"Poets And Picnics ...."

My group ( The Hoole-igans....or officially, W.E.A. class: "Write Stuff" ) had visitors recently.

Local poet Jane Mack talked about her connection with writer Laurie Lee. This was particularly apt as 2014 is 100th anniversary of his birth. We heard lots about Lee, but no time to hear Jane's own work, which is always a treat. Hopefully another time.

Last week, Cheshire Poet Laureate (2006) Joy Winkler visited. She celebrates publication of her anthology " Stolen Rowan Berries" ( referring to childhood adventures!) and we heard several of her lovely poems, many based on her obvious appreciation of flowers, plants and the natural world. These were illustrated beautifully by Karen Rossart.
Joy also treated us to a couple of workshop exercises, based on her poems. We had some both  inspired AND inspiring results! Looking forward to another visit from Joy ASAP!

** See my post when Joy work-shopped for Friends Of Chester LitFest in February 2013.** .

MORE POETRY, THIS TIME AT THEATR CLWYD:

November is NOT usually a picnicking month......UNLESS one is wrapped in coats, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, socks, vests...well at least that's me......
BUT  on November 11th, we went to Theatr Clwyd for a Lunchtime Picnic Play.

They're held in The Clwyd Room ( not outside!) and you can choose to either loll on a huge and colourful cushion right by the actors...or you can sit more sedately at a table...while chomping on your sarnie...your apple...crisps...PLUS the biggest piece of cake In The World...or at least in Wales...

4 actors read a vivid assortment of writing from 1st World War ( prose, poetry, newspaper reports, formal letters, personal letters, diary entries) and this  gave a wonderful insight  into thoughts and feelings of people who lived through this traumatic time..

***Picnic Plays cost £3 for the performance PLUS £5 for a generous picnic in a generous brown paper bag...***

Here is my class at work. 

There are 20 Hoole-igans altogether, so this is just a sample. 

From Left: Russ, Derek, ( I THINK there's someone betwixt me and Derek...but not sure!) then me, Rebecca, Sue P, Carol, Neil, Mike W, Elizabeth, Gill, Sue B and Judith.

Then I think it's either the head of Marigold...or that of Pam!!