Poetry

Pompey Programme

I’ve been neglecting this blog again haven’t I. Will try and post something more substantial soon, but in the meantime, here is my latest contribution to the Pompey match day programme, from the game against Exteer in midweek. We have a guest appearing in today’s programme, and Chris (the other writer involved in this project will have a poem in the following home league programme, with my next copy being in the match following –…

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Poetry

3 Days To Go…

Looking forward to Saturday, and the first game of the season at Pompey.  One of my poems, heavily edited, has been turned into a film which will be shown at the start of the first game of the season at Fratton Park. Which is nice. It won’t be in that particular match day programme, but I’m planning on having the original version in the next one (and no doubt I’ll share it here anyway, whether…

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Poetry

The NHS at 75

On the NHS’ 75th birthday, rather than going into a long rant – what’s the point? – we all know what the Tories have done to the country in the name of austerity over the last 13 years, and how this has impacted on all our public services, and not just the NHS, I thought I’d re-share this poem I wrote to be displayed in one of the Covid wards at QA Hospital. I hope…

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Poetry

Chichester Festival ‘All That Jazz’ Magazine

Delighted to have a poem accepted for this year’s Chichester Festival magazine. Thank you Barry Smith for all that you do. The reading is tonight if anyone is interested, though I can’t be there as I’ll be watching Assassins at the CFT. (probably a good thing anyway as I’m having one of my regular periods of self-doubt as to whether my writing is actually any good…do all writers go through this?) I might need to book an…

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Poetry

Chichester Fringe Festival

A quick plug for the Chichester Festival Fringe From their Facebook post… EXCITING POETRY AT CHICHESTER FRINGE! Don’t miss two fantastic and entertaining events. POETRY TAKE-OFF! sees nine poets go head to head to be declared the Bard of the Day on Wed 14 June, 5.30pm, Draper’s Yard, The Hornet, Chichester, PO19 7JG. Poets include Denise Bennett, Pratibha Castle and 7 others. Who will catch your eye? POETRY IN MOTION – ON THE ROAD. Jazz,…

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Poetry

Running the Streets

The photograph that accompanies this post is of the old railway crossing in Copnor, where a bridge now stands. Apart from large scale slum / post war clearances and rebuilds, many of the changes to city streets are piecemeal. A junction realigned, an old factory knocked down, a local shop converted into a house. My grandmother used to run a general store in Porchester Road, North End. I was born after it was closed, shop…

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Poetry

Stories of the Portsmouth Streets

At a loose end tonight? You could always join me at the latest T’Articulation event, which is free to attend: I’ll be reading, though I haven’t decided what to go with yet. Probably something Pompey related Here’s the blurb The T’Articulation troupe are pleased to invite the well-practised and newly risen, alike, to perform their writings at this friendly event. The theme Stories of the Streets allows for a broad interpretation but will include work…

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