Another brilliant evening at the Old Board's Head in Middleton last night.

As is usually the case at Middleton we get a great variety of style and content and with things kicking off very promptly (sorry I was late - again!) there was time for three rounds of poetry.

Most of the local regulars were there, and on great form, and were joined by two who were newbies last month being Gail McPhilips and Ian Reynolds. We also had some from further afield including Peter Crompton and friends from Southport.

The evening started out in a very light and happy mode with poems about birthdays, local scenery and so on. Ian read some prose, an excellent short story written in half an hour and then, because he got away with it in the first half he did another in the second. Ian did however give us some poetry in the third half...

Oh Yes! in Middleton we often have the luxury of a "third half" which means that you get even better value for your quid.

I didn't have a pen and paper to make any notes so here I will mention some of those performances that stuck in my mind. Aplogies to anyone I don't mention and to anyone who's work I might misappropriate.

Emmanuel read a moving poem by another author and then what he described as "scribbles" from his own notebook - sorry Emanuelle but like Paul compering, I think they are much more than just scribbles. His verse takes the listener to a different place and lets us see things from another's angle - something that good poetry tends to do and Emanualles work does well.

Gemma O'Neill was as good as usual and I particularly liked Blackpool Rock. Katie Hague included a poem in a Bury accent and her emotional Reborn.

Peter's first poem was quieter in style than some of his work but the whole audience were completely wrapped up in his performance of Man Alone - really brilliant stuff and we all see bits of ourselves, or our partners in that poem.

Frank Chinn, who writes in a local dialect style read a poem where he is about to tell us a funny story but then forgets the details - very funny and the audience really appreciated it. Frank also did a short verse in the style and accent of Spike Milligan.

Hillary Murray read a fairly long poem about the love of a girl for her brave knight written in style, and with language, appropriate to the time she was depicting and although she had said it was quite long she held the interest of the audience right to the ending.

Paul Broadhurst and Rod Whitworth were also on good form as was compere for the night Paul Blackburn and there was a good turnout of audience members. The room is great for this size of a group, and we had the bonus of a PA system (thanks Paul), but don't be surprised if we outgrow it one day - it really is a night worth coming along to.

A few of us stayed around for a while afterwards and we would unreservedly recommend that those who can should give it a try. You get a great chance to socialise and talk about the poetry (and anything else) with a great group of interesting people (show me a poet who isn't interesting) in a way you can't do during the performance. Even if you have to move on to the public bar area give it a try.


Seamus

PS why isn't there a picture to pick from with more hair and a beard? When I was a child I had a lovely book of poems (still have it) including one that began with the following, which must have inspired me:

There lived a sage in days of yore
And he a handsome pigtail wore
But wondered much and sorrowed more
Because it hung behind him . . . .

Well I can't top such a fantastic review so I won't try!

I would just like to add that I really enjoyed your poem about hoodies, it reminds me of several lads I teach and quite rightly points out that the whole hoodie persona is all pretence.

I'm also very glad that Gail McPhilips and Ian Reynolds decided to return to us, both brilliant writers. I can't believe that Ian managed to write such a wonderfully descriptive and touching story in 30 mins- amazing! Gail blew us all away again too, I especially liked the poem about the woman readign the paper over people's shoulders and how she never quite gets the 'whole thing' wether it be in her relationship or when reading the paper.

I too think that the PA worked very well. As we are attracting more and more people each time, (24 I think this month); it really heps everyone to hear what is being read.

And finally, hanging about at the end to chat with all of the other intersting poets gets my thumbs up too!

Thanks again everyone, see you next time :)

P.S. My photos are to follow in the gallery.

It was indeed a yet another great night, though I think we need to think about how we organise the room now more people are coming - maybe cabaret style?

Gemma's photos are up in galleries now!

Gemma,

Thanks for you comments, and adding to my review - I had hoped someone would do. Last week I added my poem about the hoodie to my profile in the Poet's Showcase

Seamus