my activity
2024
national neurodiversity week - march
In my council job, I shared a personal piece of writing for a National Diversity Week event. The piece also went in the staff newsletter.
world poetry day - march
I shared The Song of Ryebank Fields at a World Poetry Day event on March 21st at Chapter One Books in Manchester.
how green is our city? - march
In March, The Song of Ryebank Fields was published in Cultureword's digital anthology, 'How Green is our City?' sharing new ideas and enthusiasm for greening our futures.
ryebank fields - april
A intimate sharing of The Song of Ryebank Fields in the Aspen Grove.
earth pathways diary - august
My poem 'Be a human tree' appears during August in the Earth Pathways diary.
2023
earth pathways calendar - january
My poem 'Trust the roundel' was used for January in the Earth Pathways calendar.
the crying cafe - january
I joined with Manchester poet Dominic Berry to bring 'The Crying Cafe' to Altrincham Garrick Theatre on Wednesday 11th January. It was a special gathering, inspired by his wonderful poem of the same name. Find out more here.
bask & bbc radio manchester interview - january
After a poetry set at Bask in Stockport, hosted by David Scott (aka Argh Kid), David interviewed me for Upload on BBC Radio Manchester.
my poet's boots - february
I shared 'My Poet's Boots' at Gullivers NQ in Manchester to celebrate the launch of Dominic Berry's new book, 'Yes Life'.
word central - february
Joined the community at Word Central at Manchester's Central Library for my first three-minute slot.
all fm interviews - march
Interviewed on 5th March by Ruth O'Reilly from ALL FM where the poem The Song of Ryebank Fields had its premiere. Hear part of the audio on my special page for the poem and the whole hour on Spotify. Also interviewed by Sile Martin on Thursday 16th March, sharing poems about nature and the land, including 'The Song of Ryebank Fields'. You can hear the programme on Mixcloud.
ryebank fields - march
Stood in the circle by the Aspen Grove and honoured the land with The Song of Ryebank Fields. Thanks to everyone who came to join me.
word central - march
Shared The Song of Ryebank Fields at March's Word Central at Manchester's Central Library.
field of os pocket park - april
Another outdoor airing of The Song of Ryebank Fields. This time, at the Field of Os Pocket Park in Chorlton.
space to emerge - beltane
A return to Fell Foot Woods, Lake Windermere, for Beltane with The Way of the Buzzard. This year, I co-hosted Saturday night's open mic and shared The Song of Ryebank Fields with a communal hum at the end. A magical experience. On Sunday night, I shared 'Find your tribe' again with everyone gathered around the fire.
ryebank fields - may
Shared a child-friendly version of The Song of Ryebank Fields on Saturday 20th May as part of the 'Bee Together' gathering with SUMO Collective for Chorlton Arts Festival. (Picture: Lisa Thomason)
On Sunday 28th June, I performed the poem in the fields with a communal hum at the end for the Lantern Parade with MAD Sustainable Design - part of Chorlton Arts Festival. Watch a video of the event.
earth pathways diary - june
My poem 'Find your tribe' was used for June in the Earth Pathways diary 2023.
celebrate festival - june
I joined a gathering of poets, hosted by Tony Curry, at the Celebrate Festival in Whalley Range, Manchester, sharing The Song of Ryebank Fields.
st peter's square - june
The Song of Ryebank Fields - A Facebook Live of the poem was filmed at June's Fridays For The Future protest at St Peter's Square, Manchester City Centre.
didsbury arts festival - june
I shared The Song of Ryebank Fields at the free Opening Event for Didsbury Arts Festival on Saturday 24th June. I also arranged a gathering - My Poet's Boots - on the evening of Wednesday 28th June at Saison in West Didsbury.
rhyme time - july
I did a set around the land and nature, including The Song of Ryebank Fields, at Rhyme Time, The Carlton Club, Whalley Range on Sunday 9th July, hosted by poet and musician Tony Curry.
ryebank fields fundraiser - august
Shared The Song of Ryebank Fields, at The Carlton Club, Whalley Range on Thursday 24th August. See the Facebook Live.
stay a while longer - august
I did a small fundraiser for Samaritans by sharing my poem Stay a while longer.
wirral earth fest - september
Joined singer and friend Bexi Owen at Wirral Earth Fest on Saturday 16th September, sharing poems of the land.
word central - september
Shared Stay a while longer at September's Word Central at Manchester's Central Library.
the cloud - september
Met up with strolling mummers at the top of The Cloud, a hill in Congleton, and honoured the land with The Song of Ryebank Fields.
mindfulness and neurodiversity - march
Facilitated a conversation in my council job as part of my involvement with the Staff Neurodiversity Network.
word central - december
Shared 'Land of cold souls' and 'Soup' at December's Word Central at Manchester's Central Library.
2022
days of grace - january
I shared my second book of poetry, inspired by my deeper connection to nature, Days of Grace.
public living room - march
Two years later than originally planned, I was involved in setting up Wythenshawe's first Public Living Room as part of my Camerados activity.
space to emerge - beltane
In late April, I joined a retreat in the woods for Beltane with The Way of the Buzzard. Saturday night was open mic and I shared several of my poems, including 'Be a human tree' (pictured). On the Sunday night, I shared 'Find your tribe' with everyone gathered around the fire in the growing dark. (Photo credit: Peter Yankowski)
tedx warrington - june
I gave a talk at the first ever TEDx Warrington in June 2022. It's around the theme of connection and includes my poem 'Ripples'. Watch the video of my talk. Find out more here. (Photo credit: TEDx Warrington, Andrew Collier Photography)
not another co-production festival - june
I manned a poetry board at 'Not Another Co-production Festival' at the Science & Industry Museum, Manchester, creating poems from the collected words and sharing my poem 'Ripples' on stage.
we are all trees - july
I shared several of my poems, including 'Be a human tree' at the opening of 'We Are All Trees', a micro-festival in Fell Foot Woods in the Lake District.
rhyming words #3 - august
I was a bit of an interloper on the photo from last Rhyming Words #3 at The Globe in Glossop. I was blown away by the poetry - and the poets - and honoured to share the stage with them as an Open Mic performer.
words of hope poetry event
/ suicide prevention day is everyday - october
I took part in a poetry event at Stretford Public Hall for Shining A Light On Suicide, sharing 'ripples' and 'bring it back to the days'. I was also invited to share 'ripples' at a virtual event for Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention.
rhyming words #4 - october
On the Open Mic again at The Globe in Glossop, performing poems from 'Days of grace'.
poetry for the soul - november
Poetry For The Soul was a Twitter-share of poems to comfort, encourage and uplift - with poets Hannah Green and Dr Kate Jenkinson. Find out more here.
rhyming words #5 - december
I did my first ever poetry set at The Globe Pub in Glossop on Friday 16th December, alongside amazing poets. (Photo credit: Max Stone)
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2021
wythenshawe good neighbours my resilience matters - august
During the pandemic, Wythenshawe Good Neighbours produced a 'My Resilience Matters' pack with older people in the area. Snippets from my 'pandemic a-z' and 'we're all new to this' appear in it. I also shared some of my poems at the launch.
poetry & story share - october
I hosted a 'Poetry & Story Share' as part of Northenden's first ever arts festival on Thursday 28th October. As part of this, I shared some of the brand new poems from my second book of poetry.
letting go like trees - november
I wrote a blog for the Loss Project - Letting go like trees.
poetry soul train - new year's eve
Poetry Soul Train was a 24hr Twitterfest starting at 8pm on New Year's Eve 2021.The idea was to send words around the world celebrating being human. Supported by the Camerados, I came up with the idea as part of the 'Xmas Can Be Crap' activities.
2020
a conversation about kindness - january
I facilitated a conversation exploring the theme of kindness at Salutem Cafe in Northenden, South Manchester.
pandemic a-z - june
I wanted to do something to support people during the pandemic, so I created a free piece of writing 'Soul survival guide: pandemic a-z'. There was also a series of short videos, taking a different letter each time.
we're all new to this - september
I produced a pocketbook of poetry - We're all new to this - as words of comfort and encouragement during the pandemic. I put them around Northenden in South Manchester, creating a poetry trail for an 'Up Your Street' event.
connection fest - december
I created Connection Fest, an online festival with the support of the Camerados, running throughout the month of December to bring people together during the pandemic.
2019
soul survival guide - february
Self-published my book 'Soul survival guide'.
a conversation about courage - november
I facilitated a conversation exploring the theme of courage at Salutem Cafe in Northenden, South Manchester.
