LET THE SUMMERTIME FESTIVITIES COMMENCE...

Saturday 18th July saw us sharing a pitch with The Gate Library at the Forest Gate Street Festival, now in its 10th year. The festival sees thousands of local people strolling in the sun while enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of what can only be described as a fantastic cultural event. (See film clip below)

Our display featured a magnificent tapestry produced by members of Age Concern Newham and many of the artists who worked on it popped along to see their handiwork on display.

T'was great to see their pride as they explained the process of making it to various members of the public, including the Mayor!

Thanks to Joan at Age Concern for her hard work in making this happen and it was indeed a pleasure to meet Joan C, Olive, Maggie and all the other wonderful ladies.

We also had a 'Wishing Table' (see above) - a great idea nicked from Annette at Spread the Word (credit where credit's due)- where we recorded nigh on a hundred wishes and poems from the day.

Those with eagle eyes and sharp minds may notice I keep saying "we". Well it certainly aint the Royal "We". The 'we' is actually poet, Nathalie, the new project manager in Newham and myself... welcome to Newham, Nat. Ho ho.

It also turned out to be a hard days' work for Library Facilitator Andrew and his assistant Genevieve who were kept busy all day signing up young people to the Summer Reading Challenge which effectively kicks off about... now.

I loved the talent contest (The first act was the winner in my eyes) and the young local band who covered Rolling Stones songs had a great vibe about them. However t'would've been great to see them do some original material. The jazz band really cleaned up though...

So one can confidently say the festival was a triumph for the organisers... well done. The only downside was that I didn't manage to get myself a festival T-shirt!

The 3-week Break into Freelance Journalism

course at East Ham Library with Jo Mears came to a successful end. An average of 11 people attended each session and the feedback was extremely complimentary about Jo and the camaraderie of the group. I'll be looking out to see the participants moving on in their careers.

Rock on till next year's festival, but while we're waiting, here's a snippet of some of the wishes written by the Newham public:

I wish I had a billion pounds to spend on improving the world and access to the money / I wish my cat could speak / I wish the world was chocolate / I wish I had a lap top (Ahmed, age 5) / I wish for a loo (Sara, age 5) / I wish we had Barack Obama for PM / I wish I had a normal family / I wish I was younger / I wish that I was a millionaire! BRAP! / I wish I could find my perfect soul-mate / I wish I could become a famous singer and actor / I wish to become a professional writer ( and lots of cake would be nice) / I wish that there was no cancer / I wish to be a princess / I wish I could be a in a rock and rowl gang / I wish I were happier /

I wish I were cleverer / I wish I were more approachable / I wish I was rich and could get a good job like something in law and speak like a policeman / I wish everyone had a job / I wish I could shake the Mayor of Newham’s hand / I wish for molecular manipulation / I wish everyone could make a small and positive difference / I wish I would never be dead / I wish for more sweets

Oh, I wish

Water was wine

Women were flowers

Songs were the rain

The air was wealth

And the sky was wisdom:

Oh, but a wish, wishes

Can only be a dream

Wrought from the dark

Reaches of troubled minds

Seeking restitution

from laboured lives, lives

Yet to be conquered

of themselves in time

Oh, I can but wish.

I wish Forest Gate festival was every day!

PHEW, WHAT A SCORCHER!

Hot sweltering days while an airborne virus swills its way through the populace... R Fed wins Wimbledon (or should I say the

Brit guy lost -

again)... a famous pop star gains immortality and the Tube's closed again... and oh, yeah, if you didn't know, there's a recession on. But despite all that, it's all good in the hood. Why?

Because the Judges for The Changing Face 2009 Newham Writing Competition have drawn up their final shortlists for the poetry, short story and short play competitions. A grand awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 12th September at Stratford Library where prizes will be awarded to the winners and commended writers in all 6 categories.

Before displaying the lists, may I remind you that the 'Breaking Into Freelance Journalism' course currently underway at East Ham Library ends o

n 18th July. This 3 week course facilitated by Journalist Jo Mears gives 15 local participants tips and advice from her vast experience working with some of Britain's leading broadsheet newspapers and magazines.

I should also tell you about the Forest Gate Street Festival which is in its 10th year and takes place on Saturday 18th July in Osborne Road, E7. As Newham Writer in Residence, I'll be there manning a stall alongside The Gate Library. Look out for a wonderful tapestry designed and made by members of Age Concern Newham, one of our partners in another project working with older residents called A Picture Paints a Thousand Words. Why not pop along to this vibrant festival which has an average attendance of around 3,000 visitors with music, performan

ces, food stal

ls and other interesting exhibitions.

Another interesting opportunity is a writers' advice session with freelance editor Patsy Isles onJuly 23rd at Stratford Library. Any local writer who would like advice on their work or their career can book an appointment to meet with Patsy. There will be further Writers' Advice sessions on 27th August and 24th September. To book any of these sessions emailannette@spreadtheword.org.uk or call 020 7735 3111.

July's Ride The Word poetry and short story reading evening takes place on Wednesday 29th July at Cafe Yumchaa Tea Shop, 45 Berwick Street, Soho, W1. The night boasts an exciting

lineup of writers including Luke Kennard, Cherry Smyth, Jay Merrill, Vincent de Souza and yours truly. There are additional readings from Tom Chivers, Dzifa Benson andDavi

d Caddy, editor of guest

magazine Tears in the Fence as well as an open mic floor spot for budding poets.

Now it's Crunch Time! Below is the shortlist for the 2009 Newham Writing Competition. We had a tremendous response to the competition and the judges, Maureen Duffy judging short stories, Charlie Dark judging poetry and Georgia Fitch judging short plays had the unenviable task of selecting work from all the entries.

I'd like to offer congratulations and a jolly well done to all the writers but * please note that the lists below are in alphabetical order only. Actual winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 12th September 2009 at Stratford Library.

Those listed will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony where they get the opportunity to read their work, win a prize and possibly qualify for publishing in an anthology.

Good luck!

2009 NEWHAM WRITING COMPETITION POETRY SHORTLIST

GENERAL CATEGORY

Elaine Baker - I have seen

Jacqui Durand - That Battle

Julian Hilaire - Newham is Proud

Koel Mukherjee - Newham’s Face

UNDER 21

Shuhena Bhanu - The Ghostly Face of Newham

Sophia Mahmood - The Changing Face

Natasha Mwansa - The Changing Face

POETRY OVER 60'S

Gordon Kirkley - The Changing Face

Sheila Madge Lee - A Morning In The Park

Janet O’Brien – Hurdler’s Dream

Lilian Rabey - I Was Old Before I Was Young

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Piotr Ambozik - I Do Not Know But I Do Know

Joshua Brian - I Do Not Know But I Do Know

Jamie Brooks - I Do Not Know But I Do Know

Simran Dovedi - Changing Face

Joe Young - If I Was A Cabbage

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Ann Adesolabomi - Love at First Bite

Oluwatunmise Daniels - The Giraffe

Rida Hasan - Changing Face

Fahima Khanum - The New Building

Akil Job Omari - Looking Forward

Klaudija Viscockyte - The Changing Face


ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Annette du Plessis - Hopeless Homeless

Barry Freedom Taylor - The Changing Face

Klaudia Visockyte - The Changing Face

2009 NEWHAM WRITING COMPETITION SHORT STORY SHORTLIST

GENERAL CATEGORY

Jacqueline Applebee - Mother, Maiden, Crone

Annette du Plessis - Forgotten

Colette Fleming - Nellie

Sylvester Onwordi - Galleon’s Reach

Joy Stone - Changing Places

UNDER 21

Zele Huma Butt - Aurora Borealis-The Lady Aiken

Remya Unnithan - Tom Cruise’s Diary

OVER 60'S

Cynthia Adejayan - The Changing Face

Christine Edwards - Rose’s First Telegram

Trevor Hadley - The Wallet

Alan Lancaster - A Face In The Mud

Carol Price - Life Could Be A Dream

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Dise Ockri - The Changing Face

Grace Raj - The Changing Face

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Billy Tonks - Chasing A Dream

Afrida Alam - Envisioning Glory

Zeenat Abdoolwahed - For The Better

Irsalan Ahmed - The Greenway

Sherena Hamilton - The Changing Face Of Hope

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Sandra Nam - A Day in Newham

Annette du Plessis - Forgotten

R. Giridharan - From East With Glory

Chiedza Penelope Mwandiambira - Picture Perfect

2009 NEWHAM WRITING COMPETITION SHORT PLAY SHORTLIST

SHORT PLAY

Paula David – Second Chance

Annette Kamara – The 104 Bus Stop

Clive Power – Hollow The Leader

Deb Scott-Lovric – Keeping Abreast

AS THE DAYS ROLL BY...

The deadline has passed for the Changing Face Newham Writing Competition.

We had an amazing response with a last minute flurry from writers who obviously fancied their chances of winning a cash prize and the possibility of getting their short story or poem published, or even getting their short play rehearsed and read at the Theatre Royal Stratford East with professional actors and directors. Now though, it's decision time for the judges and providence rests in the laps of the Gods (whoever they may be). Look out for results which will be announced in July with a super awards ceremony in early September. So the jolly best of east end good luck to those that entered.

And we've got some exciting events coming up in June which are sure to whet your appetite for creative writing:

Interested in freelance journalism?

Then get yourself signed up to a free 3 week short course running at East Ham Library with journalist Jo Mears. Jo has written feature articles for many regional and national newspapers including The Guardian. She is also the author of Coping with Endometriosis published by Sheldon Press.

Jo will teach up to 15 participants the rules of the game, what it takes to compete as a freelance in the heady world of journalism on Saturdays 4th, 11th and 18th July from 2-4pm. If you live in Newham and you are interested in this course get in touch with Spread the Word and reserve a place. It's first come first served and the email is annette@spreadtheword.org.uk

Another fascinating free event takes place at 2pm on Sunday 14th June at Stratford Library: it's called Jewish Mothers & Daughters and is a film archive produced by playwright and director Julia Pascal exploring the life and family histories of 50 British Jewish women.

The film will give a snapshot of the 50 women who took part in the project, and these include women such as actors Maureen Lipman, Miriam Karlin, Janet Suzman as well as politicians Edwina Currie and Oona King amongst many others.

As an added bonus Oona King, former MP for Bethnal Green will attend the screening and take part in a Q&A session alongside Julia Pascal.

Then would you Adam an' Eve it (believe it)? The following day, Monday 15th June from 7-9pm Stratford Library plays host to 'Ride The Word' a poetry and prose reading event with eminent published writers. As well as readings from poet Vincent de Souza and novelist Jay Merrill you can also look out for local performances of young, up and coming talent and readings from a leading poetry magazine.

With excellent transport links to Stratford with bus, tube and train there's no excuse to miss any of these opportunities. The address is Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, Stratford, London E15 1EL

For further info check out http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/ or call 020 7735 6111

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Hi there,

With spring very much in evidence Spread the word, Newham Libraries and Newham Arts & Festivals Service bring you a series of events to entice you from your winter clothing into fresher literary attire.

We have the creative writing competition, nostalgic writing, short story and poetry writing and performance events all designed to whet your literary appetites:

1. The Changing Face Newham Writing Competition 2009 creative writing taster workshops are still ongoing with workshops at North Woolwich Library (March 19), Plaistow Library (March 26), Stratford Library (April 4), The Gate Library (April 11)...

and let's not forget the special Teenagers' Workshop with poet and DJ Charlie Dark at Canning Town Library, 2-4pm on 21st March.

Charlie Dark is one third of Attica Blues, the critically acclaimed hip hop inspired trio. Charlie has toured around the globe to places such as Japan, US, Germany, Africa, Australia, Canada and most of Europe. Charlie was featured at Poetry International at the South Bank and as well as being the poetry Judge for Changing Faces Newham Writing Competition 2009 he was a Poet Coach for the London Teenage Poetry Slam for three years running.

Event: Changing Face Teenagers' Creative Writing Workshop
Venue: Canning Town Library, Barking Road, Canning Town E16 4HQ
Date: Saturday 21st March
Time: 2pm - 4pm

2. Another ongoing project throughout March and into April run in collaboration with Age Concern Newham and other groups working with residents over 60 years old is A Picture Paints a Thousand Words... or less.

Local people are being asked to bring a picture, photograph or piece of artwork that says something about the history of their community to a series of workshops and invited to express their views through creative writing which will form part of an exhibition touring Newham libraries in the autumn.

The workshops are facilitated by poet and playwright Heather Taylor and community poet and novelist Evlynn Sharp. Participants will also be invited to contribute oral histories which will be recorded and form part of the exhibition. The workshop dates, times and venues are:

11.00am - 12.30pm Thursday 19 March

Samuel Boyce Unit, The Resource Centre, 200 Chargeable Lane, Plaistow, E13 8DW. Tel: 020 7474 4814

10.30am - 12.30pm Thursday 26 March

Mariner Day Centre, 1 Mariner Road, Manor Park E12 5RX, Tel: 020 8553 9801

1.30pm - 3.00pm Tuesday 31 March

St Luke’s Over 50's Club, St Luke's Community Centre, 89 Tarling Road, Canning Town E16 1HN, Tel: 020 7366 6402

1.30pm - 3.00pm Thursday 2 April

Reminiscence Group, Ascension Church Centre, Baxter Road, E16 3HJ, Tel: 020 7511 1232 (option 2)

3. Short Story writing read by local authors comes to the Gate Library on Tuesday 24th March from 6pm 'Tales of the Decongested Vol. 2', a short story reading event hosted by the London Short Story Collective.

The London Short Story Collective's primary objective is to raise the profile of the short story and to discover exciting new talent in London. Writers are encouraged to submit their work online (http://www.decongested.com/) with selected works chosen for public readings with possibilities for publishing into an anthology.
Authors on the night are Sara Hiorns, Frank Goodman, Emily Bromfield, Kate Henderson, Katy Darby, Richard Tyrone Jones. A children's club with art facilities and reading will be available at The Gate making this a real family-friendly event.

Venue: The Gate Library, 4-20 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate E7 0QH
Date: Tuesday 24th March 2009
Time: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start
Finishes: 7.30pm

4. And finally Stratford Library plays host to the official launch of Vincent De Sousa's 2nd collection of poetry called Resurrecting Knives published by Salt Publishing on Tuesday 31st March at 7pm.

Vincent studied English and Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and for many years worked as an advertising copywriter. He set up and ran the 1980s experimental London workshop Physical Poets and currently co-hosts the poetry and short story reading series Ride the Word. In 2007 his first collection Weightless Road was published by Salt Publishing. Vincent is currently one of the facilitators on the Changing Face Writing Competition workshops.
The evening also features readings and performances from local writers. Light refreshments available.

Venue: Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, Stratford E15 1EL
Date: Tuesday 31st March 2009
Time: 7pm - 9pm

I look forward to seeing you at these exciting events.

Chou for now!

'THE CHANGING FACE' Newham Borough Writing Competition 2009

Interested in writing poetry or short stories?
Live, work, study or go to school in Newham?
Want to win a prize and have your work published?

Then why not enter the Newham Borough Writing Competition?

With prizes totaling well over £1000 Newham Libraries and Arts & Festivals Service in association with London’s leading writing organisation, Spread the Word, launches its first borough-wide writing competition for poetry, short stories and stage-plays.

In recognition of dramatic changes taking place in Newham today the theme for the competition is ‘The Changing Face’ and the submitted work, in some way, should reflect this in its content. The deadline for entries is 29 May 2009.

Aimed at writers of all ages and abilities the competition seeks to capture the essence of London’s most diverse borough with additional awards for under-represented groups such as schoolchildren, the Under 21’s, the Over 60’s and those with English as a Second Language.

Don’t worry if you’ve never written before, Spread the Word will be hosting a series of Free creative writing workshops in Newham Libraries to help you get the most from your work.

The workshops will cover poetry, short stories and writing for the stage and will be tutored by playwright and novelist, Laura Bridgeman (left, seen here teaching at Beckton Globe) Laura, who has a PH.D in Creative & Critical Writing teaches at the London Metropolitan University and was recently shortlisted for the Charles Pick Fellowship for her latest novel, Raphael Coombs.

The second workshop tutor is poet Vincent De Souza (below right). An experienced tutor and experimental poet, Vincent ran the central London based experimental workshop Physical Poets and in 2007 he launched his first collection
Weightless Road. He currently co-hosts Ride the Word a poetry and prose reading series and his second collection of poetry Resurrecting Knives published by Salt Publishing is due out in March 2009.

The Workshops will be taking place at these venues and at these times and do call the numbers below to book your place:

Saturday 14 February 2pm - 4pm
Canning Town Library Barking Road, Canning Town E16 4HQ
Tel: 020 7476 2696

Thursday 19 February 6pm – 7.45pm
Custom House Library
Prince Regent Lane, Custom House E16 3JJ
Tel: 020 7476 1565

Saturday 28 February 2pm – 4pm
East Ham Library
High Street South, East Ham E6 6EL
Tel: 020 8430 3648

Thursday 5th March 6pm – 7.45pm
Green Street Library 337-341 Green Street, Upton park E13 9AR
Tel: 020 8472 4101

Thursday 12 March 6pm – 7.45pm
Manor Park Library
Romford Road, Manor Park E12 5JY
Tel 020 8430 2207

Thursday 19 March 6pm – 7.45pm
North Woolwich Library
5 Pier Parade, North Woolwich E16 2LJ
Tel: 020 8430 5900

* Special Teenagers’ Creative Writing Workshop
Saturday 21 March 2pm - 4pm
Canning Town Library
Barking Road, Canning Town E16 4HQ
Tel: 020 7476 2696

Thursday 26 March 6pm – 7.45pm
Plaistow Library North Street, Plaistow E13 9HL
Tel: 020 8472 0420

Saturday 4th April 2pm – 4pm
Stratford Library
3 The Grove, Stratford E15 1EL
Tel: 020 8430 6890

Saturday 11th April 2pm – 4pm
Library @ The Gate
4-20 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate E7 0QH
Tel: 020 8430 3838

The Competition Judges are:

Maureen Duffy – Short Story
Maureen was born in 1933 in Worthing, Sussex but lived for a large part of her life in Newham. After a career as a schoolteacher she made her debut as a novelist with That’s How It Was, published to wide acclaim in 1962. Duffy has published around 30 other books, including five volumes of poetry. Her latest collection of Poetry, her first in almost twenty years is called Family Values and was published by Enitharmon Press in 2008.

Charlie Dark – Poetry
Charlie Dark is a London-based poet, writer, producer and DJ. He makes up one third of the hip-hop inspired trio Attica Blues and is the founder of Blacktronica, a monthly club night featuring the best acts currently working the black electronic music scene in the UK. He makes regular appearances on the performance poetry circuit, is an experienced tutor and was a Poet Coach for the London Teenage Poetry SLAM for three consecutive years.

Georgia Fitch – Playwriting
Georgia was born in Plaistow. Her plays for the stage include adrenalin …heart, I like Mine With A Kiss, The Footballer’s Wife (Old Red Lion), Come Dancing, Arrivals and Dirty Dirty Princess for the RNT/Connections 2008 Season. Georgia also writes for radio and television.

‘The Changing Face’ Rules

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
1. The theme for this competition is ‘The Changing Face’
2. There is one entry per person.
3. Poetry, short stories and short plays can be submitted
4. There is one award category for Short Plays.
5. There are five award categories for poetry and Short Stories:
(i) General – for all entrants
(ii) Entrants aged under 20
(iii) Entrants aged Over 60
(iv) Entrants who have English as a second language
(v) Entrants attending School
6. Each Entry must be the undisputed work of the Entrant
7. No covering letter or other material should be enclosed with your entry. 8. Once submitted, entries cannot be withdrawn from the competition or alterations made.
9. Entries will not be returned so please do not send your only copy. 10. Acknowledgement of receipt of entry will only be given if a stamped, self-addressed envelope marked ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is enclosed.

ELIGIBILITY
11. Entries will be accepted from writers of any nationality provided that: (i) they live, work, study or attend school in the borough of Newham (ii) they are written or translated into English (iii) they have not previously been published in any form (including appearing on the internet) (iv) they are not translations of another author’s work 12. Employees of Spread the Word and members of its Committees and Management Board and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

GUIDELINES
13. Stories must be no longer than 1,000 words.
14. Poems must be no more than 42 lines in length
15. Entries must be typed or clearly written on one side of the paper only.
16. Plays must be maximum 30 minutes (As a guide: 1 page per minute, double-spaced) with a maximum cast of five characters.
JUDGING
17. Winners will be decided by professional judges.
18. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. 19. The closing date for receipt of entries is 6pm Friday 29 May 2009. All entries must reach us by this date.
20. Shortlisted entries will be notified in writing by end of June 2009. 21. Competitors who want to receive a printed list of prizewinners must enclose a separate stamped, self-addressed envelope marked “prizewinners”

PRIZEWINNERS
22. The list of prizewinners will be available after the prize giving ceremony in August 2009
23. Prizes for short story and poetry are:
£100 for 1st Prize, £50 for 2nd Prize and £25 for 3rd Prize.
In addition there will be supplementary prizes for commended work as well as prizes for winners currently attending school.
24. Prizes for Short Plays will be rehearsed, public readings with professional actors, staged at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
25. All winners will agree to participate in any reasonable request by the Organisers to fulfill marketing obligations relating to the Competition and their own Entry.
26. Winning and commended poems and short stories will be published in an anthology and the authors offered mentoring and professional advice. The authors of the winning plays will be offered future dramaturgical support with their writing.

COPYRIGHT
27. Copyright will remain with the author, but Spread the Word and Newham Writing Competition reserves the right to arrange the first publication in an anthology.
28. Submission of a poem, short story or play implies the competitor’s acceptance of the conditions set out above.

COMPETITION RULES
29. These terms and conditions are the Competition Rules (‘Rules’) and by entering the competition, all entrants agree to be bound by them.
30. You can enter online by requesting a submission form from writingcompetition@newham.gov.uk

Postal entries can be sent to: Newham Writing Competition, Library at The Gate, 4-20 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, London E7 0QH

THE CHANGING FACE of a dream...

We're well and truly into the throes of 2009 and it's already proving to be quite a momentous month, not least because on a freezing cold January 20th the United States of America inaugurated its 44th President.

Americans preened, danced and cried whilst basking in the glory of deservedly being crowned the greatest nation on the earth. Various media outlets reported over a billion people worldwide tuning into the event, the rest of the world looking on somewhat perplexed, possibly shamed as they cast a glance into the fractured mirror of their own stagnant societies, where they would see merely a dream. Americans peered beyond the dream...

Tuesday 27th January saw the official launch of 'The Changing Face' Newham Borough Writing Competition to a standing room only crowd at Stratford Library. There was a lovely turnout from local writers, press and Newham Council staff and it was particularly pleasing to be able to welcome a contingent of schoolchildren from Keir Hardie Primary School, whom I must say were exemplary in their attitude to the event. I will be returning the favour by arranging a visit to the school.

The Competition Judges, all with a connection to Newham, poet Charlie Dark, playwright Georgia Fitch and poet, novelist and playwright Maureen Duffy each expressed their vision for writing in the borough and we were blessed with a wonderful poetry performance from eighteen year old Samuel Jima with his very moving and rhythmic poems. He is definitely one for the future with his relaxed, yet poignant style. Local author Sarah Hiorn read a characterful short story from a recent publication and poet, Vincent De Souza read from his new collection of hard-hitting experimental poetry Resurrecting Knives, which is due to be launched in March 2009.

The competition is open to everyone who lives, works or studies in Newham and it is designed to reach everybody. Posters and leaflets will be displayed in all Newham's libraries and front offices as well as in various community and resource centres.

There are cash prizes and book tokens as well as writing development and mentoring support from Spread the Word, London's leading writer development agency on offer to winners and commendable entrants with the chance of being published in an anthology.

I'm also very pleased to reiterate the competition's aims to reach as many people as possible by offering additional award categories such as for Schoolchildren, Under 21's, Over 60's and for those who speak English with a 2nd language.

Furthermore the winning three plays in the short play section will each receive public rehearsed readings performed by professional actors and directors at our partner organisation Theatre Royal Stratford East as well as qualifying for dramaturgical support in their writing from Spread the Word.

Don't be coy if you've never written before because Spread the Word will be hosting a series of FREE creative writing workshops across Newham's libraries starting with the Beckton Globe on Saturday 31st January. The workshop is being tutored by playwright and published novelist, Laura Bridgeman who boasts a Phd. in Critical Writing from the University of East Anglia. So pick up a leaflet from any library in Newham and book yourself a place.

For further information check out the Newham website on http://www.newham.gv.uk/ or email writingcompetition@newham.gov.uk

While the competition is running its easy to forget the other work taking place almost simultaneously, such as the 'Picture Paints a Thousand Words'. Working in partnership with Age Concern Newham, this project will work with residents aged over 60, collating their work into an exhibition this autumn. There is also the added possibility of publishing some of the work and I am really excited about the outcome.

Veering tangentially, I went to an event on 28th January hosted by Salt Publishing at Borders Bookshop in Oxford Street, called Ride the Word. Poets and novelists give readings of some of their work. On this particular night they had poetry readings from Vincent de Sousa (who'll be working with us on the writing competition as a tutor), Kathryn Simmons and Chris McCabe reading poetry which was at once electrifying, political and then winced with acerbic humour. We also had readings from their short fiction works by Chrissie Gittens and a cutting and colourful reading from Jay Merrill. I thouroughly recommend this as an evening and hopefully I'll be trying to attempt Ride the Word to come to Newham... watch this space.

Remember, keep your eyes on the prize and I look forward to receiving your entries...

Regards

Hey, it's CHRISTMAS!

OK, so there's a credit crisis, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan; political unrest in Greece, Somali pirates on the high seas; Zimbabwe... and some guy's been shifting 50 Billion dollars from company to company, bank account to bank account for ten years and nobody knows about it? Yeah, right! It's Christmas not April Fools!

And now we have all the multi-national corporations seizing the opportunity to balance their books and settle old scores, sacking staff and writing off billions of dollars from world money markets. Even the residents of Sark, the tiny little island off the English coast have gone all militant. It might seem as if all hell's breaking loose all over the world, and perhaps it is, but hey, it's Christmas!

Even those who don't celebrate Christmas recognise it as a wonderful time to re-charge the batteries. One can look forward to starting all over again... the grindstone, the recession, the electric bill up again, speeding tickets, or worse, parking tickets, newspapers with no news, the smell of napalm in the afternoon...

Righteo, now that's off the phlegmatic chest... hosted a couple of great events during November, the exceptionally warm and erudite poet, novelist and playwright Maureen Duffy and the equally brilliant playwright Georgia Fitch.

Maureen read from Family Values, her much vaunted recently published collection of poems at Stratford Library. She talked about her family connections to Newham and Stratford in particular and built up a beautiful mosiac of what it must have been like to live in Newham just after the war with her incredibly revealing reading style. She followed this by reading from her first novel That's How It Was - brilliant.

It was very exciting hearing her talking with the audience about the tremendous change taking place in the borough. Largely in favour of the massive investment and new opportunities in the area, I wondered if there was a tinge of regret lurking in the back of her mind about the diminishing indiginous culture. But hey, it's Christmas!

The following night saw the extraordinary talented Georgia Fitch at The Gate Library in Forest Gate. Completely at ease in home territory, so to speak, it was fascinating to witness her warm relationship with the audience and her natural ability to engage them with her ideas of what theatre means to her. Georgia regaled the standing-room-only audience with the story of her career from actor to producer to writer and certainly inspired a number of the people there who were keen to write plays for the stage and I have since heard from two of them who are indeed stepping onto that treadmill. There are plans to bring Georgia back to Newham to host a practical workshop for which you'll have to watch this space. Hey, it's Christmas!

Talking about Christmas, I went along to the press night of Theatre Royal Stratford East's panto Hansel & Gretel which I thought was wonderful. The music was great with some really energetic performances and a lovely panto-damish turn from Marcus Powell as Delberta. So, I 'm recommending this show to everyone, the kids are going to love it.

Looking ahead, 2009 is going to be an exciting year for creative writing in Newham, not least because at some point in January we launch a creative writing competition. What I like about this proposed competition is that it will be all inclusive, that means everyone has the chance to enter and perhaps win a prize with publishing opportunities. I'm not going to pre-empt the announcement of the event but again I say, watch this space.

I'm also going to be working on a unique event with young people and film and another event which I'm really excited about is a creative arts project with the Over 60's. In this youth-orientated world I hunger to hear the stories, the thoughts and opinions of the elder generation who have lived through some of the fastest technological advances since Man first picked up a rock and split the atom... well he didn't know he was splitting an atom- to him it was a walnut, but hey, it's Christmas!

It's been a great 2008, but 2009's gonna be greater!

All the best

Peace.