First bardic duties, for Feastival!

Saturday (25th Feb) was a big day of bardic business, and after learning that it takes me a good twenty minutes to drive to Stony, I made a mad dash for the direction of the Community Orchard. It was only then (having not had time to check out the area in advance) that I learned the scale of the project! My guess is at least forty people were digging and litter picking on that large area just beyond Freestones on Calverton Road preparing the ground for the planting of seeds and saplings in the upcoming weeks.  Thankfully it was a dry day, and frost-free, although still sufficiently cold for a wuss like me to really not cope too well outdoors for very long.

Everyone gathered for my little performance to mark the occasion, and were very appreciative although I did feel a little guilty to come and leave so quickly, leaving everyone else working so hard. I shook a lot of hands, and agreed to meet with many Stony In Bloom folk again for their upcoming events. They’re a serious bunch doing some great work, I hope to have a chance to write for them soon.

I did have to dash as I had shopping and other errands to do, and had to finish my poem for the evening too. Yes, I do like to leave things late sometimes, I think I’m addicted to stress. By some miracle, I got everything done and was surprisingly relaxed by the evening.

So, just before 8pm on Saturday night, after giving a friend a swift guided tour of Stony Stratford, I arrived at the Cock & Bull Real Beer festival. I jostled through the boisterous but friendly crowd to get some of that lovely ale. There were some kind well-wishers in the house, including some from that morning in the orchard. Despite the noise and, er enthusiasm, at this well-underway party, the PA managed to cut across most of the room. And I had the pleasure of this audience quieting down to enjoy some (*shock!*) poetry and, most enjoyably, shouting the poem’s hook back at me in a call-and-response that exceeded my meagre plans and expectations.

Certainly a very enjoyable day, but it actually took me a while to come down from. I’ll be taking part in the “Musical Jam” at the White Horse on 1^st March, then might pay Milton Keynes’ Speakeasy a visit on Friday. Other than that, I have a bit of a gap in the poetry diary, time to catch up on some other things, and hopefully find some time to reflect and to write, as Scribal Gathering (13^th March at the Bull) is also fast approaching.

Keep up with all the news in Stony and beyond at: http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Buckinghamshire/Milton-Keynes/MK11/News

Dealing with deadlines

it's now 2.30 on a Monday morning. These are not wise hours to keep, but sometimes you just have to keep going 'til the job's done. My piece for the official opening/planting of the Community Orchard (10am Sat. 25th Feb) is now done. Ahead of time? No, just in time for the deadline for the Town Crier.

Hopefully they like it and will print it as this is surely an interesting topic for Stonyphiles. If not, well, the deadline has done me good, and I can now focus on writing something for the Cock & Bull beer festival, to perform on either the Friday or Saturday of that same weekend.

It's certainly nice to feel wanted by all these inspiring local causes, but it's a long way past my bedtime and I'll probably need to be prodded with a pointy-stick at my desk tomorrow. Coming back from America on Wednesday did not leave me jet-lagged, but being a poet.... well, it's an occupational hazard we have to suffer sometimes.

busy days keep a-coming...

Last night (Sunday 5th Feb), had a great gig with the Rrrants collective at the Camden Eye. I must admit (and I've never been shy to say so) it's not my favourite haunt for a number of reasons, but Ian, Paul, Donna and the crew (mostly Emma and Vicki!) dress the place and set it up very well, and there was a good number of people in, including some new faces!

It was a good night, and I would list some of the highlight performers... there was a John Hudson (very funny songs, played with real star-quality gusto), Ant Smith was good (though he was annoyed that I dared sneak out for a wee during his set. Sorry, but there are no intervals in a Rrrants night so someone has to get the "walk out"!) and it's always a delight to see Julie Mullen. And I shouldn't sound like I take The Antipoet for granted. They're always an incredible live act, joyously funny, anarchic and energetic. I don't know any other act who can consistently be the host AND the headline, and still not look like they're hogging the limelight, but keenly sharing it with professionals and newcomers alike. Damn them!

I do enjoy being introduced as the bard of Stony Stratford, but it means I feel I should (a) explain where it is and why it matters and (b) have some new/good/relevent material.

Oops. Still, I took courage from the fact that I wasn't the only person to fluff a few lines. And that I was put on early so I could leave early, although travel and weather conditions meant that I didn't reach my poor little iced-up car at MK station until 1am!

Monday has meant 2 things: I've finally sent my first dispatch to http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Buckinghamshire/Milton-Keynes/MK11 where I hope to have a regular spot, and to direct people to, as it's an excellent and growing website;
Secondly, I've recorded a number of "Valentine's Day" poems and a short interview with Mark Niel to use on his Wednesday morning show on 3 Counties Radio!  I'm very lucky to have such well-connected friends, and it's nice to talk about Stony, performance poetry, and the Bardship.

And with Mark Grist's recent rap-battle win on Don't Flop going viral, and Dan Cockrill joining the many Bang Said the Gun faces and voices on Channel 4s Random Acts, maybe 2012 will be the year that performance poetry reaches new heights and wider audiences.

And with that exciting thought, and the first bardic deadlines looming, I have to somehow get some sleep. Not least because of some recent late nights, and because tomorrow is my last day at the real job  for a whole week!

Opening ceremony

On Tuesday 31^st January 2012, the Bardic Council of the beautiful historic market town of Stony Stratford held an open competition to find their new town bard. This was the second “Bardic Trial” and the inaugural bard, Ian Freemantle, had come to the end of his impressively creative and eventful year. The standard has been set high.

The night, at The Crown in the market square, was well-attended and competitively fought. Over 3 rounds the audience and a panel of judges voted to find who they thought best deserved the title Bard of Stony Stratford.

I am honoured and deeply humbled to have been voted the winner.

Before anything, I want to extend my thanks to those who made the event so great: The team at Scribal Gathering, the other competitors, the judges and the featured performers. And all those who attended to give this fantastic cause its deserved sense of importance, especially those who voted for little me!

The first thing I did as bard was to lose the beautiful Bardic Book, so lovingly created by Ian Freemantle and Jess Midwood as an ongoing scrap-book of relevant cuttings and contributions. And as for the giant pencil I was also proffered (I assume, to humourously match the giant book) I dropped it in my kitchen as soon as I got home. Thankfully only chipping a little of the tip. And, more thankfully, the Bardic Book was rescued from where I left it (on the floor of The Crown!) by Ian & Jess, guess they just couldn’t BEAR to part with it just yet!) We have high hopes for where the book should be kept, which hopefully will be confirmed soon.

It’s been a fantastic week, with some press interest and a lot of enthusiasm and kind words from friends, family and fellow poets. This really does feel important. On Friday night, Ian, Jess and I gathered with Richard Frost to record an interview for local internet radio station Secklow Sounds. I hope Richard recorded sufficient usable material. We started quite formal and stilted then, in an attempt to loosen up, drank lots of beer and wine, and had a picnic.

This exuberance wouldn’t have been possible where it not for Ian & Jess’ offer of hospitality. Of course, they live in Stony Stratford, and I was able to leave my car for the night and stay in their beautiful home.

Whilst I grew up in hilltop (next to Fullers Slade), close enough to call Stony my home, I now live in Monkston, which is about 9 miles away! I get to the town whenever I can, for live entertainment, gift shopping, as well as groceries and other necessities if possible.  I would like to live closer to Stony one day, it always surprises me what a strong little town it is, with real community spirit and independence, but I’m not in a position to move homes at the moment, and at least there’s always plenty of free parking. It’s good to have hospitable friends there though, just in case!

Bardic Business proper began this morning, with a tea’n’cakes event at Stony Library from 11am, to celebrate National Libraries week, and to discuss and celebrate the library’s rescue from closure. I hadn’t been called upon to do anything, but decided that I needed to be there. It was very busy, and I met a number of people from various groups and committees to talk about my role, the importance of poetry and performance to the town and in general, and what I could bring to the various local causes. A lively and well-run gathering left me impressed and exhilarated. I also ended up with a huge pile of books to take home... well, I couldn’t resist! Got some shopping done in the town and bought myself a Stony Stratford Calendar (brilliantly pre-filled with so many festivals, market days, and special events!)

Now my diary is bursting with contacts and possible deadlines for poems-to-be, and my mind is buzzing with ideas of how to make the most of this role for the year ahead. Mostly though, I’m so enthused by how busy the town was today. I’m really looking forward to spending more time here and contributing the occasional bit of rhyming commentary. Honoured and humbled, yes, but mostly inspired. I think I’ve found my Muse.