Gloucester Creative Olympics and The Launch of The Wind Vessel (by sarah)

Yesterday I went to The Battle For The Winds Episode One in Stroud, I had won a bronze medal for my song Windy Gloucestershire. This was part of the creative Olympics and also saw the launch of the Wind Vessel which will be in Cheltenham for the Torch and then will be going on to Wynmouth with the rest of the South West efforts.

It was in the Brunel Goodshed - there was a parade as well but with the weather an us all having been so ill recently we decided to miss that bit. The place was jam packed!

What we could see of the vessel being launched though Alaric and Jean seemed to really enjoy 🙂

There is unfortunatly no video or photos of me on stage - Alaric managed to take two one second videos at the beginning and end of my bit being presented my medal - it would have been a good angle too 🙁

My medal was made by the graphics students at the college. It was presented by Old Mother Gloucestershire who's outfit was brilliant 🙂

But here are the photos we did take of the general stage stuff before and after my bit 🙂

The we saw the launch of the Wind Vessel - which I actually really like - plus it doubles as a musical instrument and I always like things like that 🙂

After the main bit people started to disperse a bit and there was more space to see the martial art dancers and various other little shows. I went to the tent with the Creative Olympic stuff in but though people were asking to listen to my song - it was unfortunatly the only one not there - even though the organisers said it had been - so someone has borrowed it I assume or it's down the back of tent or something!

The place was full of little cafes and a giant junk igloo called the Mould Cafe - this led through to a section where kids could put their heads through and seem themselves as part of a video.

Mary was desperate to join in so once the crowds had thinned a bit we let her loose to toddle - but the main thing she wanted to do was be held up to the gymnasts ring!

And because I am me - I took arty shots of things 🙂

Cheltenham Poetry Festival 2012 (by sarah)

Last week saw the Cheltenham Poetry Festival.

I started off by going to see Domestic Cherry - so funny. It was Michael Scott and Hilda Sheechan in the personas of a Swidon Chav and a hyper kitch Housewife.

The I headed out to dinner with one of the stewards and then onto Slak Bar to see Mab Jones and her Welsh Rare Bits - these guys are amazing! Laughter until tears stream down your face. Unfortunatly I had to leave this event early due to illness.

The next morning saw me up bright and early and sitting in The Muffin Man sipping tea awaiting to share my poetry. I was part of the Poetry Cafe Showcase.

I then stayed on to watch The Stroud Pamphlet Poets.

Then I headed over to Waterstones to watch various poets there

Leeum did like a 20 minute show from memory that had the audience reeling (or in one case wanting to give him a hug).

The next day I had a workshop to run - the Monster Writing Game - it was supposed to be at The Brewery but the weather was just too bad so it was moved to Waterstones.

We stuck around for a Jean to take part in Joy-Amy Wigman's childrens workshop - also on monster 🙂

We stayed on for the Childrens Poetry showcase with Francis Axon - Jeany loves her poetry which she had heard at Christmas in the Brewery. The other poet unfortunatly couldn't attend so I ended up performing some of my childrens poems.

The next day saw me back out early for more childrens workshops - this time it was The Poetry Bees and Their Story Tree. My poor Dad had to walk through Cheltenham with a giant papier mache purple tree - only happens to people who know me 🙂

I then got ready for Occupy Poetry - the last night poetry party bonanza.

Alaric was once more forced to listen to poetry - but this time he had company 🙂

I took arty shots

Then the comedy started with Julie Psycho Jones and Josh plus the performance Poet Ash.

It was a brilliant but exhusting week and I wish I'd gotten to see more.

Communion Book Launch (by sarah)

Monday saw me and Alaric in a Chapel within the Campus of the University of Gloucestershire. We were going to the book launch of Communion a beautiful work of stark images and deeply bleak words.

My friend Anna Saunders had written those words and as always her work was hard hitting and brought forth those sirens of the id. The chapel was atmospheric set out with candles.

We watched a short film of the images and word with haunting music permeating the wonderful acoustics of the building. Then Anna read some of the poems from the book plus some new ones from a work in progress with the same artist.

The Artist Suze Adams images were the perfect accompaniment to Anna's words.

Here is my very poor photography of Anna reading

This was all followed by wine and a piano accordian player who's name I sadly can't remember.

Alaric as always sat stoically through the whole thing.

You can see larger images by clicking on the photos - I apologies the light levels were obviously very low and I'm still running with a cheap happy snappy!

Brilliantly Big Birthday Bonanza BBQ, Banquet and Baffonary (by sarah)

Friday it all started with the arrival of the alien shroom

a.k.a. my father or Ferfer as he is better known. This was accompanied by the rest of my family as in my mum.

My bro and his wife all of whom got family snuggles 🙂

Jean had been preparing treats for the last few days 🙂

Which she forced people to eat - especially people with April birthdays

I'd been baking too.

Lots of DIY and work on the house was done then Saturday night more madness ensued with the arrival of friends who also had April birthdays - they bought yummy vegan cake with them 🙂

We ordered take away - I set the table up nicely - the 'new' table as in my grandmothers dinning table which had come up in my parents car on Friday. It has leaves that fold out to make it a big table - but there were now 11 people in the house so I went for buffet style.

Food arrived - a mix of pizza, chips, curry, and chinese food. Everyone was catered for 🙂

Including the baby

Aunty Michelle kept giving in and feeding her 🙂

The next day - with five birthdays to cater for we decided BBQ was the way to go 🙂

the neighbours bought round cake too as it was their easter celebration 🙂

Of course it had to be lit first

Then the celebrating began 🙂

My Bro on his birthday celebration 🙂

The weekend also saw scrabble playing

And Music!

A good time was had by all 🙂

p.s. almost forgot to mention the welding and papier mache that took place too!

Stroud Dance Festival 2012 (by sarah)

This is Jean getting ready for her dancing at the Stroud Dance Festival. She did really well though had to sit out one of the dances due to feeling sick towards the end - it was very hot in the hall and the kids were doing A LOT of dancing.