It's an exciting time for Bridgend poet Rhian Edwards: her first child is due in three months, her first book of poems has been shortlisted for a Wales Book of the Year award and her second collection is coming along nicely.
Two months ago I caught up with her towards the start of her post as the first ever .
Rhian Edwards. Photo: John Briggs
Back then she said she hoped her legacy to the venue would be a poetry open mic night that would bring together all the different creative voices that congregate there.
And it seems that dream has been realised as Chinwag, an evening of spoken word, where people can read poetry and prose or perform their work, has just enjoyed its first event and has another planned for the eve of Rhian's departure next week.
The first poetry night saw Niall Griffiths and Tiffany Atkinson reading their poems along with appearances from Lampeter students and members of the arts centre's resident writing groups.
The next event on Wednesday 29 May will see Rhian reading along with Matthew Francis and Samantha Wynne Rhydderch, who have both also been shortlisted for the .
Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. Photo: Keith Morris
Rhian told me: "Chinwag is going to carry on after my departure and become a regular event which is fantastic.
"So far the feedback on it has been really great. I have kept each person to a strict five minute limit, even bossily using a school bell, which I think has made it really high energy."
The residency has provided Rhian with plenty of opportunity to pursue her interest in writing nature poems, as she wants her second collection of poetry to mark a departure from her first, Clueless Dogs, which was published last year.
Clueless Dogs contained character-led portraits, love stories and childhood memories, whereas the working title for the second collection is The Universal Doodle of Birds.
Rhian added: "The surroundings in Aberystwyth have been really inspirational. I've been amused by noisy seagulls, watched 200 red kites congregate at feeding time and seen great swarms of starlings emerge from under the pier."
Rhian Edwards. Photo: Michael Suss
The image of the red kites has led to a new poem called Birds of the Century, while Rhian has also taken inspiration from the myth of Rhiannon in the Mabinogion for her new poem The Birds of Rhiannon.
Although she is still far off from completing the collection, she wants it to be strongly grounded in mythological and natural influences.
Chinwag, An Evening of Spoken Word, welcomes readings of poetry and prose with performances by guest writers as well as open mic at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Wednesday 29 May, 7.45pm.
To book please contact the arts centre on 01970 62 32 32 or visit .