An evening with… Ruth Jones (SOLD OUT)

We’re so excited to announce a Book-ish event with the one and only Ruth Jones! We can’t wait to welcome Ruth back to celebrate the launch of her latest book, By Your Side, which will be hot-off-the-press – all tickets include a signed hardback copy of the book.

The event is being held at  Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall, Blaenavon, High Street, NP4 9PT.
The event starts at 8pm and doors open at 6.45pm. (new timings)

About By Your Side – published 22nd May

Bursting with all the heart and humour that has made Ruth’s name as a screenwriter and author, By Your Side is about finding joy in the most unlikely connections, and the importance of holding onto friendship, love and community – especially when life gets messy.

Linda and Levi will never meet. But they’re going to change each other’s lives.

In her role at the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit, Linda Standish investigates the lives of those who’ve died alone and tracks down any living relatives. She’s been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years. And now she’s looking forward to an early retirement.

But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda must take on one last case – that of Levi Norman Jones – a Welshman who’d made his home on a remote Scottish island for the past five years.

What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse) with her arch nemesis Fergus Murray, and helped (and hindered) by the eccentric local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. And in the process unexpectedly makes new friends, and discovers things about herself she never knew.

About Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones MBE is well known for her television writing, most notably BBC One’s Gavin and Stacey, co-written with James Corden, in which she plays the incorrigible Nessa Jenkins. Ruth also created and co-wrote Sky One’s Stella, which ran for six series between 2012 and 2017, in which she played the eponymous role. She has starred in several other television comedies and dramas, including Hattie, Nighty Night and Saxondale. In 2024 Ruth returned to the stage, making her West End debut as Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical. Her most recent role is that of private investigator Elena Ravenscroft in the adaptation of Harlan Coben’s Run Away for Netflix.

It is perhaps for Gavin and Stacey though that Ruth is known best. The 2019 Christmas Day special gained national critical acclaim, drawing an audience of over 18 million, winning a BAFTA for TV moment of the year and a National Television Award for Impact. The 2024 finale of Gavin and Stacey soared to the top of the Christmas ratings, with the well-loved comedy watched by nearly 21 million people.

Ruth’s novels have sold over a million copies. Her debut novel, Never Greener, was chosen as WHSmith Fiction Book of the Year 2018, nominated for Debut of the Year at the British Book Awards, was a Zoe Ball Book Club pick, and a Sunday Times bestseller for fifteen weeks, three weeks at number one. Her second novel, Us Three, and her third novel, Love Untold, were also instant Sunday Times bestsellers, and Love Untold was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year as well as a Richard & Judy Bookclub Pick. Ruth was awarded a Comedy Women in Print Prize in 2020.

Important event information

We have a few important notes for everybody to ensure the evening goes smoothly, everybody enjoys the event and we meet your expectations!

CHANGE TO EVENT START TIME

Due to a previous commitment for Ruth, our event will now start at 8pm….more time to get to your seats, buy a drink at the bar and soak up the atmosphere!

PARKING

There is no parking at the venue, but plenty around the town, you may want to build this into your journey arrangements and look at car parking options before you travel. . There are 3 car parks within a 5 minute walk of the Hall: Lion Street, Market St, and Princes St (next to the Queen Victoria pub).

Please park responsibly and respect local residents, for some of whom it causes difficulty and upset if they cannot park near their homes.

DOORS OPENING

Doors will not open to access the venue until 6:45pm with the event starting promptly at 8pm.

Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

You may be refused access to the event or be asked to take a seat at the back if you arrive after this time.

We advise all parties wishing to sit together to arrive at the same time or meet in the bar BEFORE taking your seats as our ushers will not be able to accommodate groups reserving seats for party members not present.

TICKETS

You do not need to bring your tickets/email with you, your name will be on our list on the door.

Your ticket includes a copy of ‘By Your Side’ which we hope will be pre-signed by Ruth (dependant on her arrival time).

MEET & GREET

There will be an opportunity to meet Ruth, get your book dedicated and have a photo at the end of the event. Please be mindful that this is a large capacity venue so queues may be long.

ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

If you require wheelchair access, there is a lift available, our ushers and the hall volunteers will do their best to accommodate any specific requests. If you have any concerns, please do contact us prior to the event.