Update

 

The Publicity Machine with which I attempt to inform the world of my many works is, to say the least, a faulty jalopy.  It limps along on laptops but fails completely to be readable on a phone, as I don't have a clue how to make the necessary adaptations.  So there we are, all I really want to do is to write stories & poems, so it should come as no surprise that I haven't got around to creating a 2026 news page until nearly May.  And of course, with such long gaps, I find I've forgotten how to do even the things I've managed to teach myself as regards working in html &/or according to the strictures of Wix, my site provider.  All the frustrations that come with the forgetfulness tend to put me off, so the breaks between updates get longer, I forget even more & hey presto... a vicious cycle ensues.  Well, that's enough griping, let's see what's new....​

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Words Underground 

 

The Words Underground readings in the wonderful 'Nun's Passage' basement of Shaftesbury's King Alfred's Kitchen café have entered their second year.  With the invaluable help of Robin Walter & Catherine Simmonds, I organise and compere these events, each now with two guest poets doing 20 minute readings, five or six short open readings & occasional musical interludes.  This year's first was back in January, with two excellent poets from the Salisbury area, Matt Cutts and Grace Gauld.  The next was on 8th May and  featured Linda Coggin (author of 'Small Talk', her excellent poetry collection, along with a number of children's books) and Stephen Boyce.  Stephen has quite a track history, including 3 poetry collections amongst several published works.  So it was no surprise when he gave us an excellent reading touching on his previously published work & an upcoming new collection.  Here's the flyer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And here's a shot of Grace reading at the earlier one, with some of the 30 or so audience in the foreground.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next one will be in or around October this year with guest poets David Caddy (Tears in the Fence editor) & Mo Kiziewicz.

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Coming Up

 

Here's a quick round-up of what's to come in 2026.  As announced on the Home page I'll be launching my poetry collection 'Beholders' on August  29th (see item below).  But before that I read a programme of poems old & new at the Shaftesbury Fringe in early July.  Photo below.

 

 

 

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​And so to the book launch.  Here's the flyer...

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And here's a preview of the book itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the launch, I'll be a guest reader at the Tears in the Fence Festival, where the book  will feature prominently in my reading which will take place on the Saturday night.​

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I'll still be doing the book-stall at the TitF festival as usual

 

And it looks like the animation for the 'Whale Poo Quadrille' video is nearing completion, which may prove a useful tool in the dissemination of aquatic ecology & will at least be a joy to see after 5 years of waiting! So plenty more to come, but that's quite enough html & Wix fixes for me for today, thank you.

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