From the moment I found out about the existence of Lundy, I knew I had to do Door-to-Door Poetry there. An island in the Bristol Channel, it’s 3 miles long and half a mile wide. Ran by the Landmark Trust, it boasts a resident population of 28 people, including a warden, some bar staff, and a farmer. Continue reading “Lundy Island”
Captain’s Log 14/09/19 13:49
I’m walking along the canal in Tottenham, on my way to Stonebridge Lock. Today I’m delivering the poems for Dave, Alex and Carl, who I met in some houseboats Continue reading “Back to the Boats”
Captain’s Log 19/09/19 13:57
I’m at the North Circular Road. This weekend, I’m delivering all of my 6 poems for the residents of London, and I’m starting with the people I met here, next to the Swaminarayan Temple. It’s been 3 weeks since I was in the area. Everything looks a lot smaller, maybe it was the nerves.
Continue reading “Stepping in the Temple”
My trip to Tottenham Lock left me feeling like I wasn’t quite finished in London. I couldn’t help wondering if visiting houseboats was somehow easier than visiting a house? I’d had a 100% success rate, which was unusual. And I’d been warned that there was absolutely no way this project would work in this city. I didn’t want to leave any room for doubt.
Continue reading “London- Part 2- The Neasden Temple”
London. It’s not exactly a place where people are renowned for talking to strangers, is it? A few years ago, I was doing a show about Door-to-Door Poetry at the Edinburgh Fringe. Afterwards, a lady came over to tell me what she thought about it.
“It’s a great idea,” she said. “But it would never work in London.” Continue reading “London- Part 1- Tottenham Lock”
There is one final twist in the tale of my visit to Milner Court: I ended up writing Ibrahim an extra poem. You might remember, in my last post, I mentioned that he asked for one about the physical and mental benefits of sport. The problem was, I’m a lazy poet, and I really don’t do much exercise. Continue reading “Ibrahim’s Second Poem”
Captain’s Log 01/08/19 11:07
I’m back in Milner Court, delivering some poems. I’m sat in a circle in the communal living space with Chappo, Naya, Ibrahim, Vita and a lad in a Family Guy t-shirt called Jake, who I didn’t meet last time. Continue reading “Poems for St Basils”
As I go around the country, knocking on people’s doors and writing poems for them, it felt right to acknowledge the fact that, for many, having a home of your own is a very distant dream. Continue reading “St Basils Emergency Accommodation”
Captain’s Log 02/07/19 12:38
I’m outside Ian’s house and I’m bang on time. The hotel I stayed in last night has a check-out of 10am, so I’ve spent the past few hours having some tea in a nearby apple orchard, which apparently is the thing to do in Grantchester… Continue reading “Grantchester Meadows”
Captain’s Log 14/06/19 12:04
I’m standing outside Jeffrey Archer’s house. The huge metal gates are open. To be honest, I wasn’t really prepared for this. I was prepared for an impenetrable fortress, an intercom. I was expecting to press the button and hear the muffled voice of a maid politely sending me on my way. This changes everything. Continue reading “Grantchester”
