Author Archives: garylongden

Poetry at the Abbey, Polesworth Abbey, Polesworth

Posted on September 8, 2012 by garylongden

“What is poetry?” is a question beloved of teachers, lecturers and workshop leaders. It invariably elicits a myriad responses , each one a little less sure than the one just offered. It lies all around us in different forms, guises, … Continue reading →

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Parole Parlate, Little Venice, Worcester

Posted on September 7, 2012 by garylongden

Parole Parlate will always have a special place in my affections. When I first ventured beyond the Birmingham conurbation poetry scene the organisers were friendly, warm and welcoming, both as an audience member and performer. Two years on that hasn’t … Continue reading →

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September 2012- What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on September 5, 2012 by garylongden

Birmingham Artsfest – 7th-9th http://www.artsfest.org.uk/ Wirksworth Arts Festival, Derbys 7th-23rd Sept http://www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk/ Stafford Arts Fest 15th Click to access Stafford-Arts-Festival-Timetable.pdf Warwick Words 28th Sept – 7th Oct http://warwickwords.co.uk/ Wellington Literary Festival , Shrops29th Sept- 20th October http://www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/literary-festival/ —————————————————————————————————————————- Saturday 1st … Continue reading →

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July August Poems

Posted on September 5, 2012 by garylongden

These months have been dominated by the Dig at Polesworth but a few others have crept in, taking in Bradley Wiggin’s tour de France triumph, and a moving visit to the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase In A Clearing … Continue reading →

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Dig The Abbey – Part Four

Posted on September 1, 2012 by garylongden

Day seven, and our workshops of exploration drew to a close with a familiar , faithful retinue of regular poets in attendance sprinkled with some occasional visitors. The atmosphere was akin to that on a ship on the day of … Continue reading →

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Hullabaloo Festival, Cheltenham

Posted on August 28, 2012 by garylongden

This is a new festival which ran over the Bank Holiday Weekend at Burley Fields Lake with a full range of music on the main stage . Performance and arts activities were provided for in a tent for poetry on … Continue reading →

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Dig the Abbey – Part Three

Posted on August 28, 2012 by garylongden

With just two sessions left there is a sense of being on the home straight now. On the one hand the site is now quite familiar, on the other there always seems to be something new to write about or … Continue reading →

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Dig the Abbey – Part Two

Posted on August 23, 2012 by garylongden

I had not intended to blog on just one day at the Dig , but day five produced so many poems that it made sense to do so. This session was led by Jacqui Rowe and any fears I had … Continue reading →

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Mee Club , Cabaret and Variety Night, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath

Posted on August 22, 2012 by garylongden

The Mee Club is a relatively new venture, this was its second night, offering a safe and sophisticated singles night out, running fortnightly on a Tuesday evening. Hosted by the vivacious and ebullient Cat Wetherill ,it showcases musicians, storytellers, actors, … Continue reading →

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Kick Off, Boars Head, Kidderminster

Posted on August 22, 2012 by garylongden

The presentation of spoken word continues to evolve, “Kick Off”, is a Kidderminster Arts Festival production , conceived to promote poetry within the context of the opening of the new football season and appeal to an audience outside the usual … Continue reading →

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