CORPORATE KINDNESS: Jane Cable shares the second in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Jane Cable

Author and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the second in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest in aid of Words for the Wounded. Last month the all-important dates and speakers were organised (17-18^th October, Elizabeth Buchan and Margaret Graham) but what about venues… and sponsors… and publicity…

Christopher Joyce, chief Chindi and my co-conspirator in this crazy venture, has gone into overdrive with his contact book. Not a native of Chichester by any means, in the relatively short time he’s lived in the area I think he must have met – and charmed – everyone. And as a result he has three venues for three events sorted.

The one that I was supposed to organise fell flat on its face. Chichester Library, normally our best venue for anything and biggest supporter all around, was unable to host the planned bookish treasure hunt because it’s in aid of charity. West Sussex County Council policy. So we’ve quietly let that one drop.

In the meantime Chris has persuaded Woodies Brasserie in the city centre to close its restaurant to the paying public on a Saturday lunchtime, no less, and put on a special buffet at a cost which allows a generous £7 donation out of each £25 ticket sold. Luckily I have been able to contribute something as their wine merchants, Mason & Mason, are good friends of mine and they are donating a glass of something deliciously organic for every guest.

Chris has also been twisting arms at his local, The Park Tavern, and they’ve given us the run of the place on Saturday evening to shake buckets and sell raffle tickets. And the raffle prizes… so far our top catches are a £60 voucher for a tasting from Hampshire Wine School, a £150 voucher from author Claire Dyer for her Fresh Eyes manuscript review service and a hair cut from Benjamin James Hair Vision. Recovery on Sunday morning is being hosted by Carluccios who again are giving us a fixed price package for our bookswap breakfast which allows a £5 donation from each £15 ticket.

Last but not least Chris has twisted arms at Chichester Design to put together a wonderful leaflet. I’ve been able to get a decent price for the printing but we still need a sponsor so if anyone has a spare £90…? Please…?

But at the end of the day it isn’t entirely down to Chris’s charm and advanced persuasion techniques that businesses have been so generous – it’s a great deal to do with the charity. People simply want to help those who’ve suffered through putting their lives on the line in the name of duty. I had a sharp reminder of some of the issues recently when, as part of my research for the novel I’m currently writing, I met an ex-serviceman who’d served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. I wanted to know what combat was really like from someone who’d been there. I wish I hadn’t had to ask. We don’t know what those brave men and women have gone through; we can’t even begin to imagine it. All we can hope to do is help.

Learn more about…
Words for the Wounded: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
Chindi Authors: www.chindi-authors.co.uk
Woodies Brasserie: www.woodiesbrasserie.com
The Park Tavern: www.parktavernchichester.co.uk
Carluccios Chichester: www.carluccios.com/restaurants/chichester
Chichester Design: www.chichesterdesign.co.uk
Christopher Joyce: www.creaturesofchichester.com
Jane Cable: www.janecable.com

The Play What I Read By Paul Vates

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Frost Magazine was intrigued to know where Paul Vates was in his attempts to stage a production of A Doll’s House with New Dreams Theatre. So, over to Paul.

You may recall, from a previous article, how I read many different versions of Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, all in order to stage just the right production in London at Barons Court Theatre later this year with New Dreams Theatre.

After numerous meetings, (in a variety of drinking establishments), the director, Kevin Russell, honed in on one particular version. He applied for the performing rights and to our surprise received a positive response – but with a request that we first supply a pack consisting of our CVs, reviews from previous shows and a reference from the manager of the Barons Court Theatre, W14 9HP, the venue we had pre-booked 3^rd to 22^nd November. There followed a dramatic pause of Pinteresque proportion before we secured the rights to perform Bryony Lavery’s version.

A bit of a coup for us, as this will be the London première of her script. She is a very popular and multi-award-winning playwright, with plays such as Frozen, Stockholm and last year’s National Theatre production of Treasure Island to her name.

While twiddling our thumbs, we chose the cover image for the posters and flyers. When one is creating an image there are a few options available: design it yourself; get a designer to do it; choose an existing picture and pay for the rights; or, as we did, trawl through hundreds of pictures on photo library websites.

‘It has to reflect,’ Kevin said, sipping his lager, ‘what I want to bring to the production and be something that grabs the attention from across a crowded room.’

He tore open the sea salt and balsamic vinegar crisps and placed them in-between us as we agreed to focus on Nora’s dilemma.

‘As the protagonist of the story,’ he continued, ‘Nora is trapped both by her physical and psychological barriers. Her panic and self-doubt builds throughout the play.’

Could this be captured in one image?

‘She fears losing everything she knows and is trapped by a note lying in the locked letterbox by the door.’ He smiled and crunched another crisp.

We chose this dramatic picture – what do you think?

The technical crew have also been assembled. Ben Cowan, whose credits include BBC TV Dramas, is composing the original music score – the production designer is one of Cameron Mackintosh’s newest: the superbly imaginative Katie Murray-Unsworth – and Roman Berry is choreographer.

Attention has since turned to the actors. Kevin posted up an advert on trade websites and arranged a free day with the theatre to hold auditions – firstly for the part of Nora.

‘The whole play rests on her shoulders, so it is important to get this casting right.’

I receive daily texts from him as he declares how many applications he has received; now he has the mind-boggling task of whittling the (at time of writing 180 actresses) down to a manageable dozen or so.

These ladies will be invited to audition for us at the end of August. I will write more about this process and the audition day itself in a few weeks.

See A Doll’s House at Barons Court Theatre, 28a Comeragh Rd, London W14 9HP 3^rd – 22^nd November Tickets are already selling, too. Reservations can be made by phone (020 8932 4747) or by email (londontheatre@gmail.com)

www.newdreamstheatre.co.uk

Facebook: New Dreams Theatre / Twitter @KevinNewdreams

Animal Tales At The British Library

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

(Doty & Waterson’s aquatint etching & letterpress edition of A Swarm, A Flock, A Host on display in Animal Tales.

Courtesy of the artist & DC Moore Gallery, New York)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

Richly illustrated editions of traditional tales that will appeal to adults and children alike…
From the earliest marks made by humans in caves to our social media obsession with cats, animals have been enduring media stars throughout the ages.

Encompassing symbols of the sacred and the profane, the wild and the domesticated, they both feed our imagination and help us to make sense of the world around us.

No surprise, then, that they have been inspiring writers, poets, scientists and artists through the ages.

Perfectly timed for the school holidays, both adults and children alike will enjoy this new exhibition in the foyer of the British Library.

The show explores why animals have come to play such an important role in literature.

Visitors will be entranced at the richly illustrated editions of traditional tales from Anansi to Little Red Riding Hood.

There’s even an accompanying soundscape with poems by Mark Doty and Darren Waterston.

THE BRITISH LIBRARY
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
+44 (0)1937 546060

A Day In The Life By Fiona Rule

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

“Woke up, got out of bed,

Dragged a comb across my head.

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup….”

That is where the similarities end between my Day In The Life and Paul McCartney’s. While he sped off in search of a bus, I fire up my computer and peruse the latest crop of emails before getting down to the work that takes up most of my time – research.

Today, I am looking into the history of Hunsdon House – a spectacularly ancient property in rural Hertfordshire for a private client. My work takes me all over the place and this morning’s destination is the archives at County Hall in Hertford. County and Borough archives are wonderful treasure troves and are open to anyone, free of charge – all you need is proof of ID. However, many are seriously underfunded and some archives I’ve visited are little more than filing rooms. Its a shame that Council finance officers seem so disinterested in their area’s heritage. Nevertheless, Hertford Archives is better equipped than most and I soon find a wealth of deeds and articles on Hunsdon House along with my favourite kind of document – maps.

Since the Babylonians carved a map of the world on a piece of stone back in the 6^th century BCE, maps have told us far more than a book ever could because they put everything in visual context. For instance, Andrew Dury’s map of Hertfordshire, drawn up in the 1760’s tells me at a glance that at the time, Hunsdon House was the seat of Nicolson Calvert and it was set in elegantly landscaped grounds, with a patchwork of rural fields beyond. Now I have a name, I can find out more about the family.

By cross referencing the maps with deeds and other documents, I manage to piece together a timeline for Hunsdon House and its various occupants over the centuries. This forms the framework onto which I can build a more complete story through online research once I return to the office. I’ve found that this modus operandi works for any size of project, be it the history of one house or an entire area.

However, before I return to London, I have one final stop to make. I’ve arranged to meet a friend at a local pub to show her a copy of my new, “big” book – Streets of Sin, which is just about to be published. My books are a bit like children – I’m proud of them despite their flaws and I like to talk about them! Thus, I’m excited to show her this “hot off the press” copy. Thankfully, the reaction is positive and I wend my way home to face the biggest challenge of the day – to stop thinking about research and turn my attentions to more mundane, domestic matters. This can be terrifically hard, especially if I have uncovered something particularly tantalising. I wonder if Paul McCartney has the same problem when he’s writing songs?

Streets of Sin – A Dark Biography of Notting Hill by Fiona Rule Book Review

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Think Notting Hill, the film, then wonder about Notting Hill, the place. Historian Fiona Rule has all the answers in her latest book, Streets of Sin. Rule has researched her subject meticulously, and presents it in a way that is accessible, and fascinating.

She takes us through the area, much as she does in one of her walks, tracing Notting Hill from its beginnings in the mid 1700s to the present. It began as a small rural community, some half an hour’s walk from the edge of the metropolis, and that half an hour was to be crucial in the initial failure of Notting Hill as a money spinning residential area for its developer. It was just too far from the centre to work as well as Marylebone or any of the closer developments.

Rule lifts the layers of Notting Hill’s history, revealing dreams gone wrong, broken people, piggeries, Rachman, the Profumo affair, and London’s first race riots. Add a dollop of characters such as the murderer Christie, and the musician, Hendrix, give it a good stir, and here you have, ladies and gentlemen – Notting Hill.

I found Streets of Sin unputdownable. OK, my own research as an author leads me to devour anything historical, but walk these streets, put places to names, see what’s under the surface and you’ll be hooked. It is an easy read, an informative read. I loved it.

About the author: London-based historian, researcher and bestselling author Fiona Rule is widely respected as a specialist in the history of the capital and the Victorian era. She has appeared as an expert on several radio and television programmes including BBC London’s Breakfast Show and The Robert Elms Show, Find My Past and The Great British Story with Peter Snow. Her previous critically acclaimed historical titles include The Worst Street In London (Ian Allan 2008, reprinted 2009, 2010, 2012) London’s Docklands (Ian Allan 2009) and London’s Labyrinth (Ian Allan 2012).

Streets of Sin: A Dark Biography of Notting Hill by Fiona Rule (published by History Press 8th August RRP £17.99 hardback) is available to purchase online and at all good book retailers. For more information please visit www.fionarule.com or follow her @Fiona_Rule

Flash Fiction: A Cuckoo in the Nest by Author Jane Carling

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Sitting at the back of the Crematorium, the handcuffs that bound her to two prison guards chaffed Josie’s wrists. She watched her husband’s coffin being carried to its final resting place to ‘I did it my Way’. Only one wreath adorned the casket, red roses, like his blood.

Rachel Hunt, dressed in a black, sat alone in the front pew, where Josie should have been.

How had it happened? They tell me I killed him, but I can’t remember.

It was last May, when spring hailed the first call of the cuckoo, that Rachel had returned from the Costa del Crime in the guise of a deadly blonde, now calling herself Samantha. That’s when the friend requests on Facebook began, and it took a while for Josie to realize from the profile that Samantha was actually Rachel, or rats’ tails as she was known in school.

Out of curiosity Josie clicked the accept button, a click she would live to regret.

“Why the new name?” Josie replied. A few minutes later messenger popped up. “I’m a widow and want a new way of life in the countryside, a whole new beginning. Don’t you ever want to reinvent yourself?”

Josie pondered, “Why would I? I must go, Roger’s favourite risotto is ready, will talk soon. Stay in touch.”

As the service continued Josie clenched her fists. The handcuffs rattled. I should have known better, she thought, and so should Roger. He was a successful businessman, for goodness sake, so how could he have been taken in by this woman? Had he always wanted a blonde in his life, was that it?

She winced as she remembered the simpering. “Oh Roger you are so clever, oh Roger, you are so witty. Oh Roger…”

Then the texts. “Good night my love, good morning darling, and laters babe…” Laters babe? Oh perlease. The lights reflected off her handcuffs. She should have checked his mobile sooner. Josie bit her lip. She recalled Roger’s denials and accusations when she’d confronted him. He’d argued that it was all in Rachel’s head, totally one-sided and that he loved her, Josie. Oh Roger what a big dick you were.

There was a draught as the door opened and the detective in charge sat down behind her. Now what? Can’t I just have today? He whispered to one of the guards and as the vicar signaled for the curtains to begin be closed. Her cuffs were released and Stairway to Heaven began playing. Confused, Josie rubbed her wrists. ‘You’re free,’ whispered the guard. She placed her head in her hands as the curtains began to close and wept.

Rachel was hurrying out before the curtains closed. Too late though. She was arrested and bundled into a police car. The detective waited until Josie had composed herself, then explained that formerly undiscovered CCTV footage had captured a blonde at scene of the crime, wielding the knife. It was Rachel Pratt, hustler, renowned con-woman and now a murderer. Josie was free to go.

Later, sitting in her garden watching kites soar into the deep red sky as the sun set over the Chiltern Hills, images of that fateful day finally returned. Roger had stepped in front of the blade that was not meant for him. Her husband had saved her life.

The distant call of a cuckoo broke the silence.

Jane Carling 2015 ©
www.janecarling.co.uk

Naming The Day: Jane Cable On Organising a Charity Litfest

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Jane Cable

Author and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the first in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest

“This is fabulous” said my fellow Chindi author Christopher Joyce, reading about the Words for the Wounded grannies’ latest exploit. “Let’s do something to support them.”
I was so pleased. “Perhaps an event?” I suggested.
“Yes – we’ll have a litfest.”
Nothing if not ambitious, is Mr Joyce.

First, let me explain about Chindi; we are group of indie authors from the Chichester area who work together to share information on best practice in publishing and to promote our books. Christopher Joyce, a children’s author, is one of our founders, our chairman and all round powerhouse. And when he sees a great cause like Words for the Wounded, he can’t help himself but get stuck in.

When we put the idea of holding an event to raise funds for the charity to one of our monthly meetings most people supported it so we agreed to go ahead. But our calendar was already crowded with a series of Saturday morning workshops over the spring and summer and two events as part of the Festival of Chichester in June, so it had to be in the autumn. Plenty of time to arrange things then.

The only person I know with more energy than Chris is Words for the Wounded chief grannie and Frost contributing editor, Margaret Graham. I sometimes worry about what will happen when we get them in the same room. But for the litfest, even Margaret exercised words of caution; Chris was planning a whole weekend – she thought perhaps a day would be fine.

We sketched out ideas of a structure and in the end compromised on a full day on the Saturday and a Sunday breakfast. Margaret would give a morning talk, then lunch with a keynote speaker, a family bookish treasure hunt in the afternoon and an informal fundraiser in a pub in the evening. Rounded off by a book-swap breakfast to nurse our hangovers.

For a while we suffered from chicken and egg syndrome; we had the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ – but should we now focus on the ‘who’, the ‘when’ or the ‘where’? Realistically it had to be when so we narrowed it down to a couple of dates when Margaret and her right hand woman Jan could make it.

Next was who: – we had Margaret, of course, but really wanted another writer as a keynote speaker. Once again we turned to Margaret – having read Words for the Wounded’s impressive list of literary patrons – and she suggested Elizabeth Buchan. I have to admit I was nervous emailing such a superstar of the writing world but I received an almost immediate reply – she would be honoured to help out, but she could only make one of the dates – 17^th October.

So there you have it… save the day if you’re anywhere near the Chichester area – 17^th & 18^th October, Chindi’s Words for the Wounded Litfest.

But have we left ourselves too much to organise in too little time? Find out, dear reader, next month.

Learn more about…
Words for the Wounded: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
Chindi Authors: www.chindi-authors.co.uk
Margaret Graham: www.margaret-graham.com
Elizabeth Buchan: www.elizabethbuchan.com
Christopher Joyce: www.creaturesofchichester.com
Jane Cable: www.janecable.com

Ross Mabey Poet And Song-writer By Margaret Graham

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Ross Mabey is 72 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in November 2005. He was living in London UK for 15 years before returning to Australia in June 2014 accompanied by his wife Linda. Their son Jonathon, 28 years old, returned to Australia in 2012. During his working life Ross was employed in various roles in the Telecommunications industry in Australia and later in the UK. His interests include writing poetry, lyrics for songs and family history. He is also interested in researching to help find a cure for PD.

We published his feature on his work, and life a few days ago, with a promise of his poetry, and song-writing. Here it is. Enjoy.

Poetry, A Song Of Life.

Poetry is a very personal thing,

That can lift your heart and make it sing.

Its rhythms can have a beat, like a song,

That makes you move your feet.

Or, it can be an intellectual panacea,

For those who seek life’s perfections,

Expressed in words of structured verse.

Which soothe the ripples, of this Universe.

Or, it can be a song of life,

That speaks of truth, love, joy, toil and strife.

Whatever, captures your imagination,

It can be the emotion, that adds to the tapestry of life.

Whatever appeals to your Universe,

Is hidden in words, rhymes and verse.

Their potency is felt by those,

Who feel the need to write, in anything but prose.

Song lyric – Montana Mountains.

By Ross Mabey and Jeffrey Ullsperger.

Verse #1

Montana Mountains, your son has come home,

Through majestic forests and valleys I now roam.

I look upon your mighty peak’s, towering above,

Their grandeur is what I can’t help but love.

Chorus

Montana Mountains, reaching for the sky,

Take me to a special place,

To nature’s perfect high.

You’re beauty captures my heart,

I will be yours faithfully.

So Montana Mountains won’t you,

Please speak to me.

Verse #2

By the campfire’s glow, at night all alone,

I am comforted knowing you’re part of my soul.

Surrounded by your beauty, every night and day,

The sun, the moon and stars do light my way.

Chorus

Montana Mountains, reaching for the sky,

Take me to a special place,

To nature’s perfect high.

You’re beauty captures my heart,

I will be yours faithfully.

So Montana Mountains won’t you,

Please speak to me.

Bridge

When I die one day,

And home is Heaven above.

I’ll ask for a room with a view,

Of the mountains that I love.

Instrumental

Chorus

Montana Mountains, reaching for the sky,

Take me to a special place,

To nature’s perfect high.

You’re beauty captures my heart,

I will be yours faithfully.

So Montana Mountains won’t you,

Please speak to me.

Montana Mountains won’t you,

Please speak to me.

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Category Archives: Writing

CORPORATE KINDNESS: Jane Cable shares the second in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest

The Play What I Read By Paul Vates

Animal Tales At The British Library

A Day In The Life By Fiona Rule

Streets of Sin – A Dark Biography of Notting Hill by Fiona Rule Book Review

Flash Fiction: A Cuckoo in the Nest by Author Jane Carling

Naming The Day: Jane Cable On Organising a Charity Litfest

Ross Mabey Poet And Song-writer By Margaret Graham