Phontastic!

No hurricanes this time, but instead a whirlwind of words, both spoken and written.  Firstly the wonderful Phonic Room, at the Boston Tea Party, with its wonderful mix of artists and spoken content.  I went to listen, but managed to read too as part of an energising evening.  The layout had changed from last time and the performance spot was now over the former cellar doors…

Then tonight it was our Poetry Stanza meeting, a wonderful evening with good friends, good poetry and good times.

A slight lull then a couple of events are coming up in mid-August, our Charity Poetry Reading at the Farrier’s Arms, Fish Street, Worcester from 7.00/7.30pm as part of the Worcester Festival on 18th August to raise money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Appeal, then on the 20th it’s the August Phonic Room, which is part of the Worcester Music Festival, at the Boston Tea Party from 7.00.

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A whirlwind week.

It’s been a hectic week and then some.  I was in Droitwich on the 10th July with the Bean and the Bear to see some of the launch of Sarah James’ first collection, Into the Yell.  As well as poetry there were many family focussed events including face-painting, shaker-making and street entertainment.  The Bean and the Bear also joined in with the interactive Haiku display and we all had a wonderful morning.

I took part in Oxfam’s Bookfest fortnight by being one of their Writer in Residence over the fortnight.  It was a wonderful experience and included story-telling to toddlers in the morning and included being interviewed by Radio BBC Hereford and Worcester, which I’ve not yet been able to listen to.

Prior to that, the previous evening, a local village was visited by a mini tornado, fortunately there wasn’t too much damage but a wonderful willow tree was sadly uprooted, but at least it fell away from any buildings.

Social Ritual

It’s been a busy few days – last Thursday I met up with friends at the launch of Social Ritual at Kidderminster Library which was a wonderful mix of artwork and poetry all on the theme of, yes, you’ve guessed it – Social Ritual.  I read alongside many excellent poets including Sarah James, Jodie Lee Ford and Sophia Dimmock.

pic by Jackson Bollock

pic by Jackson Bollock

Then I’ve spent some wonderful time listening to poetry over the weekend, firstly listening to Jane Weir who read in Worcester on Saturday as part of Oxfam Bookfst, then a quick trip to Ledbury to hear Billy Collins, the Poet in Residence read in the evening and back to Ledbury on Sunday for a fantastic Poetry & Art workshop from the wonderful Pascale Petit and then I heard Christopher Reid in conversation with Roz Goddard on his book of Ted Hughes’ letters.

A wonderful, wonderful weekend.