Another great night at the Olde Hoar's Bed!

Positive aspects of the night were identified as: everything, mixture of poems, everything, some, very entertaining, brilliant mix, great variety, good variety, love the cakes, katie and gemma made a nice duo, funny, nice to see some fun errors, good poems.

Areas for improvement were identified as: seats are cramped, seating, some, a bit cold, I don't like the lighting, too strict one poem rule, no cupcake no words, more freedom of form- I don't have a bedtime.

I'm all up for going back to the circle of chairs if that's preferred and I know that a few people did mention this outloud but not in the feedback book.

I'm sorry that some thought that the one poem per half rule was too strict but I do have to stick to it as if I let one poet do two poems, soon everyone is doing two or three small ones or twenty really small ones or whatever and we run out of time. As it was we finished at exactly ten which is the advertised finishing time.

Some more fantastic photos to follow from Seamus Kelly.

And last but not least very, very, very well done to Katie Haigh for her first go at compereing. I thought that she did a great job.

Disagee Gemma...
It's your show, you can manage how you like but it is a poets reading evening... if the compare is a bust who cares... if theres a run over who cares... the pub...I don't think so...Poets like to read..Poets love to be heard...good and bad...come on... two here and there... whatsit matter....if the dreary one off wins over two moderate paced gems then call me me a dizzy poet..and stop me Kup Kakes.....Grief! Gemma it's only once a month...for some of them... If YOU, Gemma.. read twice as much as you do....it would be well worth it ....I go there to hear you.. yes thats right you....not just to scoff yer cakes...as nice as they are!

You are a much better poet than you are Miss Whiplash...infact there are not many poets that aspire to your creative standards...so more poetry please...and perhaps the pub could sell another round... an allowance of 4minutes could be the answer.. approx 200 words plus intro.. and if that is three Hiaku... like I say whatsit matter...

Rules is rules...comeon Gemma lifes to short to stuff a mushroom.

Ranting Fondest
GusX

I'm with Gemma on this one.

It might seem a bit strict but the one poem per visit to the mic rule has worked well at Middleton since before Gemma was the compere. In some locations either a time limit, or a rather vague "one long or two short poems" rules have applied but people then don't really know where they stand. Just think some poets would put many more words into a minute than others so how do you define short poems?

My own preference is for a one poem rule combined with a time limit for that poem (after all you wouldn't want to hear me read a 20 minute poem would you).

I know when you do a short one you may feel a little short-changed but then you consider that when deciding what to read. I read a Haiku once at Middleton and in a way the beauty of them is that they say what you need to say in a very short verse, so you say what you intended and sit down that bit sooner.

It would be nice to know what others think but in the end the organiser gets to choose and we get to decide whether to perform or not (and just try to put us off if you can!)

Regards to all

Seamus

I agree, I think one poem per person because otherwise you can have one poet going on forever and others don't get to have a go. The system has worked well for ages so why change it. Also I think the chair situation at middleton on sunday was a bit hiddly piddly and I think I would prefer the circle back it worked well in a few ways. Firstly poets could get to the front without squeezing past people which has been a problem in the past and also everyone can see the poet on the mic with ease.So I say let's get the circle back. Also I like to thank Gemma for letting me have a go compering with her. It was fun to try but we all know Gemma has a spark and a true talent for this. She makes the audiance feel instantly at ease as well as making them laugh. So well done Gemma for having such talent. And thanks to everyone elese for goin easy on me it was a great night with lots of talented poets. And finally I'd like to finish with a special well done to Carol Mcdowan for her first night on the mic.

Oh dear this looks like a serious procedural matter. I am already looking out my major epic poems. I have one or two that make The Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner and Hiawatha look like limericks.

It is a long way, but I wil get to Middleton next time and read until Gemma disciplines me. I won't even stop for a cake.

Anyway, whatever Gemma says she is right.