Category Archives: Blog

NME – RIP

Posted on March 7, 2018 by garylongden

Another time, another place. At its peak, in the 70’s, it could sell as many as a quarter of a million copies an edition. The Guardian and the FT would be pleased with that today. This Friday will be its … Continue reading →

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Jolene – Dolly Parton, An Appreciation

Posted on March 3, 2018 by garylongden

  When this song was released I was a teenage boy. Apart from a magnificent bust, there was nothing about Dolly Parton that interested me. There are not many good things about growing older, but one of them is the … Continue reading →

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#MeToo Poetry Collection – Fairacre Press

Posted on February 21, 2018 by garylongden

  “Are you reviewing it?” she asked. “No, I feel awkward” I replied. #MeToo is a collection of poems written by women, about women’s experiences with men, carrying a powerful foreword by MP Jess Phillips. It is not an easy … Continue reading →

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“Two” Derby Theatre – A preview

Posted on February 9, 2018 by garylongden

  Derby Theatre is putting on “Two”, by Jim Cartwright, between 2nd- 24th March. It is a play beloved of drama students and teachers, one play, two actors, fourteen characters. It is also a difficult show to pull of convincingly. … Continue reading →

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Rebecca Watts v The In Crowd

Posted on January 21, 2018 by garylongden

It is unusual for  a poetry article to annoy me. A piece by Rebecca  Watts did just that. This is my response. Links to the offending article and associated material are to be found at the bottom of my piece. … Continue reading →

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Grange Theatre Walsall Closed for Urgent Repairs

Posted on January 13, 2018 by garylongden

All at Behind the Arras were saddened to learn of the Grange Players problem with their home, the Grange Playhouse, Broadway North, Walsall, adjacent to the Arboretum. Routine checks unearthed £60,000 worth of essential repairs, a sum way beyond the … Continue reading →

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Midlands Mind Body Spirit Fairs 2018

Posted on December 24, 2017 by garylongden

Some in the literary community look at these events with a mixture of suspicion and derision. They can be a mixed bag. They can  also be events, full of interest, speaker talks, discussions and workshops, and interesting people. They boast … Continue reading →

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Midlands Literary and Poetry Festivals 2018

Posted on December 23, 2017 by garylongden

As 2017 draws to a close, so 2018 looms ever larger. The literary and  poetry festival scene goes from strength to strength with established festivals becoming stronger, and new pretenders appearing all the time. What follows is a list of … Continue reading →

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Sir David Tang

Posted on December 14, 2017 by garylongden

As we grow older, so the number of obituaries for people we knew increases. I was sad to learn of the death of Sir David Tang. He was four years older than me, but we were at the same school, … Continue reading →

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Bernard Davis – Midlands Poetry What’s On November

Posted on October 30, 2017 by garylongden

Garyswordz used to carry a midlands poetry what’s on. But Gary became lazy. Bernard is not, check his listings out: FESTIVALS AND MAJOR EVENT LGBT Arts and Culture 9th – 19th November LISTINGS Throughout November Black Country: The Pit to … Continue reading →

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