Superb classic and jazz piano concert in Steyning, UK, with Mike Hatchard
Mike Hatchard wowed his audience at The Steyning Centre, UK, on Saturday 14 March 2026. A very relaxed Mike Hatchard […]
Culture
Love is its own reward
Love is its own reward Some people stand apart, have no need of status, recognition, or the world’s approval. They
When I painted Mona Lisa
When I painted Mona Lisa When I painted Mona Lisa I didn’t do it to please her, I’d like you
I feel sorry for all you terrorists
A poem expressing the seldom heard idea that the voice of terrorists should be heard and that terrorists sometimes operate
Enjoy Sunday Jazz – Mike Hatchard’s “Jazz Breakfast”
Singer Julie Roberts in Mike Hatchard’s famous JAZZ BREAKFAST in Shoreham. Now upstairs in The Shoreham Centre. Four jazz musicians
Apple Strudel Verses for St Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s messages, or any message of romantic love, it’s so easy to be sugary and cliched.That’s why I thought
Poem: The tiny island
The tiny island This sheetof white tissue paperreminds me of the seathat day.Hardly a whisper.Almost still. And the tiny islanduninhabited.
Do you like drawing?
If you like drawing you may be interested in, or even inspired by, a rare opportunity to see drawings of
French film, The Taste of Things
Hurst Village Cinema – another brilliant film – The Taste of ThingsDirected by Tran Anh Hung, starring Juliette Binoche and
Words are falling on Gaza
Words are falling on Gaza Introduction 2004 This poem written in 2009 is tragically relevant to today’s Israeli onslaught on
The Death of Herbie Flowers
I was very sorry to hear of the death of Herbie Flowers on 5 September 2024. He will be missed
War Poetry Books I Published
I’ve been publishing war poetry books for over 25 years, especially anthologies of First World War poetry. Two have been
Love poem in a time of scientific medical advance
Love poem in a time of scientific medical advance I used to sayDarling, we will never part.So long as I
Apple Strudel Verses for St Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s messages, or any message of romantic love, it’s so easy to be sugary and cliched. That’s why I
David Hockney Portraits at National Portrait Gallery
David Hockney self portrait, one of a large number of portraits and self portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, London,
Culture, Films/TV
Football Winning Teams – Brighton and Marseille – and a Netflix series
https://youtu.be/-zwKrUwlHtk?si=FjfO7SGV68Gelv6t Thursday 14 December 2023, Amex Stadium, Brighton. UEFA Europa League Match Brighton 1, Marseille nil Who are the people
A war poetry anthology Christmas present?
Know someone interested in war poetry? A range of popular books at exceptional prices. Great Christmas presents. I’ve been publishing
Poem – There Will Be Peace
There Will Be Peace There will be peace: when attitudes change; when self-interest is seen as part of common interest;
I put a spell on you – the book
A book for Christmas? A fascinating real life story of a mega star, Nina Simone. Nina Simone was a remarkable
Poem – Easy Love
About Easy Love Most of the poems in my book, Poems About Love, are about relationships I have noticed, or
Poem – Revenge
Before civilisation and the rule of law, murders were often dealt with by relations and friends of the murder victim.
Poem – The Path to War
The countdowns to wars often follow a familiar pattern which can easily be observed and briefly expressed. Wise leaders might
The Pilot’s Testament
The Pilot’s Testament A war poem by David Roberts about the moral implications of service personnel obeying orders to carry
Jazz Breakfast at Sussex Yacht Club
First of a new series of Mike Hatchard’s Jazz Breakfasts, 8 October 2023. This featured piano maestro, Mike Hatchard and
Jazz Breakfast in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK
Jazz Breakfast in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK Mike Hatchard’s new season of Jazz Breakfasts is at a new, splendid venue, the Sussex
Guitarist Returns to EU
Our son Paul set off at dawn last Wednesday on a long journey busking across Europe with his dog Roxy.
Hottest Day of the Year
Hottest Day of the Year Heatwave The hottest day recorded.Towards ten at nightThe rain started. We walked out Into the garden,
Fifty kinds of love – Introduction
Fifty kinds of love – introduction Fifty kinds of love is the longest poem in Poems about love. It is full
W B Yeats, Never Give All The Heart, poem analysis
W B Yeats, Never Give All The Heart, poem analysis William Butler Yeats, age 35, 1900, painted by his father,
The poem “Marriage” from “Poems about Love”
The poem “Marriage” – part two A wedding group in Sicily, 2017 Here is the text of the poem, and
Publisher Saxon Books Returns
Publisher Saxon Books Returns Popular and long established war poetry anthologies are not only back on sale again, but for
Love in three plant pics and a poem, The last train
Love in three plant pics and a poem, The last train We are currently plant-sitting for friends who have gone
The poem “Marriage” from “Poems about Love”
The poem “Marriage” from “Poems about Love” Here is the text of the poem, and the first of a series
Love poems – subtle change of title
Love poems – subtle change of title Published as How could you know? – Poems about love, it is now
Love Poems – insights into the poems
Poems and life – the stories behind the poems 1B The book: Poems about love – How could you know?.
Promoting poetry – a good idea being developed in Shoreham
Marilyn Stafford, distinguished photographer Promoting poetry – a good idea being developed in Shoreham The basic idea is to present
Poem for Northern Ireland
Stormont Parliament building where the politicians have been refusing to meet for 18 months to govern Northern Ireland. A Poem
Love Poetry Extraordinaire
LOVE POETRY EXTRAORDINAIRE I believe that many people may find a lot to relate to, argue about and be moved