FAMILY and friends paid their respects last Friday at the funeral of an Usk poet who was found dead at her home on 1st November.

Over 150 mourners gathered at St Mary's Priory Church in Usk last Friday (19th December) to pay tribute to Anne Jackson aged 78, who wrote under the name Anne Cluysenaar.

Hymns included In the Bleak Midwinter, Bread of Heaven and Abide with Me, with readings by Mark Jackson, her step-son, and Gil Jackson-Hines.

Canon Roy Cale who led the service said it was a very sad day for the family and for the district: "She was a very talented lady and respected in wide circles being well known throughout the district and beyond. She was a very country person in the country and when she was in the academia world she was a real academic."

The eulogy was given by Susan Bassnett, who had known Anne for over 40 years, She spoke passionately about her talented friend and remembered how her friendship with the poet had deepened over the years: "She was not only my friend but my mentor. I would never have been published without her encouragement."

The funeral service was followed by a service at Gwent Crematorium in Cwmbran. Donations were divided between the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Barnado's.

Belgian-born Mrs Jackson, who published her last collection of poems earlier this year, lived at Little Wentwood Farm, in Wentwood, near Llantrisant with her husband, Walt Jackson, pictured left. She had moved as a child with her family to Britain just before the start of the Second World War and started writing poems. From the 1970s until her death, she ran writing workshops in museums, galleries, schools, and community centres.

Her stepson, 48-year-old Timothy Jackson, of Mount Street in Sheffield, will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 17th December charged with her murder. At her inquest it was reported that she had died from stab wounds to her neck and chest.