Hooray - I think Philip Larkin would have loved this!

Comment is about ManagementSpeak (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

You only need check out Clarkson on TV or in his books to know it is his "thing" to be
contentious. He upsets people but he gets a
reaction. And let's be honest...how many of us
inconvenienced - often considerably - by others
exercising this or that "right" - haven't muttered quietly the words spouted on air by the big "C" in mischievous malcontent mode?
To the moaners and groaners - get a life and
look up the word "hyperbole".
Methinks you doth protest too much!
Finally - if it's any comfort, an 89 year old
relation doesn't like him either!!

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

Great review Laura. Am glad you pointed Dominic out - I would never have recognised him with his clothes on!

It sounds like you all had a lovely time - I will definitely make an effort to be at the next one :)

Comment is about The thrill of it all: a big night out with the Best of Manchester Poets (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Oh I just make things easy for myself and succumb, seems to me that all the good things are labelled with 'temptation.'

Specially the best choccies :o)

ha gremlinny nibbling!

Comment is about The Itch (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Dear all. I think you have all missed the point here. Yes to free speach and all that. But the millionaire Jeremy Clarkson is not an idiot. He has created a phenominally successful on-screen persona which I hate (Mainly for its anti cycling tirades. He has to keep it in the media's eye by continually fuelling the fires with these controversial statememts. Popular - sadly, yes, Pathetic - certainly.

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

Go on then Dave, what are you itching for?
This tickled my funny-bone

Comment is about The Itch (blog)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Well, I did give a line by line explanation on another site, but I'll be brief. I worry what the future holds for my numerous daughters under the Next World Order when we all become much poorer. Will Western women become, say, the new Eastern Europeans?
Ann, you've seen my face! And changed your name in consequence? Actually, I was trying to put a proper photo of myself on the profile picture yesterday but I can't work out how it's done. I'll have to get one of my daughters to do it - again.

Comment is about It's Closing Time in the Gardens of the West (blog)

Enjoyed every line of it. Beautiful poem!

Comment is about There are bouncers in McDonalds now (blog)

Original item by Jack Pascoe

This is really good, Stella. An intensely felt moment on an enchanted evening is summoned up beautifully

Comment is about After a Long Day (blog)

Hmmm . . . silver tin, the west - can't help thinking of Cornwall. I don't understand your poem but I do think parts of it are beautiful, esp the second verse. (Nice to see your face at last!)

Comment is about It's Closing Time in the Gardens of the West (blog)

Hi Lynn,

I like the first verse of both.
Think the line with a question mark needs reworking on free verse because you have 'kills' and 'dead'
Like the last verse of rhyme

p.s. Thank you so much for your comments on my latest!

Comment is about Plea for November (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I have to agree with the others - This is so funny and such a creative take on the song!
Definitely needs to be heard - please record : )

Comment is about Man Flu (blog)

Original item by Dave Carr

I like the craziness of this, and obviously for the French, which is what caught my eye initially... and it's La Piscine ; )

Comment is about Pour Tous Les Jours (blog)

jeeZus- glad I'm un-employed.

Comment is about ManagementSpeak (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

that little shit Clarkson is the typical bully- he attacks women and workers but would not be allowed to attack people based on their ethnicity- because both the BBC and Clarkson would be too scared of the consequences. This 'offer' by Nursing professionals while at first seeming a 'jolly good way' to put him straight, would, alas be turned into yet another 26 part doc-drama on BBC3.
...PS there has been a ton of horse-shit written and spoken re this issue, most of it declaring the above misnomer 'his ''right'' to be able to say it in this country' what then are the laws on liable and slander for?

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

There's a discussion thread started by Peter running in tandem on this.

Anthony and I seem to have reached similar conclusions about the probable reasons for Clarkson's 'apology' without reading each other's post.

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

Of course Clarkson has a right to air his opinions - uninformed as they are. What he said though surely says more about himself than the issue in question. His remarks attack a sector of society - and a fairly substantial one at that - trade union members. If he had made the same remarks about other sections of society - say women, Muslims or gays would you still be so supportive?

As Stella suggests, it is easy to insult and deride from a position of relative safety and privilege; would he have been so confident in saying what he did at say a TUC conference where there was the right of reply?

From my standpoint there are several million public sector workers who are sick of being the Tory party's whipping boys. The issue has nothing to do with money, the pension scheme is affordable as it stands. Make no mistake, this is about political ambition and Conservative plans to dismantle the larger part of state provision of services, to be handed on a plate to the private sector. The motive? The great God "profit." And look where that's landed us . . .

Clarkson says it was meant as a joke, which says rather a lot about his comedic talents. Come to think of it what talents does he have?

Yes I did find it offensive, and yes, maybe he does have the right to say it. He didn't have to apologise, no one ever does if they don't feel like it - the reason he did I suspect, was to protect his future employment and earning capacity - which is precisely what striking public sector workers were doing. Or is that just a cruel (but rather satisfying) irony?

Regards,

A.E.

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

ps-correction,
the Three Stooges were funny.

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

ditto Stella

Clarkson,Hammond,Ross-
the new Three Stooges-yuk!

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

HI Marcia, I enjoyed your performance at Blackddrop in Nottingham, this evening

Comment is about Marcia Calame (poet profile)

Original item by Marcia Calame

Ha! Never thought of death as a nosy nuisance..the humour of the last verse tempers the rest I think..many stand apart for whatever reason.

enjoyed :o)

Comment is about APART (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

What prompted this one Ray?..I like this :o)

Comment is about It's Closing Time in the Gardens of the West (blog)

enjoyed this and are there really bouncers in Mcdonalds?.

Spirituality is there if we look deep enough but yes we are bombarded with the nanny state day after day and how easy it is to get sucked in.

Comment is about There are bouncers in McDonalds now (blog)

Original item by Jack Pascoe

Whoop!

Love it... :o)

Comment is about ManagementSpeak (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

unfortunately not all of us can use prime time television to air our opinions...unfortunatley some have to do something else like..lets see..oh yes strike...and not be undermined by some toss pot who spends last boxing day with the PM..come on Peter..if you are priviledged enough to be on prime time telly surely you should not say I would have them executed in front of their families?..We have enough Wankers in this country without one of them demeaning our rights to protest??....Offended?..jeez Peter Clarkson is unbelievable..totally uneeded and he also said that he didn't know anyone who took strike action, so what does that tell you?..Freedom of speech is one thing abusing it is another..which is what that man did! Pleased I have replied to this..feel better now..

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

I'm glad that's off my chest...

Comment is about This country needs Clarkson (blog)

Original item by Peter Asher

Hi Fifi, I was hoping you would repost. I enjoyed this poem very much as well. Keep posting. :)

Comment is about ManagementSpeak (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

Hi Laura,

Thanks for commenting on ManagementSpeak - I appreciate it.

Fifi

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your comment on 'Jolly Fun' - I'm glad it made you laugh.

x

Comment is about Nick Coleman (poet profile)

Original item by Nick Coleman

Hi M.C.

Thanks for commenting on my poems. It's really helpful to get feedback. Or Fifeedback :)

Comment is about M.C. Newberry (poet profile)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your comment on Jolly Fun - glad it made you smile.

x

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

I'd be up for that as well :)

Comment is about Competition? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your message and the tip about not posting late on the last day of the month!

Hope you're keeping well - and I think Ann Oxley is a better name to reflect the strength of your poetry.

xx

Comment is about Ann Foxglove (poet profile)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Thanks to Ann Oxley, Laura Taylor and M. C. Newberry for comments and advice to repost. xx

Comment is about ManagementSpeak (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

Interesting piece Ray - I'm loving some of the sonics in here. Needs another reading or 3 for me I reckon. Some amazing delicacy in here

Comment is about It's Closing Time in the Gardens of the West (blog)

Do it do it do it!!! But put it on December blogs!

Comment is about Competition? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

Awww, a lovely read this John, and a wonderful touching tribute. I can tell you have a worldful of affection for Tom :)

Comment is about Our Tom (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Well done you! Made up for you lass :) :)

Comment is about Little cheeky 'yay' for me! (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

NOVEMBER 2011:

Another varied, silly and fun night at Middleton WOL this month with another great guest slot from the NDPS who were back by popular demand!

A massive well done to our two newcomers Mike and Rhys, you did great and we'd love to see you come back again.

Feedback:

Areas for Improvement: None! Hurrah! (Except for me being a snob again, obviously!)

Good Points: Everybody, the ability to listen, NDPS showcase was very entertaining, supportive people and friendly, great poetry, everything, welcoming, easy to relax and let oneself out, supportive audience, as usual good atmosphere, good poetry, nice folk, NDPS luv it!, really good night, loads of 'em, 'kin great, always a pleasure, simply splendid, excellent atmosphere, first time at club had a great night, great night as usual, just good, really good night, great evening, lovely atmosphere, great fun!, great, sixty nine good points (thanks Ken), brilliantly entertaining.

Thanks again Middleton WOLers, see you on the 18th for our Christmas special!

Review is about Write Out Loud - Middleton on 27 Nov 2011 (event)

I liked the first lines for their "in your face" dark humour. Ouch!!

Comment is about The First, The Second, The Third (blog)

Original item by Larisa Rzhepishevska

You will be sadly missed, Winston, but I also wish you well for the future, and hope you continue to post your excellent poetry. Like Laura I also remember your patience and assistance with the ghazals, and on behalf of the whole WOL community, thank you so much for your dedication during your time on admin.

Comment is about Bowing out: Winston's message to all his friends on WOL (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you, all of you for your messages. I should thank a Certain Someone for giving me the courage to believe it is worth sending stuff off. Without her words of encouragement and support, i wouldn't have bothered! ( You know who you are ;-p

Comment is about Little cheeky 'yay' for me! (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Lovely to have met you at Arvon too. I re-drafted Wife and Mother there, I had stupidly tried to give it a happy ending (for years), softening it so it didn't have an upsetting effect on folk. In its original form the ending always kind of irritated me, and I kind of felt "permission" to give it the proper last two stanzas there and remove the false ending. One of those poems which is coloured by whether the person reading / hearing it knows the background or the writer, no idea how it works if you know neither!

Comment is about Fifi Fanshawe (poet profile)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

Great news Kath! xx

Comment is about Little cheeky 'yay' for me! (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

Wow, congratulations Kath, so pleased for you. (Just went back to read 'I Disappear' and love it!) Well done you. x

Comment is about Little cheeky 'yay' for me! (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

I'd be up for that :-)

Comment is about Competition? (blog)

Original item by Anthony Emmerson

I love 'Wife and Mother'. I think it's one of the best poems I've ever read. Incredibly powerful.

Great to meet you at Lumb Bank.

Comment is about Alison Smiles (poet profile)

Original item by Alison Smiles

A big 'yay' for you!
'I Disappear' is one of my favourite of yours.
So happy for you : )

xxx

Comment is about Little cheeky 'yay' for me! (blog)

Original item by Kath Hewitt

A real gentle gentleman!

Good luck to you Winston
and thanks for all your hard work
and devotion to this site.

Patricia and Stef Wilde.xx

Comment is about Bowing out: Winston's message to all his friends on WOL (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

For me, there's an underlying sadness to all the humour. When you make someone part of your family, that's a big thing - you don't wipe them out of your life so easily. I hope he has the opportunity to read or listen to this.

Comment is about Our Tom (blog)

Original item by John Coopey