After Children In Need at Waterstones.

As I had hoped the fundraiser in Waterstones went off extremely well. I was so impressed by the way people got on board with the idea from the start. All the poets did really well. We had a delightful mix of words ranging from the thought provoking to some old favourites. Of course there was a lot of original poetry which is always wonderful. I admit to a little nervousness at the beginning when it seemed that only three poets were there but they all arrived in the end. The perils of public transport and parking in Cheltenham had simply delayed a few people for a while. The event went more quickly than I had planned but I think that's because I was whizzing about collecting money in between announcing poets and talking to people. The friends who came to help did a sterling job. Their fancy dress costumes were very well made and they brightened up The Promenade for many passers-by. Two of the partaking poets were very brave. both Gill Wyatt and Jay Brook had never read in public before. they both read well and provided some really good work. It's not easy to get up and speak your hearts work in front of strangers and I thank them doubly for shelving their nerves and doing it for the kids. So, after the event Harry and I took the money collected to the bank. H had to carry it as I couldn't. Have you any idea how heavy a bucket full of coins is? I then sent the required paperwork off to the BBC with the Bank's stamp on it. Then the total sum poster went off to Waterstones and the request for a Pudsey 'Thank You' certificate went to the Beeb as well. All done and dusted. All that remains it to watch the huge BBC Children In Need event on TV tonight. I've called us The Gloucestershire Poets.I wonder if they'll mention us on the banner that runs across the

screen?

busy, busy, busy.

Well, I have been busy with the forthcoming Children In Need fundraiser at Waterstones. I've found out my old copy of The Nations Favourite Poems just in case anyone needs to choose something from it. I have my collection buckets ready, complete with yellow Pudsey ribbons and stickers. The poets are working away on their words and I have just been interviewed for the Gloucester Echo. They should carry the feature on Tuesday. I hope it brings plenty of people into the book store. My own fundraising(sponsoring and donations) from neighbours etc. is going well. I feel a little momentum building now and it's great. I shall continue to email the world and its grandmother up until Friday night.It should be great fun. I hope to see you there folks. Please come along.

Update.

Well, the operation was cancelled at the last minute after a very frustrating and irritating few hours at the hospital. Not to mention starving myself and getting very little sleep the night before. I have though had more time to work on the children In Need event. It is proving a little frustrating. I have now got 12 very good poets to come along and read, plus a storyteller. However half of them won't tell me when they want to read and one hasn't contacted me since I first floated the idea weeks ago. I have tried to raise interest but my emails to the local papers radio and TV companies go unanswered. It's so annoying. I shall make another onslaught and hope for the best.

This weeks work.

it seems a long time since I last wrote yet it isn't actually too long. I have had many things to sort out prior to going into hospital for a knee replacement. I have no idea how well I shall be able to walk after the op. I assume walking with a stick will come first. It's a bit awkward trying to organise a fundraiser for Children In Need with the hospital visit falling right in the middle of me returning from holiday and the event itself. Still, I digress. I have had seven lovely kind poets offer their time and talent for the said afternoon and I shall read too, even if its from a wheelchair. I'm hoping it will be a good event. It's something I planned to do over the years but has always coincided with me being ill or having surgery. Maybe this will be the year! I have also tried to drum up some publicity and contacted newspapers, TV and Radio. No response yet though.

Besides all this I have brought back eight poems from my holiday in Wales and have been working on those. I have written a couple more chapters of my crime novel and entered a few competitions. This week I have four medical appointments so I'm fitting work in where I can. I was pleased to have a poem accepted last week but that was followed by two rejections. The balance is about right.
I have added the details of the Children In Need event below for those who might be interested

a lapse of memory.

I was so busy yesterday describing the tent and the event that I forgot to put my winning poem on the blog. Here it is:





Tideline.

I am at the feet of the dunes. Buffeted by a breeze
with feet blued by the lap and chuckle of an Welsh tide.
Rocks, pebbles, grit, and sand. Place strata of textures
for my seeking toes and the waters lacy edge deposits items
for my choosing. Gentled from the cupped palm of a wave.
Bladder wracks’ fat air-sacs bulge as it entwines
with glistening ribbons of seaweed. They glimmer sharp
as a diesel-spill rainbow. Razor-shells gleam, shiny
with pink nacre To lie like pooh-sticks on the sand.
Scallops scatter. Spilt coins from a Pirates purse.
Washed by the wave’s salty fingers. Hemmed in
by the conical swirls of worm-casts. Bejewelled
by the last bubbles of the creatures departure.
Even mans’ discarded items become the sea’s own.
They are faded. Eroded. Changed by briny abrasion.
All are softly rounded, Polished smooth with sharp edges
stroked into sinuous curves. The tide-line draws me on.
Each step shows more as I meander slow and wind-blown
along the water’s edge.

A Night in the Speigeltent.

Last nights Gloucester writers Network event was full of surprises for me. Firstly, the tent was a fabulous confection of architectural styles. A sort of melange of Burlesque, Rococo, Baroque and Fairground. I kept expecting a carousel of horses to rise slowly from the floor and rotate around us.The cupola was edged with coloured windows, the supporting beams were clad in moulded cherubs, people and various plant forms and the main roof was alternating great swags of green and dark red velvety fabric. The walls sported decorative mirrors, more mouldings in the shape of swags of foliage and every wall panel was coloured and decorated. It was all very opulent and there was a bar, just to make it even more civilised. The second surprise was how well attended the event was. Most of the tables and chairs were full and believe me it was a large venue. I saw many old friends and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I enjoyed the readings very much. The stories and poems were interesting, thought provoking, poignant and sometimes funny. All emotions were catered for. I also loved having a proper sound system for vocal clarity. I haven't been on a stage with foldback since I was a percussionist years ago. Thank you sound man, for getting the balance right. Rona Laycock organiser(and editor of Graffiti Magazine) did a sterling job of organising us readers and of being MC for the night. Finally, although I knew that I had won the poetry section of this competition (though not until a few errors in communication were sorted out) I didn't know that there was a trophy that I am to keep for a year or that there was a cash prize. I was delighted then, to go home feeling proud that I had won and hadn't fluffed my words and carrying the beautiful Poets Hare trophy and fifty quid in my purse. The Hare is sitting on my desk for inspiration and I am very tired. The only thing I didn't like, from a purely personal point of view, was that the step up to the stage was too high. My arthritic knees would't allow me to scale the step so I had to ask for help. Not something I like doing. Thankfully, Guy,who was also reading,was there to help me up. Thanks Guy and your story was brilliant. I loved it. So. A good night all round. I wonder what next years theme will be?

GWN Poetry Competition winners event.

Some of the best writers in Gloucestershire will be presenting their work at the Cheltenham Literature Festival
7.30pm Tuesday 11 October 2011.
The Spiegeltent, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham.




Tickets (£6) are available through the Festival Box Office – 01242 505444
or via the website
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature








Some of the best writers in Gloucestershire will be presenting their work at the Cheltenham Literature Festival
7.30pm Tuesday 11 October 2011.
The Spiegeltent, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham.




Tickets (£6) are available through the Festival Box Office – 01242 505444
or via the website
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature