Saving Anwen

Oliver is an award-winning author, poet, and writer/performer. He is also one of six kids and was brought up on a council estate in rural Derbyshire by his single-parent dad. When Oliver turned eight, his dad took him and his siblings to a Horse Fair where, for the first time, he encountered a peregrine falcon. Oliver was allowed to handle and fly the falcon, and ever since, he has been a keen admirer of peregrine falcons. This memory played a big part in the creation of Saving Anwen. Another big source of inspiration was Oliver’s partner, Gwen. The couple moved to Denbigh, where the story is set, in 2023 and attended the annual Medieval Festival at Denbigh Castle, which features food stalls, displays, demonstrations, battle re-enactments, and falconry. As they were walking along, Gwen said, “Wouldn’t this make an amazing setting for a children’s story?” Oliver looked around for a moment, said “Gwen, you’re a genius,” and the rest (as they say) is history.