Son’s tribute is a print hit

8:25am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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A NEWPORT photographer and journalist has produced a unique tribute to his remarkable mum.

Nathan Simpson interviewed people who knew and loved his mother Eunice for a special edition of his magazine Sole.

He wanted to make sure friends, colleagues, students and family had a last memory to keep and cherish.

Ms Simpson, who died aged 53 in February after a courageous battle with stomach cancer, was an inspirational tutor and co-founder of the Black Heritage Association Cymru.

The mother-of-two was active in the Pill community where she lived and won national praise, as well as awards, for her work in helping people from disadvantaged communities into education.

Mr Simpson, 35, spent the first four weeks after her death interviewing and photographing people from all sectors who knew, respected and loved his mother.

He was able to put together a 16-page editorial celebrating her life using their testimonies.

Mr Simpson, who lives in Pill, called issue six of Sole "Heaven Sent" and it proved to be his best-ever selling product.

He thought he might sell about three dozen copies but was amazed by the response.

Priced at £2.50, to cover his costs as he wanted it to be a non-profit making venture, the magazine has sold more than 200 in Newport alone.

"I simply would not have coped with the immediate trauma of losing the greatest person in my life if I hadn't had this magazine to concentrate on."

He thanked customers who bought the issue, often in multiple copies so they could send them to friends or relatives.

"My mum is now watching over me - I hope she is proud," said Mr Simpson who has a sister Leanne.

Copies of Sole can be read in the reference section of Newport Central Library.