Events

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Fun in the “Plein air”

Last weekend’s painting competition in Hebden Bridge was actually great fun. There were about 40 artist in and around the town all producing pictures in a few hours. We were very lucky to have lovely weather which certainly benefitted all of those taking part. During the day many people stopped to talk about what the artists were doing and a good number of the artists had the chance to meet each other, and look at the work in progress whilst stretching legs and picking up refreshments from some of the excellent local cafés in the town.

At the end of the day there was a brief exhibition, the judging and awards, which all took place at Northlight Studios. The whole thing was organised by Greg from “Craft and Canvas” and were some excellent prizes from the shop and from Wallace Seymour who produce high quality paints for artists.

For my own part the proces of working with oil paint for the first time proved to be enjoyable and a great learning experience. I now have a completed A3 sized oil painting of the old footbridge in the middle of town and I’m pleased with it. A few weeks ago I wouldn’t have expected to try oil paints but now I’m busy deciding what to paint next.

Painting of the footbridge in Hebden Bridge
Here is my paining from the event
Some of the prize winning art from the day
Here are some of the winning pieces of artwork
One of the winning pieces painted on glass
This prize winning piece was painted onto glass letting the light shine through the painting
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Embracing the Challenge: Calderdale Plein Air Competition in Hebden Bridge

I have previously written about the benefits of stepping outside our comfort zones. I might be mad, but next Saturday, 14th September I’ll be in Hebden Bridge stepping outside my normal comfort zones for the day.

Photo of watercolour paint and brush

Recently I saw the adverts for the first ever Calderdale Plein Air competition in Hebden Bridge. I don’t usually paint outside, especially where people might watch, I don’t usually enter competitions and I don’t usually make my art at a predetermined time and place. I also tend to avoid using terms that are exclusive, the sort that people might use to show that they have a bit more knowledge than others. “Plein air” is one such term, it just means “outside”, I prefer to use normal language so that more people understand.

So, of course, I entered the competition. I will be painting outside. I don’t have any expectation for my work to be placed among the prize winners, but I am hoping that this will be an enjoyable and positive challenge.

I don’t know what medium I will use just yet but there will be brushes and pencils and possibly a fountain pen or fineliners – the final choices will depend on the weather. I’ve also not yet decided which bit of Hebden Bridge I will be painting as there are so many attractive places to choose from.

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Free Monthly Poetry Event: Coffee on the Corner, Littleborough

18:00 – 20:00 – Coffee on the Corner -3rd September 2024

Close up of a microphone

This Tuesday marks the launch of a new monthly poetry open mic event in Littleborough at Coffee on the Corner. Join us every first Tuesday of the month to read, listen to poetry, and enjoy excellent homemade cakes and drinks available in the café.

Organized by Liz White and myself, we are grateful to Coffee on the Corner for hosting us. Although the event is free, please support the venue by purchasing drinks and their delicious cakes.

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Poetry / Spoken Word Workshop – FestiDale – Friday 16th August 3.00pm to 5.00pm

image of a sunset with an autumn tree and lovely golden colours

I’ve created this workshop on behalf of Cartwheel Arts for FestiDale, from the Royal Exchange Theatre, at Kingsway Park High School in Rochdale.

The theme is “I come from” and participants will be able to write about the things that make us who we are, and most importantly the things that make us happy.

There will be examples, discussion, templates and support and your words can be shared with others at the session. This workshop is open to both new and experienced writers and all materials and support will be provided. You can book a place online on a pay what you feel basis (from only £1) on the FestiDale website https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/season/the-festidale/.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing the work that will be produced.


The Animal Olympics: Exciting Session at Junction Library in Middleton
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The Animal Olympics: Exciting Session at Junction Library in Middleton

Tomorrow I will be delivering my first session as part of this Summer’s HAF (Health, Activity and Food) programme for Your Trust at Junction Library in Middleton.

A picture of the Olympic rings with a line drawing of a different animal in each ring

The theme for these sessions is “The Animal Olympics”. Inspired by the recent Olympic Games in Paris the story and associated materials imagines an Olympic Games where the competitors are animals representing their countries.

There are competitors from the same continents taking part in events that are similar to those we have seen in Paris. Does everything go as planned? Who wins the medals?

All will become clear tomorrow and the children will be able to create their own versions and pictures. Promises to be a fun session.

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“Welcome to Rochdale” previews at FestiDale Launch

Last night, 7th August, saw the opening of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s FestiDale events in Rochdale.

I was delighted to hear my poem, Welcome to Rochdale”, performed by some of the local ambassadors and champions for the theatre, ahead of the opening speeches. The poem speaks of some of the history and innovations for which the town is famous and the social values that led to the formation of the cooperative movement, support for anti-slavery and welcoming new people to our community.

Members of the ambassadors and champions reading “Welcome to Rochdale”

I was really pleased by the reception my words received, and really impressed by the way the group performed the work. Shortly after the speeches we had a chance to watch the film of the poem and I am grateful for the performers, producers and film-maker, who made a really good film.

The large audience was welcomed by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Susan Smith, the CEO of the Royal Exchange Theatre and the Headteacher of Kingsway Park School. Ambassadors and Champions introduced the events that will be included in the festival and all were warmly welcomed by the audience. Full details of the program can be found at https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/season/the-festidale/ where you can also book for the various ticketed events.

Deputy Mayor Janet Easley and Cllr Susan Smith

Music for the evening was provided by Littleborough Brass Band and with food and mocktails from New Cooperators everyone had a good time and the festival is set for a successful and creative run from today to 18th August.

Beautiful Artwork from Nic , 16 Serendipity Lane - which will be on show throughout the festival.
Beautiful Artwork from Nic, 16 Serendipity Lane
Photo of myself (Seamus) having just watched the film of my poem in The Den.
Sitting in the Den after watching film version of my poem
My new poem heads into the world tonight
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My new poem heads into the world tonight

My last post spoke about a poem that I had just completed for a commission. The details of the commission and the poem itself have been kept quiet pending its release – but I have titled it “Welcome to Rochdale”. I cannot reveal the content until it is public but I can say that the poem, about people and places in Rochdale, is optimistically upbeat. When I received the commission I was asked to make something positive and I was able to say that my work in this case would be unrelentingly positive.

The commission came from The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and they were looking for a 3 minute poem to use for a film as part of “FestiDale” a festival celebrating creativity being held in Rochdale. Festidale opens tomorrow, Thursday 8th August, and all events are being held in Kingsway Park High School. You can find the full programme at https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/season/the-festidale/

As part of the festival I will also be running a creative writing workshop on behalf of Cartwheel Arts from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on Friday 16th August – places can be booked on the link above and you can choose to pay either £5, £3 or £1 for your online ticket.

The workshop is titled “I come from….” And will give people a chance, and encouragement, to write about origins, place, family etc. I’ll share some examples for people to hear and read to give a flavour of what can be done. Participants do not need to have written poetry before and I will introduce some basic techniques and ideas to get everyone going. I’ll also provide materials and draft structures so that people won’t need to bring anything along.

I’m looking forward to seeing the film of “Welcome to Rochdale” this evening at the special preview event. Of course as well as the exciting anticipation to see the piece performed on film by local ambassadors and champions of the Royal Exchange Theatre, there is always a little bit of nervousness: How will they have made the work look? Will the audiences like it? Once the film is made available online I will post a link here and on my social media channels.

Massive thanks to the Royal Exchange Theatre for commissioning me to write the poem and to Cartwheel Arts and Rochdale Development Agency for suggesting they should ask me.

More to follow after the launch.

Riverside Writers Summer Celebration – 13th July 2024
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Riverside Writers Summer Celebration – 13th July 2024

Everyone is welcome to our celebration of Summer and creative writing this Saturday, 13th July, from 10am at Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Rochdale. There is no need to book, just come along on the day.

This free event promises to be both informative and entertaining and a great opportunity to talk about creative writing and find out more about our writing group.

We are delighted to have a special guest speaker William Pollard, the author of a book about Rochdale’s lost female author M R Lahee who wrote at a time when women were not generally accepted as authors.

Close up of antique bound copies of Rochdale News

There will be poetry from members of the Riverside Writers, music from the U3A Choir, Heywood Ukulele Group and the Rossendale Clog Dancers.

From 2pm we will adjourn to Vicolo Del Vino, The Butts, Rochdale, for meat and potato or cheese and onion pie.

During the afternoon we will be hosting an open mic session with plenty of poetry, spoken word and perhaps some tunes too.

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Open Mic, Littleborough, 15th May 2024

Following the successful return of the open mic session in 2023, I will be compèring an open mic session as part of the Littleborough Arts Festival at The Red Lion in Littleborough on Wednesday 15th May 2024.

The session will run from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, although the landlady will be happy to continue serving drinks until closing time.

Image of a microphone

All welcome and the event is free of charge. There is likely to be a good mix of poetry and spoken word plus music and singing to make an enjoyable evening. Those wanting to read, perform, play or sing please let me now when you arrive and I’ll add you to our list.

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Poetry by the Canal – progress update

A line drawn image of Rock Nook Mill on the Rochdale Canal

Six weeks in and the poets I’m our project have been producing some really good writing. Those new to writing poetry and the experienced poets in the group have found inspiration and have shown great enthusiasm, extending to supporting each other, testing out their poems and sharing them with us. It has been an honour to work with such a great group of poets.

We have also had excellent meetings with, and feedback from, the Canal Rivers Trust and with the Poetry Society and Roy MacFarlane, the Canal Laureate. Although it is too early to give details yet, I can say that we have exciting developments coming up.

With over 30 poems already submitted, and more to come, my work in editing and formatting is now underway and it is actually really quite good fun and inspiring.

There will be one final session before the work is compiled ready for production of a large print book which is likely to be launched early in 2024.

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Poetry By The Canal

Having recovered from the Covid, that kept me away from the first session of this project, I was delighted to be back at Hare Hill House in Littleborough to lead today’s session face to face.

The project will run for 6 weeks to create poetry influenced by the area around the Rochdale Canal and Calderbrook from the former Rock Nook Mill to Summit in Littleborough.

Today we talked about thinking like a poet and among the props used for a writing exercise was my lovely compact Metronome (pictured here).

The poets then used information provided, about the famous Summit Tunnel and Rock Nook Mill, as inspiration to start crafting some new poetry.

At the end of the project we will publish a large print book containing selected poems produced by all of the participants.

Today it was great to meet some new writers and share inspiration and ideas. This is a very friendly and vibrant l group of writers and I’m very confident that there will be some excellent poetry to publish.

This project comes from an idea from Liz White who has worked on planning and secured funding so that we can bring poetry writing opportunities to Littleborough and produce work which is available to local people including those with visual impairments.