Last nights Open Mic at the Howcroft was slow to start, with the usual few reliable poets turning up . Over the last two months we have had small but very enjoyable sessions. It is a worry as to where all our regular poets are. One thought, is that there may be too many Poetry Gigs out there now and the economic downturn is affecting travel and leisure time….We will have to be looking into ways of promoting WOL at the Howcroft soon. Last night we had a surprising influx of five young students, two of which took the Mic with some confidence. Anna was brilliant, performing two of her own poems Geeks and Teachers ,she appeared relaxed and comfortable on the stage. Her writing and performance shows great promise. Alistair too came forward to read his favourite poems with great ease and assurance. We hope their achievement will encourage the other three to try out sometime, and they all come again to WOL.
Jefferama was his usual buoyant self as he kept us all in order and orchestrated the evening, starting the ball rolling with a poem Down on Drinking. Eric `s engaging poems started rather grim but ended with a smile. It was good to hear Sandra and John again , we appreciate their efforts to get to the Howcroft and share their poetry with us. Jane was on top form with an interesting historical poem, relating to St Albans. Paul was obsessed with a Hangman who proceeded to hang more than was anticipated, it was a good story, then fiercely admonished us in his next poetic offering. Rachel, fresh from her book launching success gave us a excellent new poem that she composed more for herself she said, than the written page.. My contributions were, my regret at losing the countryside to motorways and getting old. Jeff sealed the evening with his usual charm, a final poem and reminding everyone of his forth coming Half Evil Tour that starts next Sunday (see Gig Guide)
It was a good evenings entertainment, we heard many different poems, enjoyed our sandwiches and some social banter.

The Howcroft is sadly a nightmare for me to get onto Sunday night as public transport getting back for me is a nightmare..

Miss going there - will try when I can!

Thanks for the write up Val - I was wondering just how the evening went in terms of attendance?

It is a holiday period, which is always worth considering if numbers were low - and you're right - there are lots of other venues too for poets to fritter away both their money and their hard earned reputations - including WOL events, DGPS, Liverpoetry etc - but for me - there is always too much month left at the end of the money.

I'll try harder for next month - that's if my name and picture have been removed from Bolton's 'Pubwatch' gallery of shame.

I really enjoyed my last time at the Howcroft and would encourage anyone to attend for a good friendly atmosphere. I was working till late at the Traff Centre I'm afraid but hope to come to more evnts inc this one when work slackens off towards autumn, Thanks Val. Win x

Darren's probably right about the holiday period getting in the way. I had planned to come but we're away tomorrow and I'm washing and packing for an army...

I must say, like Winston, that there is a lovely welcoming atmoshere at the Howcroft - I always enjoy it when I can make it.

I'm glad to hear that you had some new talent in though and young people too!

Hope to see you all soon Val.

Isobel x

Thats a great write up of the evening,Val. I enjoyed the high standard variety. Not wanting to be too geeky for Anna, I enjoyed Pauls performance, a perfect poem, and your green verse -which matched well with Johns rural tale. Being a varied evening I thought I'd bring a more serious piece this time. There was a lot of humourous poetry, a better tonic than ibuprofen, Alistair, for the week ahead. Looking forward to next time. Are you wearing one of my sweaters, Isobel?!