When the Rev. Betsy Blatchley, Pioneer Minister for the Arts in Nine Elms, asked if I would be interested in taking part in the Nine Elms Arts Ministry's Artist Studio Christmas residency at art'otel London Battersea Power Station, I jumped at the opportunity.* Italian artist Adalberto Lonardi has created a gorgeous mural in the hotel's art'beat …
Tag: poetry
banging the literary drum for Battersea
On Wednesday evening a brand new literary journal landed in south London. The Battersea Anthology, founded and edited by writer and Battersea resident Priscilla Yeung, was launched at Battersea Bookshop inside Battersea Power Station. What more fitting venue could there be? As well as poetry, short stories and creative non-fiction by writers with a connection …
three magical workshops
I had the pleasure of leading three magical poetry workshops for young adults earlier this month, as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival. These were held at 575 Wandsworth Road, a beautiful and unusual National Trust property. The building is a Georgian terraced house, which was bought by Khadambi Asalache, a Kenyan-born poet, novelist …
a year since found ~ flow ~ flux was launched
A year ago today the found text poetry pamphlet found ~ flow ~ flux was launched at a celebratory event at the ROSE Community Clubroom in Nine Elms. It was the culmination of my commission from Wandsworth Council to create new art in Nine Elms. I loved the whole process. The first part of the …
Continue reading a year since found ~ flow ~ flux was launched
looking ahead to September… and feeling more positive
After the low of no one turning up for my first flying-solo Nine Elms walk earlier this month, I had the pleasure of leading a lovely group around the route on Sunday. I really enjoy sharing information about the area's rich history, and I'll often also pick up an interesting new nugget or two from …
Continue reading looking ahead to September… and feeling more positive
In praise of Pennine Platform
I recently had a poem published in the long established Pennine Platform magazine. The whole experience has been a joy. I got a prompt response to my postal submission, with helpful feedback on poems not taken, and a suggested tweak to the accepted poem, which definitely improved it. Post publication, the editor has passed on …
shedding light on (older) women poets
The Second Light Network aims to promote, encourage and highlight women poets, who traditionally have been underrepresented in the 'canon' and still struggle to pack the same punch as the big boys of the poetry world. As women still largely bear the burden of childcare, and caring more generally, finding the time and resources to …
warming up into 2023
Daffodils are already opening in the community roof garden where I volunteer. Those yellow trumpets certainly lift the spirits, heralding the promise of spring just around the corner. I've had a quietish start to the year and have used this to reflect and think about how I can build on the workshops and walks I …
a poem for Wombat Day 2022
I promised (threatened?) in my post celebrating last year's Wombat Day, to post my wombat poem here this year if it hadn't been accepted for publication by now. So here, in all its earthiness, I present to you: Wombat Scat The wombat is a curious species.Of all the creatures known on earthwombats alone drop cube-shaped …
Hilaire 