Life Experience
Mike Hatchard wowed his audience at The Steyning Centre, UK, on Saturday 14 March 2026. A very relaxed Mike Hatchard introduced his varied programme of jazz and classical piano pieces
Love is its own reward Some people stand apart, have no need of status, recognition, or the world’s approval. They have risen above the need for love or lovers because
When I painted Mona Lisa When I painted Mona Lisa I didn’t do it to please her, I’d like you to know. You see, Lisa had been my cleaner
A poem expressing the seldom heard idea that the voice of terrorists should be heard and that terrorists sometimes operate in a good cause or even a life and death
Singer Julie Roberts in Mike Hatchard’s famous JAZZ BREAKFAST in Shoreham. Now upstairs in The Shoreham Centre. Four jazz musicians delivering a wonderful show. Sunday March 2nd 11.00am to 1.00pm
With Valentine’s messages, or any message of romantic love, it’s so easy to be sugary and cliched.That’s why I thought I’d try something different with Apple Strudel.The English expression, “the
The tiny island This sheetof white tissue paperreminds me of the seathat day.Hardly a whisper.Almost still. And the tiny islanduninhabited. And the sun rising higherand our boathauled onto the beach
If you like drawing you may be interested in, or even inspired by, a rare opportunity to see drawings of renaissance masters in London. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and
Hurst Village Cinema – another brilliant film – The Taste of ThingsDirected by Tran Anh Hung, starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel The film was fascinating but to recount the
Words are falling on Gaza Introduction 2004 This poem written in 2009 is tragically relevant to today’s Israeli onslaught on Gaza (October 2024). The facts of the 2009 22 day
I was very sorry to hear of the death of Herbie Flowers on 5 September 2024. He will be missed by the hundreds of musicians who worked with him, the
I’ve been publishing war poetry books for over 25 years, especially anthologies of First World War poetry. Two have been particularly successful – Minds at War and Out in the
Love poem in a time of scientific medical advance I used to sayDarling, we will never part.So long as I liveyou will remainclose to my heart. But now I say,Darling,
With Valentine’s messages, or any message of romantic love, it’s so easy to be sugary and cliched. That’s why I thought I’d try something different with Apple Strudel. The English
David Hockney self portrait, one of a large number of portraits and self portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, London, January 2024. Click a picture to see enlarged view. Sadly
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 behind all this football excitement? Netflix has recently brought out
Know someone interested in war poetry? A range of popular books at exceptional prices. Great Christmas presents. I’ve been publishing war poetry for over twenty-five years and running a war
There Will Be Peace There will be peace: when attitudes change; when self-interest is seen as part of common interest; when old wrongs, old scores, old mistakes are deleted from
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 great singers of the 20th
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 Love is based on personal
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 for an eye”. The idea
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 take action to achieve happier
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 media and general public’s perception
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, with Bobby Worth on drums
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 the river, a licensed bar
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 20 years Paul has made
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 lawn was squelchy underfoot. We lay
Fifty kinds of love – introduction Fifty kinds of love is the longest poem in Poems about love. It is full of ideas and observations – some serious, some appearing to
W B Yeats, Never Give All The Heart, poem analysis William Butler Yeats, age 35, 1900, painted by his father, John Butler Yeats Never give all the heart 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 of comments on the ideas
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 offered at big discounts. For
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 plants we have been entrusted
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 on the ideas behind poems
Love poems – subtle change of title Published as How could you know? – Poems about love, it is now Poems about love – How could you know? Why the
Poems and life – the stories behind the poems 1B The book: Poems about love – How could you know?. The story behind the poems Poem One (B), Marriage That
Marilyn Stafford, distinguished photographer Promoting poetry – a good idea being developed in Shoreham The basic idea is to present a poem, by a local author, on a display board
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 Sadly I see your future:supervised
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 new book. Poems about love,
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 Message from Tony Blair to
Poem – Love is its own reward A poem for NHS workers and everyone in caring professions who go on caring for others, even though they don’t receive the recognition
My new book How could you know? – Poems about love Love experienced, love observed, love examined from different angles, love in the context of human life in all its
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 LP well over 50 years
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 BBC2 documentary which can now
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 events: More info at
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. Duncan Lamont saxophone and flute,
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 the event – poetry often
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 been climate change. Today we
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 to the music, Finlandia, by Jean
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 Ancient Greek tradition of carrying
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 with men, work and other
Welcome return of that positive, inspiring and cheerful programme about a couple raising 1000 sheep and nine children – OUR YORKSHIRE FARM. New series. 9pm Tuesday 5 October 2021, Channel
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 going to see Joe Stilgoe
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 be interested in sheep farming
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 chromecast but there are other
Montalbano – last ever book and film Have we seen the last of Montalbano? One episode has not been shown on British television. This episode is called Beloved Salvo, My
All About Montalbano – the international TV and literary hit Montalbano and The Young Montalbano Montalbano and The Young Montalbano are two crime series set in Sicily.They have enjoyed huge
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 Hemingway. Hemingway was one of
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 able to see and hear
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. The exhibition was at the
Born in 1942, I now have time to enjoy life more widely and reflect on my experience, interests, and contemporary events.
