I put a spell on you – the book
November 27, 2023
A book for Christmas? A fascinating real life story of a mega star, Nina Simone. Nina Simone was a remarkable pianist and one of the
Life Experience
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Life Experience
A book for Christmas? A fascinating real life story of a mega star, Nina Simone. Nina Simone was a remarkable pianist and one of the
About Easy Love Most of the poems in my book, Poems About Love, are about relationships I have noticed, or thought about, or imagined. Easy
Before civilisation and the rule of law, murders were often dealt with by relations and friends of the murder victim. The idea of “an eye
The countdowns to wars often follow a familiar pattern which can easily be observed and briefly expressed. Wise leaders might understand what is happening and
https://youtu.be/jRaN_0olTbg?si=sL8OM_izvzPcukqQ Israel suffered a terrorist outrage. No country, no people deserve such suffering, so to express sympathy and say that Israel has a right to
The Pilot’s Testament A war poem by David Roberts about the moral implications of service personnel obeying orders to carry out lethal action, and the
Condemnation of UK support for genocide This is the judgment of a top international lawyer and UN official writing about the war in Gaza: “This
Preparing for mass burial “Everyone who arrived at the hospital that night had been dismembered,” Maarouf said. “We buried six children together because their bodies
Israeli bombs seek terrorists in Gaza. When the war is over the displaced Palestinians will be able to return to their homes. 30 October 2023
It isn’t often I lie awake at night thinking about troubles in foreign countries but that is happening now. Partly what’s disturbing me is the
First of a new series of Mike Hatchard’s Jazz Breakfasts, 8 October 2023. This featured piano maestro, Mike Hatchard and leading UK saxophonist, Alan Barnes,
Friday 6th October 2023 was a truly special day for our family – the wedding of our daughter, Lorraine, to Tristan in Horsham Register Office.
Jazz Breakfast in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK Mike Hatchard’s new season of Jazz Breakfasts is at a new, splendid venue, the Sussex Yacht Club with views down
Our son Paul set off at dawn last Wednesday on a long journey busking across Europe with his dog Roxy. For most of the last
Hottest Day of the Year Heatwave The hottest day recorded.Towards ten at nightThe rain started. We walked out Into the garden, naked,enjoying the refreshing rain. The
Fifty kinds of love – introduction Fifty kinds of love is the longest poem in Poems about love. It is full of ideas and observations –
W B Yeats, Never Give All The Heart, poem analysis William Butler Yeats, age 35, 1900, painted by his father, John Butler Yeats Never
The poem “Marriage” – part two A wedding group in Sicily, 2017 Here is the text of the poem, and the third of a series
Publisher Saxon Books Returns Popular and long established war poetry anthologies are not only back on sale again, but for a short time are being
Love in three plant pics and a poem, The last train We are currently plant-sitting for friends who have gone on holiday. One of the
The poem “Marriage” from “Poems about Love” Here is the text of the poem, and the first of a series of background infos and comments
Love poems – subtle change of title Published as How could you know? – Poems about love, it is now Poems about love – How
Poems and life – the stories behind the poems 1B The book: Poems about love – How could you know?. The story behind the poems
Marilyn Stafford, distinguished photographer Promoting poetry – a good idea being developed in Shoreham The basic idea is to present a poem, by a local
Stormont Parliament building where the politicians have been refusing to meet for 18 months to govern Northern Ireland. A Poem for Northern Ireland Backward Vision
LOVE POETRY EXTRAORDINAIRE I believe that many people may find a lot to relate to, argue about and be moved or amused by in my
A poem about Iraq in 2003 Tony Blair’s visit to Southern Iraq early in 2003. He explained the wisdom of the war. MY POEM A
Britain’s shameful bombing of Iraq Twenty years ago Britain and the US indulged in a ruthless and immense bombing campaign against Iraq, a country which
Why the French pay much less for their energy Energy costs so much more in the UK as compared with France How Macron protected electricity
The case against spending more on defence Don’t give more money to this man. Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence In the face of
UK gives disproportionate amounts of military aid to Ukraine Shouldn’t other European countries be giving more? See this Government account of our spending: – Web
French nuclear giant makes its worst ever loss. Nuclear power stations go off line. BBC report “EDF’s nuclear output in France fell by 30% to
Anniversary of amazing day of anti-war demonstrations Last week saw the 20th anniversary of an extraordinary and unique day in world history, 15 February 2003.
Apple strudel – poem for St Valentine’s Day My darling, you are the apple strudel of my eye, naughty but nice. And yet, friends warn
Poem – Love is its own reward A poem for NHS workers and everyone in caring professions who go on caring for others, even though
Arms spending 4 – Public service workers Nil Ambulance drivers’, nurses, and other public service workers pay demands are described as “unaffordable”. Yet spending on
My new book How could you know? – Poems about love Love experienced, love observed, love examined from different angles, love in the context of
Increase spending for NHS or more for war? Media neglect of astonishing increase in arms spending Shouldn’t the BBC and other media be exploring this
Where to cut government spending It’s easy to find half the money needed to plug the current government cash shortage. Cut that whopping increase in arms spending November
Cleo Laine, brilliant documentary I strongly recommend you to see the Cleo Laine documentary on BBC iPlayer. I bought the All About Me Cleo Laine
Fascinating documentary about a musical genius Hans Zimmer is the most successful composer of film scores this century. His story was told in a recent
Boom in Military Spending BRITISH PUBLIC might question vast increase in arms spending Today, 20 October 2022, Liz Truss, UK Prime Minister, has resigned and
The costs of nuclear power that the UK government doesn’t consider or reveal to the public Radio-active, toxic waste Nuclear power generation creates vast quantities
Jazz 2022 in Brighton Fringe This May and June sees the largest arts festival in England in action in Brighton. Here are some terrific jazz
British Heart Foundation – Why I support it How important is the British Heart foundation? My personal interest in its work I feel profoundly lucky
https://youtu.be/W6lmXoBRi1A Still feeling the hurt all these years after the end of the Vietnam War, 1975, over 45 years ago. PTSD doesn’t just go away.
Just experienced another brilliant jazz morning at the Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham. Sunday 5th December 2021. Mike Hatchard’s “Jazz Breakfast”. Top musicians on brilliant form.
I don’t know how widely known it is that some very popular and excellent folk songs were written about The First World War long after
This is me in the Mojave Desert, California, in 2009 Climate change is not new Ever since there have been climates on earth there has
One of nearly 400 memorials at The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire A Hymn for Remembrance Sunday May be used as a prayer or sung
The sculpture by Ian Rank-Broadley is perhaps the best known memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. It was inspired by the
A care worker in the BBC programme Crisis is not too strong a word to apply to care of the elderly in care homes and
I had an email from Greta Thunberg on Monday 1 November 2021 She told me that ”the planet is screaming for help”. And “We are
Do the media mislead young about climate change? – My experience of extreme weather Young people who learn about natural disasters from the media may
See deer in this short video taken at the end of October. Read what the deer and park keeper says about what the deer are
More about using rubber sheeting instead of roofing felt for covering a shed roof. – See my earlier post? Will it withstand UV light? A friend
Knole is a magnificent former bishop’s palace with its origins dating back 600 years. It became the property of very wealthy, leading aristocrats, the Sackville
French Film, Aurore, I got Life A witty, insightful and entertaining film about Aurore, a 50 year-old woman looking for love and struggling to cope
Colin Powell, Former US Secretary of State, died 18 October 2021, age 84. Giving false evidence to the UN On 5 February 2003 Colin Powell
My shed with its new roof. Next to it is the lean-to wood store with conventional felt covering Leaking felt-covered shed roof My shed roof
Welcome return of that positive, inspiring and cheerful programme about a couple raising 1000 sheep and nine children – OUR YORKSHIRE FARM. New series. 9pm
Blair and Brown, 5 part BBC2 Documentary started Mon 4 October 2021, 9pm This could be an interesting series about these brilliant and eloquent politicians.
Nuremberg war crimes trials, 1945 – a warning to others “To initiate a war of aggression ….. is the supreme international crime, only different from
DON’T MISS OUT. The Hurst Festival is in full swing in the village of Hurstpierpoint, a few miles north of Brighton. Joe Stilgoe We are
Afghanistan, 20-years of disaster created by America and Britain Taking on Afghanistan in 2001 was an unnecessary and calamitous war on one of the poorest,
World Suicide Prevention Day Suicide, not covid, is the biggest killer of under 35 year olds in the UK Friday 10th September is World Suicide
Great TV – Our Yorkshire Farm on My5 Watch Again Our Yorkshire Farm A TV programme that is truly positive and life-enhancing. You may not
Philharmonia – psychological thriller on All4, on demand Philharmonia is a French six-part psychological drama. We are watching it on All4 via our phone and
Montalbano – last ever book and film Have we seen the last of Montalbano? One episode has not been shown on British television. This episode
All About Montalbano – the international TV and literary hit Montalbano and The Young Montalbano Montalbano and The Young Montalbano are two crime series set
Where has the money gone? Aid budget cut funds arms spending Cash shortage isn’t just because of covid. – Biggest arms spending budget for 30
Ernest Hemingway – 1899–1961 – Fascinating Documentary on BBC i-player We have just started watching a fascinating BBC iPlayer documentary about the life of Ernest
For many years I have heard talk of Buddy Rich as “the greatest drummer in the world”. Recently, through the gift of YouTube, I’ve been
Barcombe Mills River Ouse Swimming Update, Water Quality Thank you to the many people who “liked” or commented on my post on facebook on walking
Barcombe Mills – Easy Walk, Picnic, Wild Swim, Go Boating – and info on other places to wild swim Walk by the River Ouse near
Superb giant clematis – but what are the varieties? Superb giant clematis blooms the size of saucers and with stunning colours appeared in our garden
Last Saturday (5 June 2021) I went to an exhibition of sculpture in stone, ceramics, wood, and metal by my friend, Brighton artist, Alison McGechie.
It’s surprising to find censorship from facebook when facebook is dedicated to the free expression of opinions. I suspect there are people in facebook who
Our baby crow I found this crow sitting on a stone on top of a pile of bricks near our greenhouse on Thursday afternoon (20
The line Joe Biden is taking towards Israel shames America Joe Biden repeatedly states that Israel has the right to self defence, a statement which
Save the Children plead on behalf of the children of Gaza and Israel In the last week, at least 58 children in the enclave territory
Worldwide protests against Israeli bombing of Gaza It’s unlikely that UK mainstream media has reported protests from around the world against Israel’s bombing. Picture taken
Quakers call for end to violence in Palestine 11 May 2021 Paul Parker describes some of the things done by Israelis over 7 decades which
Born in 1942, I now have time to enjoy life more widely and reflect on my experience, interests, and contemporary events.
My books (books I have edited) are primarily books of war poetry (mainly the First World War) and remembrance poems.
I also run a very popular war poetry website www.warpoetry.uk
