Beyond the Border 2016

Beyond the Border Wales International Storytelling 

Festival

is on this weekend

Friday 1st July to Sunday 3rd July

Come and be rescued, awe struck and amazed by this incredible experience.

Click here for a link to the festival website  

Maybe see you there!!

Reading at the Troubadour

I'm one of about 50 poets reading at the Troubadour in Earls Court tomorrow evening.

I'm really looking forward to it. Come and join us if you can.

Click here for a link to the listing. 

A Shake of the Dice by David Kynaston

I've just finished reading A Shake of the Dice - the second book that completes the third volume of Modernity Britain by David Kynaston. It's the third volume in his project - writing a popular social history of Britain from 1945 - 1979 titled Tales of the New Jerusalem. It marks the half way point in this compelling history.

All the familiar themes are here, although in this second book there is not the same intense focus on key themes like education or the sustained debate on the rise in youth culture.

This is a more rounded book that explored industrial relations in Britain between 1959 - 1962. It considered the negotiations between government, unions and industry of one specific industrial dispute.

It also touched on the acceleration of slum clearances and the development of sky scrappers in the north of England and Glasgow. Kynaston does consider the destruction of working class communities and the alienation experienced in the new sky towers. Again we looked at the impact on Salford in particular.

Another highlight for me was the section on Tony Hancock. It covers the end of 'Hancock's Half Hour, the split in the relationship with Sid James and the beginning of Hancock's solo work.

The diarists are also present. There seemed to me a more systematic approach to them. They seemed to be used on mass to comment on key events. Male diarists were also introduced including Kenneth Williams.

Click the book cover below to buy the book.



It was an enjoyable read.

And I'm looking forward to the next installment - opportunity Britain.  

Eddie Mair interviews David Nott on Radio 4's PM on 23 December 2014

Click here for an interview with David Nott broadcast on the 23 December 2014. We were driving to Anglesey for Christmas and then this interview happened while we were listening to PM on Radio 4 with Eddie Mair.

Be warned. This interview does contain some graphic and very disturbing commentary from the surgeon.

David Nott on Desert Island Discs

Click here for a link to an extraordinary episode of Desert Island Discs in which the surgeon David Nott talks about his work in Syria and elsewhere.

Click here for a link to the David Nott Foundation a charity set up by David Nott - developing teams and supporting communities in war and disaster zones, providing training for local medical and nursing teams in these areas and focusing on conflict and natural disaster surgery.

Poetry Reading at the CornerHOUSE Community Arts Centre, Surbiton

I'm one of the poet's reading at the Corner House Arts and Community Centre in Surbiton on Friday 10 June at 7.30 pm.

The evening will be divided into themes that include relationships, stormy weather and food.

Admission is £4.00. 

There is a bar. 

And there will probably be more than one interval. Plus cheese and biscuits! 

Click here for a link to the event listing at the Corner House in Surbiton.

Do come along it would be great to see you.