I was delighted to read some poems from ‘Star’ for Damien Donnelly’s Spotify podcast episode Christmas with Eat The Storms podcast. Damien is a sensitive host and creates a lovely positive ‘space’ around each poet. ideal Christmas listening.
In November 2024 I appeared on Thran – the Podcast being interivewed by Liam Logan about my Ulster-Scots poetry concerning the first World War. Listen here.
The photo of me below was taken at the recording of the interview at the Somme Museum, hence my sombre demeanour. I found being interviewed about my grandfather’s experience at the Somme to be a moving experience. The background is a kind of diorama of a battleground scene.
The Ulster-Scots word ‘thran’ means ‘stalwart to the point of stubborness’.
On December 13th I was interviewed by Gary Raymond, host of BBC Radio Wales’s Arts Show
Every day from Monday 16th December till Tuesday 24th December, Christmas Eve, I’ll read a poem on BBC Radio Ulster’s drivetime programme, ‘Evening Extra’.
A bold idea, mixing headlines, weather reports and poetry!
The poems are from my collection, ‘STAR: poems for the Christmas Season’ (Culture and Democracy Press). STAR is available from No Alibis, Belfast; The Secret Bookshelf, Carrickfergus; Little Acorns, Derry or any bookstore. Online up to last posting dates from The Books Council of Wales gwales.com https://tinyurl.com/37f4rruj. ARTWORK copyright Martin Erspamer.
Monday 16th:
Tuesday 17th:
Wednesday 18th:
Thursday 19th
Friday 20th
Monday 23rd
Tuesday 24th
Excerpt: On 1st December
We are living at a time when, through the media, we see power being wielded ruthlessly. We witness the destruction caused by war and by wayward market forces. Often the two are linked. There’s so much conflict happening that the news can hardly keep up with it. It can feel overwhelming.
The 2023 Reuters Institute digital news report states that close to 36% of news consumers say they avoid news, often or sometimes. To some extent this is prompted by concern to protect mental health. We need accurate and trustworthy news but its frequency and pervasiveness across platforms can lead to feelings of helplessness – knowing so much; able to do so little.
And some interests will encourage us to stay passive; to undervalue the good we can do; to leave politics to the powerful; to neglect the power of compassion, generosity, solidarity. I try to describe that cynical outlook in this short poem:
DECEMBER 28th
After Christmas – always – Childermas: Slaughter of Innocents; Threat Neutralised.
The Prince of War, glistening with success, allures us.
This, he says, is what you want. Not a stable, sheep-herding losers, a star.
17th January 2020. Crossing the Irish Sea – in the age of climate challenge.
In the midst of the general election hurly burly an important consultation is proceeding in Wales: an inquiry into whether Wales should acquire greater powers over broadcasting. The deadline for submitting evidence has been extended from today, 9th December to Monday, 20th December. Whatever its outcome, this inquiry marks a key developmental stage in the process of devolution in Wales. Continue reading Devolution of Broadcasting, Wales
All Things Considered – 9am on Sunday 8th December – reviews the year in Film. I had great fun doing this with Peter Francis, Warden of Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden and musician and tech entrepreneur, Nigel Ipinson Fleming. Roy Jenkins steered our debate.
On the panel reviewing a terrific roster of films: ALL THINGS CONSIDERED BBC Radio Wales 9am, 9th December
December 2019 back through to 2018
BBC Radio Wales Annual Film Review, All Things Considered Sunday 8 December 9 am
Place and Displacement: November 2019 Support for the Individual Artist Programme Award (SIAP) from the Arts Council of N. Ireland and National Lottery for a project in poetry, memoir and fiction.
Pitching for Creatives: 28th November CULT Cymru My 1-day pitching workshop.
