Book lovers enjoy a 'Wheely' good read at John Collins & Partners LLP

04|08|06

Book lovers at one of Wales’ leading law firms will be able to enjoy a ‘wheely’ good read after John Collins & Partners LLP introduced a book trolley in recognition of its sponsorship of this year’s EDS Dylan Thomas Prize.

The Swansea-based law firm has signed up as one of the leading sponsors of the Prize, which is now the highest paying book prize in the world.

To mark the sponsorship, Managing Partner, Paul Newman, decided to introduce a book trolley to the team at John Collins & Partners to enable them to read all the current long listed books, which are in the running for the coveted prize. Among the list of 14 books is the prize-winning novel "Utterly Monkey" by Zadie Smith’s husband Nick Laird and an entry from Welsh writer Rachel Trezise.

Paul Newman commented, "This prestigious award commemorates a key figure in Swansea’s heritage and as a leading business in Swansea we thought it was important to offer our full support. Speaking to staff it became evident that reading was a popular pastime, and we decided to offer copies of all the books on the long list to every member of staff so they too could be involved in the Prize.

"So far the initiative has been a huge hit and it’s even led to a company book club being formed.  Now all the staff bring in their own books to share amongst colleagues and for a nominal fee you can borrow these books to read at your leisure.  At the end of the year we will donate all the money raised to a local charity as decided by the staff.  We recognise the importance of encouraging the arts and how reading a variety of books can help individuals to form well-rounded opinions on a range of issues they might never have even considered."

Receptionist at John Collins & Partners, Daina Vanags-Butler  said, "I think this has been a great initiative for the company and everyone is now getting involved.  Being able to read these 14 acclaimed books and also share our own books around the office is a fantastic way to become well read on topics and issues of the moment and also to get to know colleagues better.  There are some very strong opinions on the long listed books and we can’t stop discussing them in work, and the fact that all the money will go to a charity at the end of the year makes it even more worth while."

The EDS Dylan Thomas Prize, which awards the winning author a massive £60,000 was set up to encourage and help talented, young writers under the age of 30 make strides in the literary world.

Peter Stead, the Prize’s founding chairman, said, "This is a thrilling Prize, set out to promote and reward all forms of creative writing amongst the world’s young and flourishing authors.  We are delighted to be working closely with John Collins & Partners LLP and I think it’s fantastic that this partnership has translated down through the entire company and that the staff will have access to the books.  Perhaps we ought to hold a discussion with the staff at John Collins & Partners over the 14 long-listed books and get their forecasts on the winning title!"