Monday 13 August 2012

Poetry News

A new poem from my forthcoming book I-spy and Shanty will appear in the next edition of South magazine this autumn. The good thing about South is that submissions are selected anonymously, so everyone is in with the same chance of being published. It's all about the work. You can check it out here and order a copy, if you were kind and so minded:
http://www.southpoetry.org/

Saturday 11 August 2012

Cinema en plein air, Parc de la Villette

The season for sitting in a park at night watching a movie on a giant inflatable screen is upon us. I made it to the Parc de la Villette this week, as finally the weather is being kind, to see Looking for Eric, which is a bitter sweet offering from Ken Loach that I seemed to have missed when it came out in 2009.

It was odd though listening to the French reaction to a film in which the English worship of Eric Cantona plays a central role. Great company and it is only a pity it goes on late for a school night.

You can see the rest of the programme here:http://www.villette.com/fr/agenda/Cinema-en-plein-air-2012.htm

Go early and picnic, but if you take chairs, be courteous and sit towards the back. It's free by the way.

Monday 6 August 2012

Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton

We set off  on a sunny day, but no sooner had we traversed a few miles of country than the most audacious rainstorm caught us quite unprepared...



Luckily it's the 21st century and we were in our van not a chaise. I hadn't been to Chawton for years until yesterday and what a delight. The garden was looking fabulous and the house was freshly painted with new rooms open. The holy grail that is Jane's writing desk is now behind perspex, but is being faded by the sun streaming in from the front window. Her patchwork quilt is carefully behind glass and in a dark back bedroom, so hopefully it will last.



Chawton is a picture postcard village with thatched houses and a lovely manor. We avoided Cassandra' Cup themed tea rooms to picnic in the park across the road, not exactly Box Hill, but the English countryside on a summer's day while the nation was indoors watching the Olympics, perfect.

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

Friday 3 August 2012

Poetry News

I am thrilled to be one of 108 poets from around the world to be included in the Rhino Poetry Anthology which will be published in South Africa later this year. It is shocking that hundreds of rhino are killed for their horns every year to supply the Chinese medicine trade. I am glad to be in such good company to raise funds to prevent these attacks on one of the world's most endangered animals.

Please buy a copy of the anthology when it appeasrs. More information on this project from the noble Harry Owen here: http://rhinoanthology.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/appeal-for-sponsors-do-you-know-someone-who-can-help/

Black rhino