboard the famous clipper ship Cutty Sark in London when the Marine Society published a collection of verse by merchant seamen called 'Voices from the Sea.' He has had eight collections of poetry published over the years and one novel entitled 'First Trip' brought out by Tuba Press in 1987. His latest publication is a selection of poems, covering the whole of this period, entitled 'Ways and Weatherings' published by Tuba Press of Tunley Cottage, Tunley, Glos. GL7 6LW, England. This contains some prize winning pieces.
Viv is a member of The Welsh Academy of Writers, the Merchant Navy Association, the Welsh Archaeology Society and the Oystermouth Social Club. His hobbies are country walking, gambling, social drinking and reading and writing, of course.
