Well thought out and persuasively put. I am not sure if it relates totally to the coming
public service strike and since I have no access to all that is "on the table" in the offer by government, I'll refrain from any
comment in that specific political area. I
certainly agree with being counted when the
conscience tells you - and that applies to a
variety of topics, so this post is always
relevant.

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Thank you for the heads up and comment on Something is Coming.

Sad to hear that you're standing down, good luck with your endeavours though :)

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

For those who aspire to maintain themselves, in the odd world in which we exist, via artistic endeavour, the chances of success are limited. Armitage is not saying it he is disappointed that his get rich quick scheme is being taken away from him, but that he fears that the means by which he pays his bills may be less consistent or long lived than he had previously hoped.
Benjamin Zephaniah told me he makes more money from sales of his fiction than poetry, despite the volume of sales, so anyone who is hoping that poetry will sustain them through book sales alone is probably a touch naive. But it can still offer a significant string to the bow of the creative writer and performer. Even on my scale of around 500 copies sold has contributed significantly to the viability of my art as a profession, for one whole month of the year I am a professional poet. Shame it's such a long way back to black history month from here!

Comment is about Armitage fears online poetry piracy (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

You two never heard of the hadron collider??? How can you have missed that?!

Comment is about This Poem Has Nothing To Say (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

I liked this Ann - no idea if it's autobiog or not, but the sentiments are heartbreaking

Comment is about the note (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

Christ, Rach. Got me again with this. My throat's closed up again.

Comment is about heart (blog)

I like this Tommy - agree with the others on the use of repetition. Black ending there with her going into the sea - good, that.

Comment is about Down by the sea... (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Well said

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Houston

When I first joined WOL, you were the one who made me feel so incredibly welcome, and you made such a lovely supportive comment on my samples and first blog, that it actually made me think that maybe I COULD write! Through the encouragement and support of you and all WOLers, I have gone on to write SO much over this last year (56 blinkin poems!! and more besides that I haven't put up on here!), got addicted to performing, and now published five times! I look back in amazement at the last year, and you are a huge part of that. Will never forget your endless reserves of patience and kindness when I was trying to learn how to write those bloody ghazals haha :D :D

Thank you so SO much for everything, I hope everything goes brilliantly for you, and dearly hope to see you again soon at some venue or another, chap.

Masses of good wishes and a huge hug for you

Love

Tom :) x

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Fifi, We have had 2 rewarding weekend residential WOL weekends so far in or near Hebden Bridge. Hopefully there will be another at some point although there are no plans at the moment. Winston

Comment is about Performance or page? Meeting of minds at Lumb Bank (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Big boots to fill indeed. So much hard work, reliability and caring. As others have said, Win, you have been one of the most - if not the most - positive presences on the site and on the circuit, along with being a very good poet when you're not admin-ing. Many thanks and please don't disappear!

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi Fifi, glad you enjoyed the Arvon. We have had 2 weekend residential WOL weekends so far in or near Hebden Bridge. Hopefully there will be another at some point, Winston

Comment is about Fifi Fanshawe (poet profile)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

Great rhythm to this, Alison, very assured. Sense of time standing still, just for a moment.

Comment is about Departure (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Cheers Tommy!

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Like this a lot. winston

Comment is about Something is Coming (blog)

Original item by Charlotte Henson

Hi Charlotte, you have a broken link on your homepage details info. It should read - charlottehenson.blogspot.com (not blogger.com). Just a heads up. Win

Comment is about Charlotte Henson (poet profile)

Original item by Charlotte Henson

thank you MC- you have it nailed. :o)

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Mark- I support your stand. Ignore the media, I'll be there on Wednesday. :o)

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Yes, I agree with Andy, a worthy and interesting topic ideal for poetry of all types. I am sure I will find something to send in. Win

Comment is about Costing the Earth? Submissions wanted for ecopoetry anthology (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thanks everyone :)

Ann, sorry to worry you, ha ha. xx

Thank you Nick, yes, it certainly was a relief to wake up!

Thanks Alana - I did once work in a few offices in London, but that goes back more years than I care to think about! I often dream I can't find places I'm looking for, and familiar places suddenly look strange... wonder what that means, lol. xx

Comment is about Dream Job (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Thanks, everybody - you've made *me* smile by your comments :)

Comment is about Jolly Fun (with apologies to Charles Causley) (blog)

Original item by Fifi Fanshawe

Hi Isobel - consider yourself acquainted! Thanks for the invitation to come up north - I'd love to. I'll try to make it happen next year if I can. It's a great idea to try to do something like this course over a weekend somewhere because everybody should have the chance to have a piece of something so good.

Comment is about Performance or page? Meeting of minds at Lumb Bank (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you, Win. Sorry you are leaving just as I joined.(And thanks to all at WOL who have encouraged me to take up writing again after a ten year break

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Thank you for your comments on departure. I've been listening to a lot of other folk's poetry to understand more about how to tap into shared experience to resonate with people. It's hard work!

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

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thank you for all of your time and input into this site, Winston.
I wish you well and the best always on whatever path life takes you.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Man's godda do etc......
I just hope byou continue to post, Win.
And nice to have met up with you on one of your rare expeditions to the Wild Wild East at York last year.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

You might think that, MC. I could not possibly comment.

Comment is about Advancin' Back (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you for paying me a visit Neil. Yes - that poem is a fixed favourite even beyond my own family now and I wonder if I'll ever be able to write anything as funny.

I don't think we've ever met - try to make it to the Christmas Tudor on 8th - it should be one worth coming to. x

Comment is about Neil Fawcett (poet profile)

Original item by Neil Fawcett

I remember when I first joined WOL, the warm and encouraging welcome you gave me Win. Since then I feel we have become friends, even though I only met you once at the first WOL Big Weekend. I've also enjoyed the journey you have taken us on with your fabulous poetry. You are a star! xx

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Sounds interesting? Did the elitist quality poets sit up the corner barricaded in, whilst those democratic barbarian mikes ran riot?
I now have the Monty Python Good v Evil Football match firmly fixed in my mind! Did anyone get hurt? Only joking!

Comment is about Performance or page? Meeting of minds at Lumb Bank (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

I like the split of care-full, and care-less changing the meaning .. sad one..

Comment is about Down by the sea... (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Hi Nick, 'Sidings'. John Coopey's got me at the rail poems again. I read something like it at an Open Mike session in the Cape a while back now and had it published in the enthusists rag. Thanks for commenting.

Comment is about Nick Coleman (poet profile)

Original item by Nick Coleman

Hi Dave, 'Sidings' haven't quite got round to importing piccys yet - perhaps set myself a new challenge for 2012. Thanks for the comments. Cheers.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Had me singing it. (Would have changed Devon to Sussex of course, but it don't rhyme).

Comment is about ABROAD (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

You seem like a nice man, are you married?

Comment is about Calendar boys: Write Out Loud at the naked launch (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

HaHa! London is confusing especially as a newcomer, I think you percieved it well and made me laugh xx

Comment is about Dream Job (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

A very real moment...something many have surely experienced in their lives. Intense
and fleeting...and easy to identify with for that.

Comment is about Departure (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

I sense the emotion walking away! been there?xx

Comment is about Departure (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

I like how you turned it around to regret! seeing his note. It says a lot in a short poem. like it xx

Comment is about the note (blog)

Original item by Ann Foxglove

I liked the repetition - like a lyric. And the
way it conjured up a fleeting moment of opportunity lost - in my mind, anyway.

Comment is about Down by the sea... (blog)

Original item by Tommy Carroll

Glad you liked "Flowers" - your comment was
much appreciated.
I have just been reading your profile poem "Early January Snow Blues". A touching
evocation of not only the elements but of their
connection to our former lives in memories that
creep back under their influence. It had me
recalling some days during the really hard winter of '63 in rural Berkshire (that dates me, doesn't it?!)

Comment is about Andy N (poet profile)

Original item by Andy N

No, it's not a reference to our one day cricket
team. I recall it being a West Indian term for
homosexuals. Have a gay day :-)

Comment is about Advancin' Back (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

I'm totally gutted by this news. Winston has been the very public face of WOL - very warm, very all embracing, very measured - I could go on...

His will be very big boots to fill. I do hope we manage someone as good natured and enthusiastic. I also hope that you keep in touch Winston, write plenty more poetry as Greg says and turn up to some of our Lancashire gigs.

What a sad way to approach the New Year. Sorry - shouldn't be 'thinking out loud' and I should be wanting the best for you. :( xx

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

excellent stuff, M.C. - really enjoyed it

Comment is about STILL THE FLOWERS GROW (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

yeah, not sure what C.E.R.N is too but like the sentiment too

Comment is about This Poem Has Nothing To Say (blog)

Original item by Kealan Coady

Thanks for comment on Rainbow. Yes, wanted to punch with ahort repeated words but worried was too simplistic. Alcohol induced depression ain't fun.

Comment is about Winston Plowes (poet profile)

Original item by Winston Plowes

I'll follow on from Greg and Jane here in the fact I've met Win on a number of occasions in Bolton, Bury and Middleton to name but a few.. He's a lovely, warm man with an energy and passion about poetry that is lovely to see him. He's helped me out on a number of occasions with bits and pieces on Write Out Loud and represents as Greg said, the heart and soul of Write Out Loud.

I hope he chooses to keep posting.

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

Original item by Greg Freeman

Makes me wish I'd gone to a 'mixed' school. Boys only and only male teachers.
Glimpsing the flesh of leg between brown sock and turn-up of trouser is not quite the same as the rising of a hem

Comment is about School Reunion- Miss Cadogan's Room (blog)

Original item by ant

Despite your 'botheration' I really enjoyed the picture you paint with this piece
Perhaps 'enjoyed' may not be the correct phrase to use in the circumstances written in the poem, but I did

Comment is about Departure (blog)

Original item by Alison Smiles

Batty boys?

Comment is about Advancin' Back (blog)

Original item by John Coopey