PREVIOUSLY unseen works by the late artist Michael Blackmore feature in a new collection of his paintings and drawings put together by his lifelong friend Ken Worrall.

Launched last month at the Plas Derwen Hotel, the book - Michael Blackmore Recollection - includes a number of rare watercolours and pen and ink drawings of local scenes alongside the more familiar industrial landscapes for which Michael is perhaps best known.

Speaking at the launch, which was attended by Michael’s widow Brenda and their family, Mr Worrall explained that he had initially intended to create a website featuring his friend’s work.

“Michael was a true friend to me and I felt that people would be interested to know the huge contribution he made in promoting Abergavenny and the surrounding area.

“I met Michael when I first came to live in Abergavenny and quickly became good friends with him and Brenda, a friendship that was to last until his sad death”

“Michael’s life wasn’t always easy with lots of twists and turns and sometimes things didn’t work out the way he planned.

“Eventually he decided to go it alone as a full time artist and with an uncertain future he struggled for a while.

“It was during one of our many discussions that we decided to create a website for his work enlisting help from friends like Gareth Kiddle of Freeland Heritage and John Van Laun, whose knowledge of the mining industry and its past were a great help.

“When Michael passed away I realised I had a great deal of information regarding his art and eventually decided I would produce a book illustrating some of his works’.

Over the past year, Mr Worrall, who himself suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, worked with the blessing of Michael Blackmore’s widow Brenda to create the book.

“I was so pleased to see it because it is a wonderful tribute to Michael,” said Mrs Blackmore.

“It brought the odd tear because there were a lot of paintings in there that I hadn’t seen. I think when you live with an artist you don’t always take in everything they’re working on so some of the more rural landscapes were quite a surprise, especially as he always said he didn’t like watercolours.”

Mayor of Abergavenny Chris Woodhouse, who shared a lifelong love of steam trains with Michael, added his praise for the new book.

“I think Michael would have been very pleased with it, but would also have been very embarrassed by all the fuss - he would have been much happier walking down by the river on Caste Meadows than being here at the centre of all the attention.”

“That said a book like this does more than celebrate Michael’s work, it also draws attention to the wealth of talent were have in this area, much of which, like Michael’s is almost a secret. Thanks to Ken and his wonderful book it’s not a secret any more,” said Councillor Woodhouse.

Born and bred in Abergavenny, Michael Blackmore began his artistic career as an apprentice lithographer with Sergeant Brother in the town saying with them until he became a full time artist and illustrator.

Best known for his highly detailed illustrations of the area’s industrial past he was a familiar figure in the town, seen often on the Castle Meadows where he took his daily walks and enjoyed chatting and sharing his encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and its history.

With the book now available locally Abergavenny and District Steam Society now plans to pay its own tribute to its former member with the dedication of a bench in his memory on the banks of the river at Castle Meadow.

“The plaque on the bench will say very simply ‘Michael Blackmore - illustrator’ which I think he would have liked,” said Councillor Woodhouse.

• Michael Blackmore - Recollection is available locally from the Market Street Chapel and the Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre or by emailing [email protected].