Another fantastic night last night in Middleton made even better than usual (is that possible? I hear you cry), but the sheer number of 'poetry virgins' getting up and performing for the first time!

I'm glad some people liked the cake! (I'm not the best at not using real eggs!) I will bring some of my usual, very nice baked goodies next time I promise!

Positive feedback that was recieved was: great setting, inspiration, welcoming, great venue, cheeky compere, great fun, great and friendly, very friendly, fun and friendly, cheerful, great night, good mixture of poetry and friendly and magical atmosphere.

Areas for improvement were identified as: free beer and women (Paul, you really need to sort that out!) and hair cut for Paul (again, sort it out love!)

Thanks again to all that came and a great big WOOOO! to all the people who lost their performance poetry virginity!

The photos I took are to follow :)

I agree with all that Gemma said.

It was indeed unusual to share the space with so many virgins in a single night. But weren't they good? They bring something new and in the atmosphere of the Old Boars Head their nerves are calmed enough for them to get up and perform.

Sometimes the virgins are so good you can't help wondering if they have more experience than they are letting on - but then isn't that usually the way?

This month we had so many poets that we had just two halves instead of the normal three, but I for one would rather see more faces on the stage in an evening than fewer faces more often.

Subject matter and emotions were as varied as usual from Native American dreams, cats, dogs (poodles Linda?), places, relationships, serious stuff, frivolous stuff to love, anger and so much more.

I think Gemma deserves a big vote of thanks for providing free home-made baking. Whatever Gemma thought of her egg free cake from another world (is that what Vegan means?) there wasn't much of it left at the end of the night. Were my jaw back in working order there would surely have been less still.

Looking forward to next month already.

Seamus

Great night! Well done everyone especially the new comers!
OK the photos are up in Galleries.
And I've taken the hint and had a hair cut - boo hoo