I was chair in a local Wine Group this past year and it was delightful. We’ve been going for ten years with …

I’ve dark feelings when winter clouds are grey and miserable over Swindon. Even the dog is laconic, still wants his walks, happy …

The writer, Maeve Binchy, was renowned for her literary soirées. Her guests were allowed ten minutes to talk about their ailments and …

Christmas last year was memorable for all the wrong reasons. We had our regular event, “Carols and Poems” in the Church Hall. …

Sometimes you meet a young person, and you know you’re in the presence of talent. My friend, Olivia Tuck, is such a …

“France?” said Terry. “I’ve never been outside Swindon in my life. No, tell a lie. I went to Wootton Bassett once.” He …

You’ll hear about Philip Larkin in the coming months. It’s his anniversary. Like most people, I loved his lines: They fuck you …

Transferring skills to another is a special gift. It cannot be over-valued. I’ve done it myself – mentoring young poets, but also …

I love browsing the stories and photos in Archives. I’ve met some of the retired photographers and love their work. They are …

I booked a hotel in Paddington Basin recently. I came out of Paddington Station and looked it up on Google maps. An …

I got covid for a second time recently. Well, a slight exaggeration as I’d had it for only two hours. My wife …

I have two local friends who were 90 recently, Joy Vincent and Barbara Carey. Unfortunately, there was no celebration because of Covid. …

We need a laugh this month. My friend, Stuart Lavis, sent me a video of Scottish poet, Walter McCorriscen, who won the …

If you travel roads near where I live before 8am, you’ll encounter a blonde vision. The colour of her hair through the …

I live in a cottage that was the epicentre for Swindon’s cobblers, back in the days. My father used to repair our …

I’d a few pints with two friends, John Dale and Ian Handey, recently. They are both in their 80s though you wouldn’t …

Hazel May, my dear friend, this story has to be told. Now, before I begin, let me say that Hazel is a …

When I was young there were three people who were revered – priest, schoolmaster and doctor. The first lost his way, the …

Paul Waites was Vice-Chancellor for the day and I was Professor of English. You couldn’t make it up. Two friends, Katy Crowley …

Every year Poetry Swindon runs a weekend with local and visiting poets. This year it’s branded “The Big Poetry Weekend” and there …

I wrote in a recent article that my friend, Paul Waites, composed a poem for my birthday. I said it was so …

I’m sure some of you know Milton Campbell from Stratton St. Margaret. You’ll understand the link here with his first name, Milton. …

I love it when there’s a bit of colourful distraction on a Hash. Kathy led the way with her exquisite summer clothing, …

My friend, Brian, is in the terminal cancer zone but he is handling it well. Recently his family chipped together and bought …

I spent the last weeks above the Arctic Circle in Greenland. The attraction was the Polar Marathon followed next day by a …

It took place in the Arctic Circle, north of Kangerlussac in Greenland. The Great Bear Challenge was to run the Marathon on Saturday …

Swindon has a newly published poet. Happy Days! He is Stephen Daniels and he’s been nurtured over the past few years from …

An old school friend, Noel Boyce, posted on Facebook yesterday that 50 years ago in Dublin we started our final exams, the …

This is how it happened. I went to a rugby match in Bath and took a shortcut across a grassy bank. My …

Have you ever entered a poetry competition? If you are a closet poet it’s a great way to test yourself. Winning poems …

I was in the House of Commons recently for the launch of the “Ovarian Cancer Awareness” programme. So how does a male …

I was in Chicago several years ago on St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone wore green and spoke in silly Irish accents. Even the …

Have you ever seen a poetry film? It’s a modern way of linking both media and it’s certainly to the advantage of …

I am preparing for an annual poetry reading in Liddington. This year I have four young people as side-kicks. They chose poems …