Andrew Dodds (1872-1959) is considered one of the finest poets of the county.
The son of a miner, his work captures the beauty of the local landscape and changing fortunes of its people.
A great humanitarian and trade union activist, who worke
d tirelessly to improve the lives of others, he was an organiser with the Farm Servants' Union and served in France with the YMCA during the First World War.
To mark his achievements, Midlothian Council's Library Service is to hold an event, including an account of his life by local studies officer Dr Ken Bogle and readings of his work by Midlothian poet Mary Johnston and the pupils of Tynewater Primary School.
In addition, Dodds' work – which has long been out-of-print – will be brought together in an anthology of more than sixty of his poems accompanied by Dr Bogle's biography.
The event will take place at Tynewater Primary School in Pathhead – chosen as Dodds spent most of his life in the village – on Wednesday, July 1 at 7.30pm. Admission, which is open to everyone, is by free ticket available from all libraries and from Tynewater Primary.
Copies of the new book – which has been part-financed by the Scottish Government, Midlothian Council, Tyne-water Community Council, Fala, Soutra and District History and Heritage Society and the European Community Tyne Esk Leader 2007-13 Programme – will be on sale at £5 each. For information call 0131 271 3976.
Full story in this week's Advertiser - on sale now.