Still more news…
Précis Journalists are trained, taught from the beginning, to précis, never to use 100 words where 10 will do, and yet here they are, every morning, filling page after page with coronavirus news, analysis, the latest pet theories, words to reassure or just to pile on worries, anxieties, anguish, doubts with no possibility, or so […]
Highs and lows
Last weekend we had a family trip to see Matilda the Musical. Three generations of Roald Dahl fans enjoyed it hugely, not least the younger generation. One of the things that struck me, as one of the older members of the group, was the very contemporary relevance of some of the points Dahl was making. […]
Arts Alive – very much so
Just in case you’re wondering, the photo has nothing to do with today’s subject, other than timing. Taken while walking the dog the other day, it’s just a good reminder of the beauty around us which I seem to need at the moment. No prizes for guessing why. It’s also a reminder that beauty can […]
Words and pictures
A special treat on a wet autumn day – a trip to Leith Hill Place on the North Downs to see their latest exhibition, an open call exhibition for artists on an autumnal theme. The exhibition features a range of media, including stained glass, ceramics and textiles. It also features work by members of Mole […]
What the Peacock Replied
I spent a very interesting and enjoyable evening in The Keep, one of Guildford’s friendliest pubs, at the launch of Dempsey and Windle’s latest anthology – What the Peacock Replied. The anthology features the winners and shortlisted poets from the Brian Dempsey Memorial Competition and a fine mix of poems. styles and voices it was. […]
Venues, grand and otherwise
From the pub to the convent Over the last few weeks I’ve been involved in a number of performances in a bewildering range of venues. Poetry readings in pubs, my latest play in a National Trust property, choral Dvorak in a 14th century convent (pictured) and jazz under the watchful eye of Yehudi Menuhin. That’s […]
Surrey Unearthed – and Dorking Talking
Surrey Poetry and Summer heat It was a hot evening on Monday and the 38 people crammed into Narnia didn’t make it feel any cooler as Mole Valley Poets unveiled their latest anthology. Narnia? The back room of the Old House pub in Dorking, so named because you enter through the wardrobe. There were no […]
Poems to Keep
image courtesy of bucaorg (Paul Burnett) and Flickr 1000 monkeys I went to a poetry event on Monday. Read some poems. In a pub. Nothing unusual in that, but this was a bit special as it was the launch of an anthology and all the readers were poets who had poems in the anthology. A wonderful mix […]