I’ve been to Japan several times on business over the years – airport, hotel, airport. My male hosts were courteous, but inscrutable. …
There are some poems that just keep on giving. This long poem is such a poem. Every reading encourages me to revisit …
You should never admit to being retired. It’s the quickest way to end conversation and watch your interlocutor search the room for …
Several villagers got Covid recently, none badly. Vaccination works. In conversation, everyone harks back to 2020 and their faded memories of insisting …
We decided we’d too many books and made a mountain. But what to lose? I’ve a decent collection of poetry books that …
Friday 6 October Nigel and I landed in Kathmandu after midnight from Dubai. I’d been here before and smiled inwardly at the …
Wednesday 11 October Nigel and I shared a room at each stop. He’s not good in the morning. “Are you awake, Nigel?” …
Wednesday 18 October Today was the start of the festival of Dashain when everything closes, and the Hindi people go home to …
We haven’t had a living poet dominate the English-speaking sector since Seamus Heaney’s death left a huge gap ten years ago. His …
I served on the Liddington Parish Council twenty years ago when Gordon Wilson was chair. It was fun and frustrating – until …
I wrote this column in the “Garden of Dreams” in Kathmandu, a glorious day during the Hindu festival of Dashain. I’d come …
I was on a hike with three grandchildren when I asked them to stop. “I’m sorry,” I said, “you’ll have to speak …
Now and again I come across a cleric who has all the answers but doesn’t allow interaction. I want to put my …
I saved a life recently. I tell you this because CPR works. I often wondered about Heimlich who developed the Heimlich manoeuvre …
There’s nothing more depressing in an English village than a pub closed for months. The edifice is sad, looms larger as months …
Simon Armitage wrote “An Unexpected Guest” for the Coronation. The concept is an ordinary person witnessing history: She’s treated herself to new …
When novels are written in the first person, readers do not assume that the author is the narrator. It’s not like that …
I met a woman from Ghana, Ama, when volunteering. Ghanian names are based on the day of birth and there’s quite a …
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 got covid for a second time recently. Well, a slight exaggeration as I’d had it for only two hours. My wife …
I booked a hotel in Paddington Basin recently. I came out of Paddington Station and looked it up on Google maps. An …
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 …