Arts Alive becomes Arts E-Live
Arts Alive is back – in a different form, as most festivals are this year. At Damn Cheek we’ve now participated in Buxton Fringe and the Saltaire Festival with on line productions and it’s good to be able to add Arts Alive to the list. Three festivals we have existing relationships with, three festivals where […]
Lines from Lockdown
We had a beautiful creative evening last week, when Mole Valley Poets held an open Zoom session of work created during lockdown. Nine poets, nine styles, and subject matter ranging from grief to joy, looking back and looking forward. We had a guest compere in Darren Cheek and treated the evening as a Mole Valley […]
On line poetry – and history in the making
I’ve tended to have an old fashioned view of libraries – a very positive one, but limited to book borrowing, quiet spaces for reading and a children’s corner. Of course, there is much or to a modern library than that and I have become involved with a couple of aspects of Surrey Libraries of which […]
Relax (don’t do it?)
I suppose the religious analogy is with the ‘last days’ where everything is in a state of chaos and confusion and expectation of the second coming. For us, right now, there are some definite parallels. The chaos and confusion is there, certainly. There are even a couple of candidates for the AntiChrist figure. But the […]
These are the things
I’ve been thinking about what happens next. There’s been a lot of talk in the press, and shared posts on social media, about the stresses of lockdown and I understand that. I’m also aware that I’m in a privileged position with a garden, surrounded by countryside, and no longer worried about maintaining a steady job […]
A day for hope
It’s Easter Sunday and the message of resurrection will be proclaimed from pulpits all over the land – to empty churches with the services beamed into living rooms. Just one example of the changes in our national life over the last few weeks. Whatever our beliefs, faiths or traditions I’m sure we’re all looking for […]
Cancellations and opportunities
This feels like day one of a new regime. Lots of new rules to observe, even if they’re presented as advice. Cut out social interaction, avoid the pub, no gatherings, self isolate where symptoms present. And more still for the over 70s and those with health problems. So where do we go from here? Yesterday […]
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. […]
The power of music
I watched a documentary last night on Dame Janet Baker. An hour and a half of memories, insights and emotion. I grew up listening to Janet Baker singing and remember the sense of pride in her as well as the admiration of her voice, her craft and her dedication. She was a Yorkshire lass and […]
Poems, Pints and a break from politics
It’s officially Advent and Mole Valley Poets took the opportunity to launch their latest Christmas Anthology at the Stepping Stones Pub in West Humble on Monday evening. The launch took place as part of an open mic evening – ‘Poetry Pub’ at the Stepping Stones has become a regular feature of the calendar – and […]