by Cardinal Cox
Pub Scrawl
Peterborough Festival starts the weekend of 25/26 June with the history weekend centred around the Cathedral. Expect people in historical costume and Poets United who will be reciting somewhere in the vicinity. During the festival Mark Grist should debut his new one-man show, Shetland Boy, so look out for more information about that. The festival ends the weekend of 9/10 July with events in Central Park, including a poetry tent. Poets United are also aiming to have a poetry trail around the park, as they did in 2008 and 2009. Pint of Poetry, Dash of Drama will be having their regular nights at Charters Bar on Wednesday 11 May and then 8 June. If you want to read, it is best to get there about 8pm as it can get quite busy, the entertainment starts around 8:30pm. Poetry Factory is back after its Christmas Break offering constructive criticism to writers and performers on the third Tuesday of the month at the PCVS building on Lincoln Road (roughly opposite the Geneva Bar). On Tuesday 17 May there is a special guest tutor Tim Clare (so book in advance), admission for that will cost £5. Then on 21 June it is just the usual circle, and admission for that is free. So take a couple of poems, pen and some paper and ring Pete Irving (current Bard of the Fens and last year’s John Clare Poetry Prize winner) on 01733 890537 for full details. Speakeasy is back at the Brewery Tap on Wednesday 25 May at 8pm, admission will be £4. Then on Wednesday 29 June, Speakeasy moves to the Key Theatre Studio for a Peterborough Festival show with headliner (and all-round good bloke) Richard Tyrone Jones. I’ve read at a few of his nights in London and can vouch for his ability. Plus, this night is free, so no excuses. John Clare Cottage in Helpston (next to the Blue Bell pub)
Author and poet Sam Stone will be signing copies of her latest book at Waterstone’s, Bridge Street on Saturday 14 May. Photo © David J Howe should shortly be announcing this year’s subject for the Annual Poetry Prize. For information go to the Clare Cottage website or email events@clarecottage.org Glamorous horror author and poet Sam Stone will be having a signing session at Waterstone’s, Bridge Street on Saturday 14 May. Sam has written the Vampire Gene trilogy and now has her Zombies of New York collection of short stories published. As a bonus, the illustrator for the Zombies book, Russell Morgan – an old friend of Peterborough SF Club - should
also be at the signing session. Poets United will be reading their work at The Wildlife Trust’s Ramsey Heights Countryside Centre (PE26 2RS) on Saturday 14 May as part of the Great Fen Project’s Family Heritage Day. For more details about the day (01487) 710420 or go to the website at: www.greatfen.org.uk/events Poets United meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the PCVS building on Lincoln Road from 8pm. For full details ring Viv on 01733 340560. Peterborough Libraries is hosting