We had a 'intimate' gathering tonight (not in the Gus Johnson way of course) with only 11 attendees but it was another good 'un regardless with a half, a half, a half and another half too!

Positive feedback: good fun, variety and quality, good fun, humour, Gordon's glass- smashing antics (haha!), I did 4 pieces, range of poems.

Areas for improvement: clean floor, less noise, Gordon's poetry, poor turnout, me not to misinterpret and be sensitive.

It was another good night at middleton but a shame about the low numbers but many people were probably out enjoying the summer sun. There was a handful of political poems both powerfully and comedically presented by a number of poets. A new poet Ernie was impressively entertaining with his poems which he delivered with confidence and even read by memory alone. Gordon Zola showed his disgust fro one poet by smashing glasses which I thought was a bit harsh but all was forgiven when Gordon got the broom out and look set to entertain us with a few mary poppins numbers. Julia returned after a short break and presented some very emotional poetry about her Dad and The Big 40. Val Cook counted the days of the week with her number poem and Paul Blackburn gave us all some tips of being a great poet, which of course came at a price. Rob rode in on Four White Horses but finished with his Memory Playing Tricks although he did remember the poem on memory loss. Seamus was Greedy for More and stole the Jackie Chan film title Who Am I. Gus Jonnson thrilled us with his Skimpy Knickers after which he quickly headed for the exit. Dermot wanted a less impressive intro which he received as the evening went on. He read a mix of politics and jellyfish. Should the two mix, maybe the jellyfish would shock some sense into the fishy politics. Gemma read an hard thinking poem on Mental Health and read a heart wrenching poem on Constructive Criticism based on a negative classroom environment. And me, I read a Terrible Hair Day poem and The Hayfever Blues which I'd written just that evening inspired by a lovely hayfever attack.

It was an enjoying night and everyone had a nibble on a cake or two, we just need to fill a chair or two.