Festivals and Friends

I was delighted to hear earlier this week that I shall be reading at the Cheltenham Literature Festival again in October as a story of mine was shortlisted in the prose section of the Gloucestershire Writer's Network competition. The public booking opens this week and I shall be there for tickets for several events. However, I must say that I was rather disappointed when looking at the overall programme; quite a lot of the events appear to be simply opportunities for "celebrities" to showcase new books and the cost of some events is beyond me - much though I would like to hear the speakers, I'm not prepared to pay for the two course lunch or the "afternoon tea with finger sandwiches" that accompanies them. This is a literature festival after all!

A busy week with other things too. I spent a great afternoon at the P3 charity in Pitville facilitating a poetry class with some of their service users. We took "our names" as a theme and it was remarkable what came out of the exercise. Many thanks to Josh for inviting me and to the group for making me so welcome.

On Tuesday we had our Picaresque summer lunch at the home of one of our members in Stroud and, despite dismal August weather, had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Two of our group weren't able to join us but we raised a glass to them and look forward to getting back together in the coming months for more poetry writing and performances. I've found belonging to the group enormously beneficial - over the last couple of years we have all become close friends as well as fellow travellers on our poetry journeys and the support and encouragement I've received has seen me through some difficult patches. The same applies to my colleagues at the Catchword writing group in Cirencester. I know that writing groups don't work for some people but I'm certainly not one of them!

Normality resumed

Always difficult coming back to normality after some time away - especially when the weather turns miserable, work piles up in the study and the house etc. etc ... but I had a gentle re-introduction at the weekend with a couple of nice walks with the dog (who was very pleased to see me home again!) before having to attack the e mails, the ironing and the rest of the minutiae of everyday life.

I always find walking inspirational - the sheer physicality of it as well as what I may see or hear. On Sunday we had a call to make in the Forest of Dean; later we drove on down to the River Wye and had a long walk along its very peaceful banks, with only the occasional company of fishermen, an odd walker or two and a few enthusiasts on the water. As we climbed a small incline into a wooded area I noticed an ancient wooden canoe upturned to the right of the path and behind it the most lovely old house, partly stone, partly half-timbered. For the rest of the afternoon my imagination ran riot around who may have lived in the house over the years. To whom did the canoe belong? How long has it lain abandoned there, what might be the history behind it? By the following morning a short story had taken root and I'm working on it today ...

Swanwick Farewell

I'm back at home for a rest! A wonderful week at Swanwick but fairly knackering - so much on offer and you don't want to miss anything. On the learning programme side, topping my list would have to be John Lamont's "Succeed On Purpose - In Life And Writing" - a motivational course with a difference - followed closely by Barney Bardsley's "Writing About Loss And Recovery". On the social side - well, where to start?! The Buskers Evening was great (some real musical talent there) and "Page To Stage" - a series of five minute plays rehearsed and produced within 24 hours - showcased some great thespian skills too. The last night pantomime was a take on "Romeo And Juliet" and brought the house down. All in all, a tremendously enjoyable and valuable learning experience - one I'll certainly hope to repeat next year.

Richard at the "Dregs Party" before dinner ....

.....and Richard after dinner! A good time had by all.

The best laid plans ...

I'd been told that the Poetry Open Mic is always popular at Swanwick, always well attended. So we were looking forward to a good audience yesterday evening as Richard, our "techie", set up the recording equipment in the Main Conference Hall, as we took up positions for a rehearsal and ran through our "Seasons" piece. But by ten to ten we were still the only people in the hall, rows and rows of empty seats staring blankly at us. By five to, total panic set in.

The simple answer of course - we'd misread the programme and the hordes were gathered in the Main Lounge, drinks in hand, poems at the ready. We skidded in with two minutes to spare, slid into the back row and composed ourselves just in time for our slot ....

Catchword Writers - aka The Four Seasons

which regrettably could not be recorded for posterity, but was well received anyway and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. A glass or two of wine restored equilibrium and we have learned our lesson for next year!

Two days in ...

Tea on the terrace

Well, everyone who told me how fantastic Swanwick Writer's Summer Schools are was spot on - the courses, social activities, the facilities here are all superb. But I was not prepared for quite how knackering it is! There's so much going on, and everything seems far too interesting to miss out on, so it's non-stop activity dawn to well past dusk. The 22.00 slot this evening is the Poetry Open Mic and the four of us here from Catchword will be performing our "Seasons" sequence - hopefully I'll have some photos to post tomorrow. But this is where you can begin your day with meditation by the lake -

....an inspiring start for any writer

I'm late, I'm late .....

In haste! I'm just packing to leave for the Swanwick Writer's Summer School later this morning and really looking forward to it - watch this space for updates on the week. But I had to write a quick post about yesterday evening's New Bohemians get-together - a really super event.

Jennie Farley

Tim Burroughs

We were only a stone's throw from where Lewis Carroll weaved magical stories for Alice a hundred and fifty years ago and we celebrated his most famous text in great style. The tables were beautifully laid for a Mad Hatter's tea party; we dined on jam tarts and cucumber sandwiches (the crusts cut off, of course) and were entertained with poems and games, stories and music. Deepspace in Charlton Kings certainly lends itself to this type of event - many thanks to Su for hosting it. And to Jennie (the Queen of Hearts), Eley (the Mad Hatter), Kim (Alice) and the wonderful musicians - Keith on guitar, Geoff March (now there's an appropriate name!) on cello, Tim Burroughs on sitar (really haunting) and Chris and Mandy, The Acoustics.                         

The next New Bohemians evening will be on Friday October 16th and will feature a fun workshop with Eley Furrell on presentation skills. Do join us if if you're in the area - 7.30pm at Deepspace in Hamiliton Street, Charlton Kings - the workshop, "bring and share readings", wine and nibbles in the interval with interesting people to chat with - what better way to spend an autumn evening?! 

Radio and Rabbits

On Thursday we recorded the next "Writer's Room" programme for Corinium Radio - as always an interesting experience. In addition to poetry and three short stories, there was also a creative non-fiction piece this time, the work of a volunteer who had gone out to Africa with the "bridge2aid" dental charity. This wasn't a charity of which I was aware and it was fascinating to hear about their work, taking treatment to developing countries and training local care workers in dental health. Do visit their website for further information.

Liz Young and Rona Laycock ready to record

A busy week ahead, culminating in the Swanwick Writer's Summer School which begins on Saturday. But Friday sees the next New Bohemians evening at Deepspace in Charlton Kings. It promises to be a great evening - a summer party with poetry and music, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. So if you should be in the area on Friday August 7th at 7.30pm, the invitation is there to come along with a teacup and something curious! And who knows what might happen should you follow a white rabbit down a hole ....