I am delighted that Donna Lennard has recorded a haunting version of ‘The Blessing of the Roadborn Child’ (one of the Cracked Voices songs written by Jenni Pinnock and myself) as part of her contribution to Chelmsford City Museum’s online exhibition celebrating 100 years of public radio broadcasting. To find out more visit: Forecast22 at… Continue reading Forecast22
Tag: cracked voices
‘Human Vermin’
On Thursday 1 December 1904, five refugee families made landfall next to the Tower of London. Displaced, they were escaping from harsh new laws that the German government was enacting against travellers (a process that soon saw all gipsies fingerprinted and eventually led to Hitler’s death camps). Some in Britain were welcoming, but most were… Continue reading ‘Human Vermin’
Learning to be human
Why (and what) do I read? It’s a very good question. I was chuffed recently to be asked to contribute some thoughts to Chris Lee’s Bookworms blog about why I love reading. It was good to torture my braincells into remembering what I actually read when I was a child, and how my reading habits… Continue reading Learning to be human
The Hertfordshire Hermit and the Solar Farm
A new solar farm that is set to make a significant contribution to North Hertfordshire’s ambition to be net zero by 2040 is going to be sited on or next to the site of the Hertfordshire Hermit’s former home. James Lucas was a Victorian celebrity who lived an unusual life. Here is a piece I… Continue reading The Hertfordshire Hermit and the Solar Farm
Cracked voices, uncracked
In recent months, it’s been a delight to hear two songs from Jenni Pinnock’s and my Cracked Voices (2017) being given a fresh airing (links below). In Scottsdale Arizona (USA), Michael Tallino and Riley McKinch chose ‘Earthrise’ as part of their Songs of Peace for a Wild World concert (part of the Arts at Nativity… Continue reading Cracked voices, uncracked
Witch-hunter General
When the Royston Crow dropped onto the doormat this afternoon, it came as a bit of a shock to see my ugly mug staring back at me. On page 4, there’s an interesting article written by Bianca Wild for Local and Community History Month. It would appear I’ve become the town’s Witch-hunter General! Read Curiosity… Continue reading Witch-hunter General
Cracked Voices pamphlet
ISBN 978-0-9524753-2-3 48pp One Tree Publishing (UK) The Cracked Voices 48 page pamphlet featuring the stories and poems from the lost borderlands of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire is now on sale. Proceeds will go to help with the restoration of Royston Parish Church which was badly damaged by fire in December 2018. The pamphlet is available… Continue reading Cracked Voices pamphlet
Finding your voice
It is said that every poet should find their own voice. But perhaps not every poet should use it – or not in public, at least. Reading your work in to an audience is not the same thing as reading it at home. No matter how good the words are, someone needs to breathe life… Continue reading Finding your voice
Riddles
Bilbo Baggins bets his life on a riddle in The Hobbit. Fortunately, for the story he doesn’t lose (or else the dwarves would never have kept their appointment with Smaug!). That riddling competition takes place in a dank deserted cave under the Misty Mountains – all very lonely and sinister – but riddles are mostly… Continue reading Riddles