The retired accountant's bookshop is packed full of books of every description, but, like many people with a passion for books, he's sometimes more interested in the books themselves than what's in them. But he makes an exception for Alfred Williams.

"I've never been a 'cover to cover' reader of any writer," he says, candidly, "but I do believe that quite a high percentage of Alfred Williams's poetry deserves a wider readership.

"My main interest in his life and work arises from his six books of poetry. In particular, I enjoy the poems that make reference to the local geographical area. I still have a long way to go in exploring the six books, and I find his other books about rural life, local history, folk songs and Life in a Railway Factory extremely useful for dipping into."

Roy cannot recall the exact date when he first 'discovered' Alfred Williams, but was introduced to his work through membership of the Richard Jefferies Society, which he joined in 1987. Five years later, he joined the Friends of Alfred Williams and is now the organisation's 'communications link'.

"There is a significant overlap between these two Swindon writers," said Roy, "and I soon became aware of Alfred through the occcasional joint meetings of the two literary societies, which still continue on an annual basis to this day. The overlap covers a large arc of countryside around Swindon."

Roy is an authority on poets such as John Betjeman, and even organises day-long workshops looking at the late Poet Laureate's works, but says less experienced people should not be put off by the apparent 'difficulty' of poetry or joining literary societies. Membership of such a society, he says, is often rewarding.

"Don't be daunted. You do not have to be an expert on the writer in order to join a literary society, but your enjoyment will be greatly enhanced by meeting fellow devotees at your own level, plus some nationally recognised authorities."

And Roy has some perhaps surprising advice for anybody tackling the complete works of a particular poet. He says you shouldn't expect to like everything that your favourite poet writes.

"Readers of poetry should not expect to really love a high percentage of a particular poet's output. My belief is that if you are deeply moved by only 10 per cent of the output, that will be more than enough for you to regard yourself as a devotee of that poet.

"My reasoning is that, within that small percentage, there will be poems that have a great influence on your love of life and your love of your surroundings. You can then confidently take a step forward and join the literary societies devoted to your favourite poets."

Roy names Homeland, first published in Poems in Wiltshire in 1911, as his favourite Alfred Williams poem. "It's a rather long poem at 154 lines," he said, "but it races along in very brisk rhyming couplets, and is effectively three poems in one - 64 lines about a British assault on Roman Barbury Castle, 42 lines of memories of 19 local places, and 48 lines in praise of the River Cole."

He has copies of all six of Alfred's books of poetry, in their original hardback form - three of them formerly part of Wiltshire Libraries' collection which were sold off. He has collected them, one by one, over the years, and laments the fact that copies of Alfred's poems are hard to come by.

"The problem is that the six books of poems were published over 80 years ago, in low print runs," said Roy, "resulting in the current scarcity in the secondhand market. Current prices range from £50 to £150 per volume.

"But please remember all volumes are in the Swindon Central Library, in the reference section on the third floor, as part of the Swindon Collection - and no appointment is necessary to read them there. Better still is the Alfred Williams Heritage Society's plans to make all the poems accessible online."

Roy treasures one book in his collection even above the others - a copy of Cor Cordium. This has not only been signed by Alfred, but the author has also written an inscription to Edward Slow, who was, apparently, the original owner of the book, although we don't know whether it was purchased by Edward Slow or presented as a gift by Alfred.

Slow is significant because he was the subject of a poem that Alfred wrote in an earlier book of poetry. To Edward Slow, appeared in Poems in Wiltshire and would also reappear in Selected Poems.

Whatever Alfred Williams poetry you get your hands on, Roy urges readers to spend time browsing and reading.

"As well as the local topographical poems, I am confident that you will be well rewarded with several soul-searching poems. Please give it a try."

Find out more about The Friends of Alfred Williams