Author Archives: garylongden

Megan Davies – Forgotten Pop Trailblazer

Posted on October 16, 2011 by garylongden

I have always been hugely interested in popular music , especially that from which I can first remember as a child. My earliest memories? Puff the Magic Dragon- Peter, Paul and Mary, Pet Clarke with Downtown/ Don’t Sleep in the … Continue reading →

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Boring People in Hospital Treatment Waiting Rooms

Posted on October 15, 2011 by garylongden

I prefer silence, quiet reflection Interrupted only by the passing purposeful pace of a nurses flat shoe Or the quiet invocation that it is “time to come through” Where a book may be read, a trusty tome Or ones thoughts … Continue reading →

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Hit the Ode – International Dice Slam, Fazeley Studios, Birmingham

Posted on October 14, 2011 by garylongden

Bohdan Piesecki has been personally responsible for shifting the profile of Birmingham’s poetry scene up several gears with his monthly “Hit the Ode” series at the Victoria Public house in the past year. Tonight, he went still further , assembling … Continue reading →

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Nikki Bennett, Streetly Library

Posted on October 12, 2011 by garylongden

The Midlands is awash at the moment with spoken word events sometimes pulling in hundreds, as at Cafe Yum in Birmingham last week. Yet the backbone of poetry is often to be found in Libraries, with dedicated and knowledgeable librarians … Continue reading →

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Autumn Celebration:Poets for Change, Bloxwich

Posted on October 12, 2011 by garylongden

This is amongst the harder poetry events I have had to review, such was the diversity and quality of what was on show. Organised by Helen Calcutt, and supported by her father David who acted as master of ceremonies, this … Continue reading →

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Birmingham Poet Laureate Tour / Matt Harvey – National Poetry Day

Posted on October 12, 2011 by garylongden

National Poetry Day is now the vehicle that the Birmingham Library Service uses to promote and announce the new Birmingham Poet Laureate. I was fortunate enough to be shortlisted this year for the position myself, so what follows is a … Continue reading →

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Submission

Posted on October 12, 2011 by garylongden

Some talk of fights, struggles and battles As if a glorious campaign is being fought Where the valiant are victorious, and the weak vanquished Yet this in no equal contest One not solicited, or sought No challenge was laid down, … Continue reading →

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Library Love

Posted on October 1, 2011 by garylongden

Our eyes met I gazed In fiction She smiled I beamed We moved to romance Nimble fingers scanned the shelf She was looking for herself I was dewey eyed We whispered surreptitiously Pulse clanging cacophony In biography Then her Mother … Continue reading →

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October What’s On

Posted on October 1, 2011 by garylongden

Lichfield Literary Festival: 1st-13th Wellington Literary Festival : 1st -22nd Birmingham Book Festival: 6th -16th Cheltenham Literary Festival: 7th -16th Warwick Spoken Word Festival: 1st -9th Check Festival Websites for details of the above. Saturday 1st, An Evening with Poet … Continue reading →

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October Spoken Word and Literary Festival Midlands Round-Up

Posted on September 30, 2011 by garylongden

Welcome to my “Festival Special Round-Up”, there is so much going on this month that I have decided to give these events a space all on their own with no fewer than five taking place across the region at Warwick, … Continue reading →

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