THE
WORD
Issue #57, Mid March Edition 2021
FREE!
A - RTS WORD special pages inside
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER thewordmedia.org
DEMOCRACY?
Equality Democracy Truth Courage
Alexei Navalny - Russia
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe - Iran
Julian Assange - England
RUSSIA JAILED NAVALNY A NEOFASCIST FOR EMBEZZLEMENT: IRAN JAILED NAZANIN FOR 5 YEARS FOR ‘SPYING’: ASSANGE HAS SPENT YEARS IN A UK PRISON CONVICTED OF NOTHING
OUTRAGE: Patsy Stevenson arrested at the peaceful vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard held on Saturday PAGE 2
THE
WORD
2
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
HOME SECRETARY AND MAYOR CRITICISED MET COMMISSIONER
TOP COP DEFIES CRITICS CALL TO RESIGN
A
n independent inquiry has been ordered after Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, criticised Metropolitan police commissioner Cressida Dick for the unsatisfactory explanation why police broke up a vigil in Clapham Common, London, on Saturday.
The mayor said he had asked and received assurances from the Met last week that the vigil would be policed sensitively. Khan, a former human rights lawyer, said these assurances had not been kept, adding that the scenes on Clapham Common were “completely MET unacceptable”.
POLICE
ASSURANCES The police chief dismissed her gathered on HAD NOT “armchair” critics Sunday to protest BEEN KEPT amid widespread against police outrage over officers’ and for the right of manhandling women women to feel safe on who met to mourn the killing the streets. of Sarah Everard. They marched from the Met As the commissioner clung headquarters to Parliament to her job, demonstrators Square. This time, police stayed
back and allowed speeches and a vigil to go ahead. Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, criticised the police response as “deeply disturbing”. A government adviser on violence against women criticised the Met’s defence of its actions as being “from the
handbook of abusers”. Khan summoned Dick to
»
Police chief dismissed her “armchair” critics
City Hall to answer questions on Sunday, while Patel had demanded a report on the Clapham Common vigil, which her spokesperson said left “questions to be answered”. The Prime Minister and Patel later let it be known that Dick retained their confidence.
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
3
BEST OF THE WEB Moscow joins 5G club as ultrafast next-generation internet service arrives at some of the Russian capital’s most iconic spots. Moscowvites who spoke to Russia Today TV did not share the concerns of sceptics about the technology. Victor Belov,
president of technology at Russian telecom giant MTS, which is behind the pilot project, said making 5G available to the public is a “breakthrough” because “it is the only way we can make sure mobile networks keep developing,” . The new standard will allow mobile phone users to “watch videos in Ultra HD and even some newer formats.” People “won’t have any trouble doing a live-stream from a packed venue during a concert, even if everyone around is doing it,” he said. A truly autonomous transport system, t h a t
includes self-driven cars and delivery drones, will also only be able to function properly once 5G is widespread, Belov added.
The former editor of The Guardian has stepped down from a commission considering the future of Ireland’s media industry. Alan Rusbridger had faced calls to be removed from the role after revelations that his newspaper’s former media editor, Roy Greenslade, was supportive of the IRA. Máiría Cahill, who has alleged she was sexually abused at the age of 16 by an IRA man, had called on the Taoiseach (Eire’s prime minister) to reconsider Mr Rusbridger’s position on the body. Earlier this month, the Government decided that Mr Rusbridger should remain as part of the commission. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin said at the time that she raised the issue with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who in turn discussed the matter with the other coalition party leaders before they came to their decision. Four of Boris Johnson’s most senior staff suggested civil servants should hire a opinion polling company owned by Conservative party allies, one of whom cowrote the Tories’ 2019
THE WORD NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOUR HELP THE We are a non-profit making cooperative but still have our outgoing costs such as design, website hosting and software. Please help us maintain this left wing tabloid by going to our website at and subscribing. By joining together let us all fight back against the rich and powerful.
WORD
election manifesto. Within weeks of Johnson’s 2019 election victory, civil servants were recommended to hire Public First to research voter opinions on a key manifesto promise to “level up “ provincial towns. Dominic Cummings, James Slack, Lee Cain, and Munira Mirza, all suggested Public First be given government contracts. Mirza had just cowritten the manifesto with Rachel Wolf, who owns and runs Public First with her husband, James Frayne. Wolf has previously worked as an adviser to Johnson, Cummings and the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and has urged improving towns. Frayne has also previously worked alongside Cummings and Gove and has done extensive research on the politics of provincial towns and how the Conservatives could win working-class voters from Labour. Watchdog probes Met Police handling of Everard case suspect England’s police watchdog has launched an investigation into whether London police officers “responded appropriately” to a report of indecent exposure following referrals linked to the arrest of the suspect in the Sarah Everard case. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
said its inquiry follows a “conduct referral” from the Metropolitan Police in relation to two officers, which was received last night. This is linked to four other referrals, and all are connected to the arrest of the serving officer currently being held on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering 33-year-old Ms Everard and for a separate allegation of indecent exposure, the IOPC said. It said its investigation will look at the actions of police after they received a report on 28 February that “a man had exposed himself at a fast food restaurant in South London”. It added: “Yesterday we determined that two conduct referrals relating to kidnap/murder and indecent exposure allegations against the arrested officer should remain under local investigation by the force. “We are still assessing a mandatory referral in relation to the actions of police after they received a report that Sarah Everard was missing.” The IOPC said a fifth mandatory referral was received from the force today “in relation to police contact with the arrested officer who was treated in hospital after sustaining a head injury while in custody yesterday afternoon”. “That referral is also being assessed to determine what further action may be required from us,” the watchdog added.
THE
WORD
4
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
A VIDEO SAVED HIS LIFE IN A VICIOUS LA POLICE BEATING
THE BRUTAL BEATING OF RODNEY KING
O
n the 15th of March 1991 in Los Angeles, Four Police Officers were charged with Felony and other offences.
George Holliday tried to show the police his video, but they were not interested
George Holliday sold his video to a TV station and it was shown everywhere. Rodney King believes the video saved his life.
Going back now to the 3rd of March 1991. Rodney King, a construction worker, had been speeding on the Freeway and was being chased by the Police. King had been drinking and was also on probation for robbery so did not want to be stopped by the police. Eventually Rodney did stop, he pulled over in front of a block of flats where a George Holliday lived. Due the loud commotion George was awakened and took his video camera and started recoding from his balcony what was going on. King was ordered out of his car and onto the ground. There were a number of Police around him of which most of them were white. Four of them proceeded to beat and kick him while the others looked on. On release from Police custody after the charges against him were dropped. King had a broken leg, his face had fractured bone and was badly cut and swollen, he also had a burn mark on his chest where he had been tassered with
»
injuries and over 9500 arrests. The rioting continued until the 4th of May 1992. Properties were damaged and bunt down.
50,000 volts. In a negligence case that Rodney King took against the police, he alleged he had suffered emotional and physical trauma, 11 skull fractures,
permanent brain damage, kidney failure and broken bones and teeth.
THE JURY WAS ALL WHITE, BAR TWO. NOT ONE WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN
King was ordered out of his car and on to the ground. There were a number of police around him and four of them proceeded to beat and kick him
Fast forward a year to the 29th of April 1992. The end of the trial. The jury found the four Police officersLaurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno and Sgt Stacey Koon not guilty. The jury was all white, bar two. Not one was an African American. Rodney King was African
American and the Police were white. Within hours of the verdict, there were wide scale riots where there were over 50 deaths, over 2 0 0 0
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
5
I WANT TO LIVE WHERE GENDER ISSUES ARE IRRELEVANT
FEMINISM et al
T
he year was 1974, the gender equality I was asked year that the 1970 Equal to help them write a GCSE in Pay Act was due to Women’s Studies. I simply come into force. I was asked provided a framework and to write about it for a nation- what they produced was, I wide curriculum project. thought, astoundingly good. My previous publications It was rejected. Why? Because had been as a student Government did not journalist and consider it to be a writer of national subject worthy of I AM 78 AND, exams. Wow, I study. thought, this FOR FAR TOO is good stuff, Only a LONG, I HAVE important. few years ago LIVED IN AN W h a t Nick Gibb, UNEQUAL difference has the Schools that Act made? Minister, tried SOCIETY to remove In the late 80s, Feminism from when every secondary the A-Level Politics school in Liverpool had syllabus. Worse, he a woman responsible for produced a list of political
thinkers that included only one woman. There had to be a campaign to stop him. Successful, t h a n k goodness.
I ask myself what might have been the effect had young boys and girls taken that proposed GCSE in Women’s Studies. I would love to have team-taught that in a mixed team.
I am not sure, partly because of the huge social disturbance it would cause if so many bus drivers, for example, had to stop w o r k i n g at 6 PM. But, whatever short term drastic action is taken, we simply must begin to think about our social values. Gender is not the only issue. Inequality comes in a variety of forms.
How do I make sense of what I read today about curfews for men and such like? Frankly,
I have, in the past, been somewhat nervous about using the term ‘intersectionality’
because its original use emphasised race, I think. But now I believe that its use can be broader. We can pass all the Acts of Parliament that we like but they only skim the surface. ‘Women’s Lib’ has to be ‘Society Lib’. Can men really be men only at the expense of women? What kind of man would want that? I am 78 and, for far too long, I have lived in an unequal society. Today the focus is upon women. But only when all are respected shall women be respected. Do I make sense? I really want to live in a society in which gender issues are irrelevant. Perhaps, then, race issues shall also be irrelevant. And class issues.
HISTORICAL EVENTS THIS WEEK 15th March 1928- Benito Mussoliniabolishes the right to chose and modifies the Italian electoral system 1974- In the UK, architect John Poulson and high ranking Scottish civil servant William George Pottinger were jailed for five years for corruption after bribing public figures to win contracts. 16th March 1965- In Toronto, Canada, scientist, Dr William K. Kerr is the first to find a biochemical link between cancer and cigarettes. Unlike others who only used statistics,
Kerr and his fellow scientists at Toronto’s Department of Surgery actually studied the effects of cigarette smoking on people. 2003- American 23 year old Rachel Corrie dies after being run over by a bulldozer in Gaza, as she tied to stop Israeli authorities from demolishing a Palestinian home. Rachel was there to protest at Israeli Operations. 17 March 1973- The St. Patrick’s Day marchers carry 14 coffins to commemorate the Bloody Sunday Massacre. 2003- Robin Cook MP th
resigns from the cabinet to attack Iraq. His speech was greeted with applause from Labour and Tory MPs. 18th March 1944- In Italy, the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupts, killing 26 people and forcing thousands to leave their homes. A large number of the Allied Bombers were also destroyed. 19th March 1895- Auguste and Louis Lumiere make a 50 second film of workers coming out of a factory. This was their first attempt and they were the earliest filmmakers in history.
2003Despite world opinion and without the United Nations support, America and Britain begin air strikes on Iraq. 20th March 1916Albert Einstein presents one of the most influential theories in Physics, his general theory of relativity 1852- Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is published. A famous antislavery Novel. 21st March 1960-In Sharpeville, near Johannesburg, the Afrikaner Police opened fire
with sub-machine guns on unarmed black South African demonstrators in the black township. 69 people were killed and 189 were wounded. 2009- Thousands take to the streets in Naples, Italy to protest against the Mafia. 2010Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to stop building new settlements despite diplomatic pressure from around the world. 22nd March 1903- Due to drought, the Niagara falls runs out of water. 1946Jordan gains independence from Britain.
THE
WORD
6
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
PLAN IS FOR POLICE TO DECIDE WHAT DEMOS ARE OK
GOVERNMENT new restrictions TO THE RIGHT TO PROTEST
Meghan has been treated differently Those of you who know me know I’m no fan of the royal family. It’s an anachronism that the monarch is the head of state and it needs sorting.
T
HE coronavirus as “a shameful attack on our pandemic has had way of life, our economy and an unprecedented the livelihoods of the hardimpact on our ability to take working majority”. to the streets. Now the Home Office is Patel has also busy preparing, condemned Black SO-CALLED in readiness Lives Matter for when ECO-CRUSADERS d e m o n s t r a t i o n s TURNED public health in 2020 – some of restrictions start the biggest seen in CRIMINALS to ease, to make recent years. sweeping changes to public order legislation Although protesters that will give the police extra took to streets that were largely powers to restrict future empty because of the pandemic protests.
to demand racial justice and most protests passed without incident, Patel characterised them as “dreadful” and demonised those who took part in them “hooligans and thugs”. The new Bill will increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage of a memorial – like the statue to Bristol slave trader Edward Colston toppled in June last year – from 3 months to 10 years.
This means I don’t bother with the royal tittle tattle normally. However, we really cannot stay silent on the treatment the only black member of the royal family is receiving. It has been there all along. It’s not a defensive rally to save the institution as it was when the media attacked Diana and then deified her after she died. No, from the get go Meghan has been treated differently. Little wonder they said sod it and went to live in the states. Meanwhile, Andrew has been implicated in a paedophile ring and he’s refusing to answer questions on the matter. White elite privilege with a lump of racist misogyny thrown in for good measure and it stinks. By Edward Hunter
By Andrew Wasting
Councillor resigns from the Labour Party
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill announced today includes plans to “strengthen police powers to tackle non-violent protests that have a significant disruptive effect on the public or on access to Parliament”.
Beckett steps in it
Home Secretary Priti Patel’s anger is aimed in particular at Extinction Rebellion and the rejuvenated Black Lives Matter movement. Last year she attacked Extinction Rebellion as “so-called eco-crusaders turned criminals” and denounced their direct action and civil disobedience tactics
NEC members have told SKWAWKBOX that Unite representative on the NEC, Howard Beckett (no relation), and others immediately demanded Margaret Beckett’s resignation. He also took his namesake to task for the use of such a gender-based insult in the week of International Women’s Day and pointed out that members have been suspended for saying far less.
She also hit out at the body who runs council elections – the Local Campaign Forum – for its ‘acceptance of an appallingly poor councillor application system’.
Others weighed in, despite attempts by Unison’s Wendy Nichols to shut the matter down. Acting general secretary David Evans has apparently conceded that at least two complaints against Ms Beckett were already in play and would be investigated.
Coun. McDonald said: “I have struggled with my social conscience since the new leadership of Starmer and Rayner lied their way into office by stating they would unite the Labour Party – nothing could be further from the truth.
»
Patel has condemned Black Lives Matter demonstrations
Margaret Beckett, the veteran Labour MP appointed by the right as chair in a ‘coup’ to prevent Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) having a leftwing chair, has this evening abused elected NEC member Laura Pidcock, calling her a ‘silly cow’.
The Labour right broke party practice and protocol to install Beckett – on the NEC at the gift of Keir Starmer – in place of the left-wing vicechair who had been due to take over. Ms Beckett has rendered her position – on the NEC at all, not just as chair – untenable
A Doncaster Labour councillor has resigned from the party in protest at Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership declaring the Party a bullying dictatorship Councillor Nikki McDonald, who was elected in 2017, stated a number of issues including the suspension of Labour members across the country along with the mass suspensions of branch chairs and secretaries for passing motions in support of former leader Jeremy Corbyn.
But she added the ‘final straw’ was the announcement by shadow defence secretary and Wentworth & Dearne MP, John Healy, that Labour’s support for keeping nuclear weapons in the UK is “nonnegotiable,”
By LABOUR HEARTLANDS READ MORE IN LABOUR HEARTLANDS
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
7
8
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
Visions for change I dont c dont c are, are! D ont believ e We ha what you sa v a chil e climbed y. d to s l ike tan where we sta d y..
hope, There is pe! In my ho there is pe. If ere is ho heart th h vision for ug just eno e given away. nb truth ca
e and a was releas y tr e o p t u B paint! freedom to eart live visions h h c a within e things. le ib d for incre reak for needs to b d e e s a e ik L creates; the roots it ds a seed ement nee Like a mov in.. beg we live to
In my ey es skies fro live the m my ea rliest years; w he was a pla n the world ce so yo ung and free !
And if w or comfort ds can bring to a sou l who like me; felt the end of truth by doomed liberty.
Then ca and th me the blea k e dark, l cold of the ike a s tone i wall, t na ha a hear t we grow f t. or
ut speak o y arise! a s , I e n g e n Th cha ned for be fashio ruth to a light rt turn you live by the ld u that wo flame. to and push and push, am; re d u o , as y find a way .. as you live ay e able to s b t s u you m ys.. of your da at the last
>>
Blowin’ in the Wind.. Where is the age of reason to raise our souls? ..I am stood singing in the street for a heart of gold. Have felt this city isolate my will like a cage; living day to day for rent by coin to exchange; but, a deeper sense trips me from the walls in my brain, when did my liberty fall to this state? I feel like a child underskin while my dreams float away.. the freedom of gaia too far to reach. We need a muse for the truth in the vein of T. Paine.. Liberty is not a flag or a product to buy, if built on the suffering back of a soul just like mine; it is a dream by the muse to find peace for each day, a universal income; to allow space for our dreams! As nature grows from the root so it is with life - a city of neglect bares the poverty of shame; only liberty for all can show a nation to be great - while everywhere we hear voices call for change.. while corporations conspire and TTIP crawls back.. but what price are we sold any choice - any word - if lies bury trust; I till my soil like a slave. So we walk with our eyes blinded to truth; still I have faith in something words cannot say, my heart hears what I have lost from the love of my day; float memories they speak.. I am an ear where they sleep. I call their name and by nature itself, such whisper awake. Their reason to live, now far beyond me - illusive on the wind; where the sky is an ocean to divine our dreams. and where life may find change by transformative waves.. I have stood in the dark by ghost and machine; on the edge looking in from the flow gravelled streams. This voice, just a sound to twist frequency - universal forever from limitless space; I call you back to me always.. to learn from the past, to be wise with our time; beloved, we must bridge the gap.
Find a stash of poetry and colour at the back of the mag!.. book reviews this week we take a quick look at a selection of page turners.
more .. For a little more art and poetry jump to pages 14 - 15 and beyond.
Hey that’s my line kid !!
That I was there! in the forge of the fray.. when we stood together - for peace and grace. I don’t care, I don’t care, we must find the words to say.. express in truth, for every soul that has lived; our vision for change.
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
EDITOR’S LETTER
G
reetings! A huge thank you to everyone who has found the time to contribute to our first issue!. So here we go.. To say it has been a stressful past few months would be an understatement for many of us; politically and emotionally I feel the wear and raggedy tear from my tip to my toes. Following these last few years of global Trumpism and more recently the pandemic - they do say “wish to live in eventful times” well now I am not so sure! We have a simple quest! the holy grail maybe.. or is it to create anything with the time that can find release and expression toward this human condition, to find a true voice for ourselves and each other as some may struggle to find the words.
I found my holy grail!
love
Contents >> Interview Pilar Viviante tells us why water is so important and why it inspires her art so much. See page 8
Guest editor & other bits - (me)
instagram.com/danielmansfieldartist
With thanks to our guest editor (yours truly) who worked tirelessly on every page as well as liaising with the writers and other creative contributors. Also a HUGE thanks to all the other awesome contributions we have had, for all the time and toil that goes into an arts magazine - all that would be meaningless without good writers. Please send in any entertainment articles you have to us at thewordmedia.org
ur Share yo
Into the wild
Fiona Gomez shares her watercolour wildlife skills alongside a few life secrets. See page 12
Creative Matthew Collings shows us his sketches which he is producing at an unstoppable pace. Pages 5 & 16
9
10
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
New Book!
thewordmedia.org
GOOD REASONS TO READ Benefits of Reading - Reading gives you stronger teeth! (if you read a book about good health)
- Reading Keeps Your Brain Healthy, (just don’t eat the book!)
- But Seriously Reading Reduces Stress!
Frank Herbert’s Dune
Yanis Varoufakis ANOTHER NOW is is a contribution by Yanis Varoufakis to a re-imagining of a post Covid world. Explaining his thinking he uses the phrase, ‘Capitalism isn’t working’ and presents an alternative. Never a boring or dry writer this time he adds fiction to his repertoire. Earlier work includes Adults in the Room (2017). Could you write a thriller of an account by a Finance Minister of negotiations on behalf of Greece with the European financial powers? Varoufakis did. And most of us might struggle to excite new and old readers of a piece of work published in 1848. Reading the introduction by Varoufakis to the Communist Manifesto was, for me, like being re-armed for a fight with capitalism. As a student, grappling with Marx’s footnotes and totally unaware of his poetry, I was frustrated that Marx said so little about what a Communist Heaven would be like. ANOTHER NOW gives us some idea. Yanis Varoufakis is known for his fondness for Star Trek. We might sum up his new book, even his entire career, as ‘Boldly going where few have gone before’. - Cliff Jones
PAGE TURNERS >>
So there’s this new film out called Dune, it’s no big thing! - just the most cosmic/psychedelic Science Fiction series of all time. Here’s the deal; you have to read the books! Oh no you say, I have no time.. I hear you. If your stuck for time try the audio book versions, just prepare yourself for an engrossing critique on the western hero narrative. So I do hope you enjoy the film if you go to see it, but do remember books are best.
- Also Helps You Sleep Better - Reading is a way to escape your own life, and can take you to faraway lands, other times, and put you in other people’s shoes.
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning is the moving follow-up to Laurie Lee’s acclaimed Cider with Rosie.
How to be free
If you’ve ever wondered why you bother to go to work, or why so much consumer culture is crap! Then this book is for you. Looking to history, literature and philosophy for inspiration, Tom Hodgkinson provides a blueprint for a simpler way of life. Filled with practical tips as well as inspiring reflections, here you can learn how to throw off the shackles of anxiety, debt, housework, supermarkets, waste and much else besides.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo a beautiful story by Christy Lefteri
The Man Who Fell to Earth immense in scope by Walter Tevis
Abandoning the Cotswolds village that raised him, the young Laurie Lee walks to London. There he makes a living labouring and playing the violin. But, deciding to travel further a field and knowing only the Spanish phrase for ‘Will you please give me a glass of water?’, he heads for Spain. With just a blanket to sleep under and his trusty violin, he spends a year crossing Spain, from Vigo in the north to the southern coast. Only the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War puts an end to his extraordinary peregrinations.
Beloved selected poems by Toni Morrison
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
11
OUR FAVOURITE ART CRITIC TURNS ON THE SATIRE
Matthew Collings Matthew Collings is a British art critic, writer, broadcaster, and artist. Life is tough being a prolific creative but Matt has taken some time recently to turn ultra artsy, to build-up a large following on social media. See his latest amazing drawings and arts on instagram here. instagram.com/matthew.collings
Matt’s sketch inspired by Nelson Mandela (left).
TIPS FOR A CREATIVE WEEK!
- Draw, paint, doodle, watercolour, sing & dance - Do something physical - get your energy flowing - Embrace boredom if it can help you create - Watch a TED talk or listen to a podcast - Generate more ideas than you think you need - Make time for play
Marcus Rashford sketch inspired by Oliver Twist - or just this UK government (far left).
Marcus Rashford MBE leads the way where politicians continue to flop and flounder!
Following the #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign led by MarcusRashford MBE, the Government finally, draggingly stepped in with a fund package to help alleviate child food poverty. The campaign shows the way to change government policy is not the think tanks who advise out of touch politicians, it’s not a Downing Street advisor who has
the PM’s twisted ear to lecture about the causes of poverty. It doesn’t even seem to be mass protests through the streets of London (as not covered or misrepresented by the mainstream). Nor even it seems the head teachers of affected schools or teacher Unions who report straight from the front line, how up to 40% of kids in some areas live in a household with no access to a washing machine or even a toaster! It does not even seem to be an election or a manifesto laden with boasts the size of
the Titanic, and lies the width of a iceberg bobbing in our direction with the words ‘disaster’ carved into its ice cold shards. It is in fact a footballer with the guts to tell it like it is! To take a stand for those less able than him, and to take all the flack that was directed at him from unfriendly (out of touch) elements of the press. Taking a stand for all the kids and families out there living through the economic stupidity of this decade of conservative inspired austerity.
12
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
NEWS FLASH!
thewordmedia.org
MOVIES TO BUY ON DVD Finding Jack Charlton The definitive portrait of an English World Cup legend, who became an Irish hero. The film also details Jack’s previously undocumented life with dementia.
Dark Waters Chlopi The Peasants Currently in the making, directed by Dorota Kobiela, the artwork for the new adaptation of Władysław Reymont’s masterpiece Chłopi looks stunning! With thousands of handpainted frames, this animation hopes to be an amazing follow up to Kobiela’s award winning film “Loving Vincent”, which stuns me every-time I watch it, it’s like living inside the paintings. “After years of working on a film about Vincent van Gogh, I felt a strong need to talk about women: their struggle, passion and strength,” said Kobiela, whose new film centres on the character of a young woman called Jagna. Set to première in 2022; well they do have 6000+ paintings to do!.. For all I hope they get done sooner! But if your appetite has been warmed for some art based animation you must check out Kobiela’s other arty films (image aside).
Starring Mark Ruffalo, Dark Waters tells the real life story of the lawyer Robert Bilott, who has just been made partner at a high-profile law firm specialising in defending huge chemical companies from environmental lawsuits. In a twist of fate Robert gets pulled into an epic legal battle with the same corporations he used to protect. As gritty as it gets, this film stunned me to silence from beginning to end.
Audrey She was beautiful, talented, compassionate and graceful but no words seem to fully capture her spirit. All the best fairy tales contain transformation, and Audrey’s story is no exception. Green Book Set in America in 1962, Green Book tells the heart-warming true story of Tony Lip, a workingclass bouncer who takes on a job as a chauffeur for Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class Black pianist. Hurricane The heroic story of the many Polish fliers who fought tirelessly during the Battle of Britain. These brave men; driven across Europe by war, finally made their last stand.
Vice
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Vice tracks Dick Cheney’s ‘under the radar’ rise from bureaucratic Washington insider to the most powerful man in the world as vice president to George W. Bush. In a period of history many of us still keenly recall - we relive the events of 9/11 and the follow up wars in the middle east, as seen through the eyes of Dick as he bulldozes through the US constitution. Strangely billed as a comedy, I would say it is anything but! And think it instead an education for all.
Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in a story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a reallife friendship between Fred Rogers and Tom Junod. Official Secrets She risked everything to stop an unjust war. Her government called her a traitor. Based on world-shaking true events, Official Secrets tells the gripping story of Katharine Gun.
Online Audiobook
TED Talks
Visit this link to hear the best YouTube version of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Short and sweet talks for your mind on any given topic, from quick and cheerful to the deeply personal.
thewordmedia.org/robert-tressell
youtube.com/c/TED
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
13
TOP WATCH ON NETFLIX
The Midnight Gospel
The Queen’s Gambit
In the simulations, he interviews people on topics ranging from spirituality, the theory that we’re all living in a computer simulator, drug use and death positivity. With utterly surreal visuals that will utterly mess with your head as your ears drink in the character’s profound commentaries on life and death.
Anya Taylor-Joy is sublime in the main role of Elizabeth Harmon, she portrays the character’s development from teen prodigy into adulthood with total believability. There is so much wonderful attention to detail, clearly a lot of care and attention has gone into developing the scenes involving chess game-play. A must watch if even you just get a month subscription to Netflix (for the price of a boxset) This alone would be worth it for Christmas.
This show is one of the most bonkers adult animated shows you will ever see. The show follows Clancy, a giant pink human wearing nothing but a towel to cover his modesty and a Gandalf hat as he dives into a vaginalshaped multidimensional simulator every episode.
This could well be one of the best Netflix shows yet; such an absorbing watch. It very much makes me want to pickup the book by Walter Tevis and delve deeper.
Too much online TV? Confused about know I am because keep track with all produced, let alone to everything!
Pay-Per-View? I it’s impossible to the shows being being subscribed
If your a fan of the old way of what to watch check out our online guide here for a helping hand. thewordmedia.org/ppv-guide
The Last Kingdom
Deep in the heart of every person is a Viking, it might be in your DNA, or just lost somewhere on your bookcase! OK so maybe I am just a history goon, here to feed my craving for adventure by flicking through a little fiction. Based on books written by Bernard Cornwell this series can keep you hooked if you get into it; with great acting alongside a sweet soundtrack by Eivør Pálsdóttir. Uthred our main character does a convincing job as he journeys from one adventure to the next; battling sword in hand, despite what seems to be a huge toffee stuck to the hilt of his sword?! (Sigh.. It made sense in the books). All comical bits aside “did the Vikings really wear plastic helmets?” Shh!.. Nothing’s perfect on a budget! If you like this you should check out the series “Vikings”; and for those looking for the ultimate Viking saga - get Tim Severin’s books beginning with Odin’s Son.
VICE Narratives
Nomadic Jurassic
If your looking for true stories VICE is a good place to find perspectives on every type of human experience.
Sometimes all you need is some music to sooth your soul. 75% off his whole discography at the moment!!
youtube.com/c/VICE
youtube.com/c/NomadicJurassic/
14
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
and biodiversity loss also can create epidemic risks through their impacts on our environment. According to doctor Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, “Changes in the way we use land, the expansion and intensification of agriculture, and unsustainable trade, production and consumption alter nature and increase contact between wildlife, livestock, pathogens and people. This is the path to pandemics.”
By Prof. Pilar Viviente Quan beguis aigua, recorda la font! When you drink water, remember the fountain!
We all know that water is extremely important in our life – Water is life. It is also a great metaphor of human behaviour – Be fluid my friend. That’s it! Be smart. Be water.
L
ike many have said; who have written about developing ourselves; to be water is to be fluid and flexible under pressure, something that is important now with our need to change for the environment. I feel that is what we should be doing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Be safe. Be kind. Be just like water. We’re in this together in every shape and form. We will get through this together! Our environment is what houses and helps our ecosystem grow and thrive. All of the ecosystems that make up our environment are deeply connected. By
not protecting and caring for our environment we’re putting so many lives at danger such as animals, plants and crops, and even our own. We are not fully aware of the seriousness of the situation. 50 years
“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” Jacques Yves Cousteau ago, on April 22, Earth Day was celebrated for the first time to raise awareness of the problems caused by pollution. In the current COVID-19 crisis, we should make short and longterm decisions to improve protection and respect for our planet. Celebrations
An example of ecological agriculture, key to the preservation of the planet’s biodiversity, is the irrigation ditch. As our veins, the ditches carry life.
and news are not enough, educational action is needed worldwide. By instance, Water in our Life: Textbook for Teachers in Environmental Education Developed by a group of scientists from ITE “Internationalisation and Innovation of Teacher Education” with support of UNESCO and the United Nations Environment ‘Programme and the German Commission for UNESCO (1993). It is known that there is no great mystery about the cause of the coronavirus pandemic or any other modern pandemic. The same human activities that drive climate change
“We’re pumping irreplaceable groundwater to counter global droughts. When it’s gone, the real crisis begins.” National Geographic This has inspired my film SWEET WATER – SAVE NATURE SAVE CULTURE. 2007 [HQ] 2:58, which was featured at the Stage 8 event, a promotional event held on 7/7/07, under the “Live Earth – the concerts for a climate in crisis” of Al Gore. The event was an offer Stage 8 Film Annex to display in a virtual event the selected videos in the call for Artport Project. Stage 8, the Z-Rocks festival Outdoor Amphitheatre in the virtual world of Zwinktopia, moved to 7 million registered users to save the planet. The show consisted of 24 hours in
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
15
Pilar’s latest Rodete artworks.
Pilar (centre) at an art exhibition.
About the artist Pilar is a multidisciplinary artist belonging to the “reflective generation” that came to prominence towards the end of the 80s and beginning of the 90s. She was awarded the Premio Nacional de Terminación de Estudios (Award for the Best National Degree), and has received numerous awards and grants. Doctor from the UB, member of InSEA (UNESCO) and art critic (Arte Omega, El Temps d’Art, Grupo Noticias), she is also a lecturer in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the UMH since 1998, where she has been Director of the Drawing Area for seven years, and of the International Relation Office for two years. She has put on over a hundred national and international exhibitions in different galleries and museums. Her work is represented in important museums and private / public collections all over the world.
Water Is Life. Be Water. about.me/pilarviviente
programs where major artists of today hung video clips, webcasts, performances, interviews featuring his music and his commitment to saving the environment and create a sustainable future. Zwinktopia received press coverage autonomic of 60 Minutes. Press releases were sent to major news sources on the world scene. The promotional videos were presented with seven
Viewable here thewordmedia.org/water-is-life/
days notice on the home page of Zwinktopia. My video shows how important it is to SAVE NATURE and SAVE CULTURE, and the film ends with the message WATER IS LIFE. SAVE NATURE on a dry and cracked earth. SWEET WATER means freshwater, which saves nature from global warming and saves lives, and refers to
the protection of natural “Water is the most resources, natural energy, solar electricity … The critical resource video stimulates creativity issue of our lifetime and the feeling of fluid, and our children’s its liquid nature –Fluid is lifetime. The health the new flexible. As Bruce Lee said, “Be like water.” of our waters is the “Empty your mind, be principal measure of formless, shapeless – like how we live on the water. Life is easier when you are able to flow with land.” Luna Leopold the changes. The images and sound of nature come from a natural environment located in a local villa in Altea, Alicante (Spain). The water system is an ancient irrigation technique used by the farmers of the Valencian Community for hundreds of years since the Middle Ages – a small water channel that runs through the land, a very ecological system which is in the process of disappearing but still exists in the municipality. There is a Water Route through Altea la Vella that links six points of interest linked to the old cultivation and irrigation techniques. It will take you around 25 minutes to walk this charming route that will bring you closer to the
agricultural culture of the Valencian orchard. And you can enjoy the Big Fountain, the Carob Tree Fountain and the ravine after the rains. This video and the previous one of 6 minutes have been shown in numerous exhibitions – Le Petit Versailles Garden, NYC, in 2006. Paraninfo of Zaragoza University in 2001, AECI Cultural Center of Spain in St Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2002, Ibercaja Valencia in 2007, BilbaoArte As we are fighting for local agriculture and nature in our area we hope other communities around the world will get the chance to do the same so that we can all stand together.
16
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
THE ENVIRONMENT 2021
Greenpeace animation Monster, the sequel to Rang-Tan, is a new short film from Greenpeace made with four-time Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and independent creative agency Mother, to support our mission to end the role of industrial meat in deforestation and environmental damage, and to challenge the companies who are responsible. thewordmedia.org/monster-in-my-kitchen
Here we pose the question - why should I be worried about the globalist craze for green energy & what does it mean to me?? It is a scientific fact that children and adults who live near to traffic congested or industrial areas will suffer many health implications, it is only right, if we care about our society, as a whole, that we should investigate ways that we can help effect positive change for local living environments. Whether you believe in Climate Change - or think it is a natural cycle of our planet to alternate between hot and cold, most would say it is still wise to learn the details for yourself as to what and why - because we all know how much ca$h big business will throw at us to sell us what they want us to see. Yes the planet does change naturally, but the last time CO2 was recorded as high as today in our atmosphere was over 2 million years ago! CO2 is a huge problem from industry to agriculture! It would be quite naive to assume that our planet can naturally cope with the scale of pollution that humanity has created.
Festival of Spring Walks This January wrap up warm, embrace the elements and savour time spent in the great outdoors. It doesn’t need to be a long trek - the shortest of walks will do you good. A fresh air walk is the perfect way to reconnect with nature. Whether you love to walk alone, with a friend, family or your loyal canine, now is the time to head out for a walk to let your mind wander, ease your stress and feel some clean air cheer.
Spot these spring flowers
Winter Roses
Snowdrops
How clean is your river? As a keen wild swimmer I have been very concerned by the lack of clarity concerning UK waterways. With the government saying one thing; but delivering virtually nothing from privatised water management companies something is going to give. All of the rivers, lakes and streams in England are polluted, says the Environment Agency. Tests reveal a complete lack of progress towards a cleanup target by 2027. The most problematic pollutants being chemical sewage discharge, farming, and industrial chemicals. With stricter testing brought in from the EU showing long-banned pollutants such as PCB to also be an issue - its about time more was said about this from our London obsessed politics and mass media.
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
17
I AM YOU AND YOU ARE ME AND WE ARE ALL TOGETHER is normal. Many people simply give up saying “I can’t meditate,” but the simple fact is that everyone can meditate. It’s a learned skill which, as with all skills, deepens through daily practice. If you could make one wish that would be something to affect all people in the globe, what would it be? Well, that’s an easy one. My wish is that all people on the planet relate to each other with kindness, respect, and gentleness.
a k u r u G h it w w ie v r e t in n A sa is the ates Guruka Singh Khal Born in the United St widely known for his d an et N kh Si e th of r founde popular YouTube Videos
Such a delight to chat with Guruka anytime, I’d really recommend his website where you can join classes online. kundaliniuniversity.com What do you practice? Self-evolution, Compassion, Service and kindness. What is kundalini Yoga? Kundalini Yoga is called the Yoga of Awareness. It is a dynamic, powerful tool that is designed to give you an experience of your soul. In Kundalini Yoga we harness the mental, physical, and subtle energies of the body and put them under the domain of the will, which is the instrument of the soul. This technology precisely and consciously combines breath, mudra, eyefocus, mantra, body locks, and postures to balance the glandular system, strengthen the nervous system, expand lung capacity, and purify the blood. It brings balance to the body, mind, and soul.
Kundalini Yoga is not a religion. When we apply the technology of Kundalini Yoga to our bodies and minds, it has the effect of uplifting the spirit. It is for everyone. It is universal and non-denominational. Kundalini Yoga is a yoga for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and stresses of holding jobs, raising families, and managing businesses. It is a path for everyone who wants the skills to cope successfully with the challenges of our times. Do you think someone can practice meditation even if they don’t believe in the idea of God? Absolutely! Meditation isn’t about ideas or beliefs. It is a technique for gaining control over one’s own mind. If we win that battle, we win everything. I have met many people who tell me they cannot meditate because their mind is too active, is that something you’re familiar with? Yes. When people first begin to meditate they are still easily distracted and led by their thoughts. That ‘restless’ stage
What is the connection between yourself & your religion? I don’t consider myself a religious person. I don’t ‘believe in God.’ Organized Religion is now in the process of ending on this planet. It’s done well over the last 5,000 years or so, but now it’s time for humanity to wake up and for us to support each other in waking up. The Spirit is in every one of us and we no longer need middlemen to intercede on our behalf. In that regard - what do you think of other religions, and possibly why do you think religions don’t seem to get along when the core messages (away from politics) are the same? It’s just ego. As soon as someone thinks of himself as better than another, that’s where the trouble begins. I’ve spent many years doing ‘inter-religious work’ and ultimately it boils down to each person. What many religions provide is a shared group experience of devotion. That can be healing. But as soon as ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ come into it, judging begins and the unity is lost.
Choose beauty... so you define ugly Select good, so you create evil As you choose your joy, so you design your sorrow All love,
18
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
ART AND NATURE ARE THERAPEUTIC SO I LIKE TO COMBINE this activity. It really doesn’t matter what your finished sketch looks like. Do it for you. You’re making a present to give to yourself because sometimes you forget YOU are the most important person in your life. Initially it’s not an easy activity (you will get better at it with practice) it’s rigorous brain gym and because of this your thoughts are instantly diverted away from the troubled ones. It shuts up the pesky monkey mind chatter.
“Art is a harmony parallel with nature.” Paul Cezanne
Watercolours and wildlife Art and nature are therapeutic so I combine the two for a double dose of feel good. Sketching animals outside in nature has been my defence in a lifelong battle with depression. By Fiona Gomez. Artist, illustrator, and Quantum Health Hypnosis Practitioner. I had suffered from depression since childhood and received therapy and prescribed medication which actually made me worse (obtusely a side effect of my antidepressant was suicidal depression)! but taking a break outdoors, away from the distractions at home, with my bird watching scope and sketching gear I’d notice my crushed spirit would instantly lift.
I’d realise with one big sigh as I sat poised to start painting, that I’d forgotten how to breathe properly. I had been shallow breathing, in a state of permanent tension, but while looking at birds close-up through my scope, I’d find myself breathing deeply in awe and wonder, nature’s beauty filling my heart and lungs. SKILLS NOT REQUIRED You don’t have to be an artist. As long as you can put pencil to paper you can benefit from
After about 10-30 minutes of trying too hard (I call this a warm up) you’ll get into ’the flow’. You stop ’efforting’ and allow the pencil/brush in your hand to take over as you disconnect your conscious brain, and the sketch will seem to draw itself! Remember to switch off the mobile phone, stay focused. I’ve heard some say getting into this creative ’flow’ (includes writing, music, dance, etc) is much more effective than meditation. I’ll paint under an umbrella in the rain but joining your local Wildlife Trust gives you access to their peaceful wildlife reserves where you can take shelter in their ’hides’. I also love to paint by water. Water is extraordinarily healing. It’s movement, flow and reflections imbue a sense of calm and serenity. A sunset reflected on water is just stunning, a perfect end to the day. You could make your art therapy easier by not sketching moving birds or animals but I believe they heighten the joy. When I’m surrounded by preening swans and geese it warms my heart to realise I’ve been accepted as part of the ’Gaggle’. Over years I’ve observed the individual
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
THE
WORD
19
THE TWO FOR A DOUBLE DOSE OF REFRESHING FEEL GOOD
My Art Materials My scope, tripod and binoculars are my most expensive kit; they are great for detailed sketches of animals and birds whose fear of humans keeps them distant, but I find lots of birds congregate at popular lakes, water parks, and riversides waiting for people to feed them. If you have bird food you won’t even need binoculars! Using decent art materials improves results and adds to the pleasure of sketching. It’s worth spending on quality watercolours to get strong pigments. If drawing try an automatic 0.5mm pencil (no need to sharpen) with a softer dark lead, 2B or 3B for dramatic contrast, and cartridge paper that’s not too smooth. I’ve found Boldmere brushes from The Works are amazingly good and you can get a pack of 9 for under a fiver! If you can afford to splash out then Rosemary & Co have a huge range of excellent quality brushes. My portable easel desk cost me £10 from The Works. Good quality watercolour paper plays with colours wonderfully, 300gsm (thick) will hold lots of water before buckling, but I’ve also had decent results with wall paper liner you buy in a roll. Jackson’s Art have a huge range of quality materials with reviews. Their prices are reasonable so you can buy from them or source items from somewhere cheaper. (Beware of online counterfeits)
personalities and antics of wildlife and I believe we’re only different in our lifestyles and communication, our spirits, emotions and struggles with abundance are basically the same! Personally I don’t think animals are on earth for us to eat, I think they’re here to uplift our spirits and whilst sketching them they’ve certainly lifted mine in awe and wonder at their beauty and endurance and they make me laugh. I’ve never felt comfortable in the company of humans, always waiting to be judged. But I’m always at ease in nature, and my animal models don’t judge me even when I forget their food. Do you know there’s a crow at Stappenhill Gardens, Burton Upon Trent, that says ’HELLO’ in a voice identical to mine? I’ve recorded it. Available for tuition and free sketching outdoors sessions for those in need of upliftment in the Burton Upon Trent area.
ART THERAPY The use of artistic methods to treat enhance health is known as art therapy. Art therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and well-being. Art is used to aid people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills helping to overcome stress, and explore different aspects of their own personalities. Contact Fiona Gomez here: craftcourses.com/providers/wild-at-art facebook.com/fionadoodles/
THE
20 NotWORD lost was I
And I came across but long I walked, an ocean lost, across an in a deep and empty hidden place. plain..
Deeper into the caves we tread; a place I have been reflected.. into the soul of the cold dark Earth. What do you see in this darkness?
March 2021
Only the self that hides. the sleeper of your deepest fears.. some fear to be alone.. others just fear to be - I find a light in this dark place. My mind is playing tricks already.. I see flames like a fire..
The A Magazine Beneath my feet, Within my mind, this turning beat; a blinding light; from a pulse so close, was death so long ago.. to hell.
Energy streams light deep underground - each step walking through flickering flames.
We question our minds, bewildered by sensations and memories of places.. such deep love in faces..
We are descending far into souls from times long forgotten.. This is so unreal
You say you are a man of logic, but you forget logic changes as we conceive change. everything alters in time - even physics.. so it is with every life.
But joy is born upon the air; to be aware of life!..
..stars hold the souls of those we’ve loved, as you pass these things.. some can see it all.. live forever..
There! I see the face of a man!
By love,thewordmedia.org let loose with not an end; it was then I found Myself.
before you.. from a time when violent kings reigned the Earth. Souls still living; each as a painted memory - the children of Earth carry such sight.. an eye in every generation..
thewordmedia.org
More tunnels?! How far can we go on?
The A Magazine
That depends how deep your scars go.. or if they will let you return?
March 2021
THE
WORD
21
22
THE
WORD
March 2021
The Radical Diaries Short stories and quirky quips..
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
RUN..RUN FAST.. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! JUST SAW ONE EAT THE MILKMAN!
Why was the astronaut’s diary blank? It was filled with space.. Possibly something to do with a Serco scam!.
KEEP RUNNING BRO!
JUST MIND IT’S STILL NOT AS BAD AS A TORY GOVERNMENT THO!
Eye to eye
Matthew Collings
Dear diary, It’s been raining for two weeks straight now. My husband is looking through the window with great longing and sadness in his eyes! If it keeps raining for another two or three days, I’m afraid I’m going to have to let him get into the house. My parents read the book I was writing. They said the man character wasn’t likeable... So, yeah, now I have a new hiding place for my diary.
Corbyn gets an unexpected visit
Philip Guston depicting Trump
“decent clothes,” “gas and electricity,” “insurance,” behaving like peasants who have just come out of the fields and are so dreadful tickled because they can buy baubles and doodads in stores. - A short quote from the diary of Jack Kerouac.
NIRVANA BLONDIE GENESIS FLEETWOOD MAC QUEEN GREEN DAY Get your goggles CREAM on to find these PIXIES Rock bands in RADIOHEAD the word puzzle opposite. SANTANA Good Luck. POLICE ROCK HARD WORD SEARCH
“Nothing important happened today” - personal diary of King George III, 4 July 1776 --People rush off to meaningless jobs day after day, you see them I’ve seen Andy Murray quietly make this coughing in the subways at stand a few times, journalism isn’t what it dawn. They squander their used to be - or maybe it is?. souls on things like “rent,”
LOVE YARDBIRDS AEROSMITH ANIMALS WHO DOORS METALLICA KINKS OUTKAST STROKES JAM
thewordmedia.org
The A Magazine
March 2021
SUDOKU
THE
WORD
23
Learn some UK culture
It is very important to learn your bardic history; so here, for your education we are delighted to present Burns & Wordsworth as never glimpsed before.
Darling I don’t think they-re selling icecream
Ma red, red toe!
Ma toe is like a red, red rose; Cause I whapped it on the stool! Ma toe is just a muckle bruise, Cause’a chunked it like a tool!
THE ROCK HARD WORD SEARCH! S N L L F M E T A L L I C A
L T O O L R A D I O H E A D
A E V C E C R E A M M S E O
M W E I E T E D D O O R S A
O A W E T O U T K A S T E Y
A N H C W Y A D N E E R G A
E I O I O M A J I E O N K R
R M B L O N I X O S I S I D
O A L O D I I M A R T I N B
S L O P M P E N V R N S K I
M S N I A T T A O E I E S R
I D D O C A N K E C I N Y D
T T I N N A E U N E O E N S
H E E A I S Q E O E K G L K
So limp along ma sally boy, n‘ raw my ugly toe! And sure I’ll curse ma’sell again Whin a hoof it again Th’morra! The bawdy Bard
I wandered lonely as a cloud
I wandered lonely as a cloud Full to chuck of acid rain! Well there I was, just by myself, When I saw, a crowd of hunting fools. Out about at a chase no less, Against a poor red fox. So I bobbed along my guts a chock, And drowned em’ with my hail.
Check out the quiz answers on the website
Nadine Shah Kitchen Sink “enriching our world”
Norah Jones Pick Me Up Off the Floor “flippin’ excellent”
Cardi B - WAP feat. Megan Thee Stallion “So catchy!”
Hot Picks
Harry Styles Fine Line “refreshingly different”
Billy Wordsworth
THE
WORD
March 2021
The A Magazine
thewordmedia.org
Norah Jones Norah’s live Facebook videos have been keeping many of us listening over lockdown definitely worth a listen.
Down
1. Seasonal flower 3. The industrial revolution 4. frequencies beyond the limits of human hearing 7. Someone crazy about bricks and mortar 8. Which tree do we get turpentine from 9. A type of duck that will be nesting in winter 12. Walled citadel found in North African 15. UK wildlife with a spiky headdress 16. For a nice wrapped gift 17. An animal that never sleeps 21. Part of the eye gives it its colour 23. Gran has a little one on the cold mornings 25. Little green edibles 26. Well known Greek word for horse 29. The Roman goddess of Spring 30. Female version of a peacock 32. Healing essence - the wise gift 33. seen out late hooting and hunting 35. What is the soft spot on a babies head known as 36. Something for after dinner 40. 7 of these are sung about at Christmas
O n l y Love
Michael Kiwanuka 2020 Mercury Prize winner; a lush, immersive album of politicised soul, it sees the artist exploring themes of self-doubt, faith and civil rights.
Across
W il l C o n q u e r
2. Woodland tree 5. winter brings this in the mornings 6. Fantastic Mr out late at night 9. Collective name for a group of crows 10. Material that will not carry an electrical charge called 11. The main constituent of pewter 13. With a bird feeder in your garden you might see this furry friend 14. Seen on mountainsides running with big ears 18. Largest moon of Saturn 19. Grassland of Northern America Called 20. International symbol of happiness 22. Copper is named after which island in the Mediterranean 24. Prickly woodland tree 27. A golden flyer with a red face 28. Dol is a unit of measurement for what 31. UK singing bird also known as Lullula 34. Largest gift ever given to a country 37. Representative of a great victory 38. Keeps the child happy 39. A helping hand 41. Which mammal lives the longest 42. The commonest bird in Britain
H a te
New
Our Chilled Music Picks
24
Bob Dylan - New Album Dylan’s 39th album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, a beautiful and well created record; ten new songs to equal any of his late albums such as Time Out of Mind. 80s
Future Islands - As Long As You Are, Baltimore
New
synth-poppers smooth lyrics really do grab you by the heart.
Talk Talk The Colour of Spring, released in 1986 is a Digital
Carbon Based Lifeforms
Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death It’s a grab bag full of
Just search online for these amazingly chilled musicians.
Irish post-punk epics that are definitely worth a listen.
Tell us your picks
Found a new album you want to share? Send in your comments. thewordmedia.org/contact-information/
fantastic set of tunes from the 80s to relive.
Classic
Air - Moon Safari
One of my favourite albums to get me through any day.
The A Magazine
PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea West Ham United
2-0
Everton
2-0
Leeds United
Monday 8th March 2021 FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE Bristol City Women
3-2
Reading Women
Tuesday 9th March 2021 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2nd round Borussia Dortmund
2-2
Sevilla
(Borussia win 5-4 on aggregate.) Juventus
3-2
FC Porto
(Aggregate 4-4. Porto 1-3 win on away goals rule.) Wednesday 10th March 2021 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2nd round Liverpool
2-0
RB Leipzig
(Liverpool win 4-0 on aggregate.) Paris St. Germain
1-1
Barcelona
(PSG win 5-21-3 on aggregate.) Wednesday 10th March 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City
5-2
Southampton
Wednesday 10th March 2021 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 2nd round Manchester United
1-1
AC Milan
Slavia Prague
1-1
Rangers
Paris St. Germain
1-1
Barcelona
Olympiakos
1-3
Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur
2-0
Dinamo Zagreb
Thursday 11th March 2021 FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE Birmingham City
0-4
Everton Women
Friday 12th March 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Newcastle United
1-1
Aston Villa
Saturday 13th March 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Leeds United
0-0
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
1-0
West Bromwich Albion
Everton
1-2
Burnley
Fulham
0-3
Manchester City
Saturday 13th March 2021 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Livingston 2-1 Ross County
1-2
Sunday 14th March 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Southampton 1-2
Hamilton Academical Hibernian
Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester City
5-0
Sheffield United
Arsenal
2-1
Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United
1-0
West Ham United
THE FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE Reading Women 0-0 Tottenham Women
March 2021
THE
WORD
25
BOXING TRIVIA 1. In which country was British-Australian former heavyweight boxer Joe Bugner born? 2. Which boxer retired after losing to Chris Eubank, Jr., at Wembley Arena in March 2016? 3. Which boxer was the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987? 4. Which English boxer won in the super heavyweight division a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games? 5. Which boxer had the nickname ‘The Brockton Blockbuster’? 6. Who did Lennox Lewis defeat in the 1988 Olynpic Heavyweight final to win gold? 7. Which American boxer was nicknamed ‘Cinderella Man’? 8. Which British heavyweight boxer knocked out Mike Tyson in the fourth round in July 2004? 9. Who was the heavyweight boxing champion of Uganda from 1951 to 1960? 10. Which British boxer lost to a controversial points decision (which the crowd booed) to Joe Louis at the Yankee Stadium, New York City? 11. Who was welterweight champion for six years, eight months and fourteen days (the longest ever reign)? 12. Which boxer was nicknamed ‘The Mongoose’, and then ‘The Old Mongoose’ in the latter half of his career? 13. Name the only two fighters to defeat Lennox Lewis? 14. As of 2015, four boxers have won the BBC Sports Personality of the year, can you name all four?
1. Who defeated Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road to win his world title? 2. Who was cornerman for Sugar Ray Leonard in many of his biggest fights and for Ali in all but two of his fights? 3. In which city in 2015 did Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko to be crowned the new world heavyweight champion? 4. Which boxer was nicknamed ‘Hands of Stone’? 5. Whose undefeated record was ended by Marco Antonio Barrera at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 7 April 2001? 6. Joe Calzaghe’s last fight was at Madison Square Garden in November 2008; who did he defeat? 7. Who defeated middleweight champion Gerald McClellan in a highly anticipated fight billed as ‘Sudden Impact’? 8. Who did Muhammad Ali lose to in his last ever fight? 9. American world heavyweight boxing champion Arnold Raymond Cream was better known by what name? 10. ‘The Celtic Warrior’ is the most successful ever professional Irish boxer; who is he? Answers: 1. Barry McGuigan 2. Angelo Dundee 3. Duesseldorf 4. Roberto Duran 5. Naseem Hamed (Prince Hamed) 6. Roy Jones Jr. 7. Nigel Benn 8. Trevor Berbick 9. Jersey Joe Walcott 10. Steve Collins
Football results week 08-03-2021 to 14-03-2021 Monday 8th March 2021
Answers: 1. Hungary (his full name is Jozsef Kreul Bugner) 2. Nick Blackwell 3. Marvin Hagler 4. David Price 5. Rocky Marciano 6. Riddock Bowe 7. James J. Braddock 8. Danny Wilson 9. Idi Amin 10. Tommy Farr 11. Felix Trinidad 12. Archie Moore 13. Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman 14. Henry Cooper, Barry McGuigan, Lennox Lewis, and Joe Calzaghe
thewordmedia.org
‘MARVELLOUS’ MARVIN HAGLER DIES AT AGE OF 66
FAREWELL, MARVELLOUS ‘M
arvellous’ Marvin Hagler, perhaps the finest and most enduring Middleweight boxer of the 1970’s and 1980’s, has died on 13th March at his home in New Hampshire. Born in New Jersey in 1954, Hagler had already had a long and popular professional career in the ring, starting in 1973, before he became Undisputed World Middleweight Champion in September 1980. His title was swiftly secured, beating Briton Alan Minter by a 3rd Round knockout blow at Wembley, in one
of only two pro bouts Hagler fought outside of North America. From there, a strange mystique of invincibility seemed to emanate from Hagler, as he went unbeaten for almost seven years, with no fewer than twelve successful title defences in a row. This included powerful challenges from the likes of Thomas Hearns (“The War”) in 1985, and John Mugabi of Uganda in 1986. It was only in Las Vegas in 1987, in a mighty contest with ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard (“The Super-Fight”) that went the distance, that Hagler was finally
defeated, and even then only by a split-verdict.. After retiring, Hagler became a popular commentator for the sport on British television, and made occasional appearances in action movies, including Virtual Weapon (1997). In a professional career in the ring of 67 bouts covering 15 years, Hagler only ever lost twice, he registered 52 knockout wins, and his twelve straight successful title defences stand as the third-longest Unified Championship reign in the history of Boxing.