Cambusnethan Priory

I met my good friend Marie Michlova in Cold Town House and shared our common interest in all things Abbotsford.

Marie whose book Smrt Muz (Death of a muse) Torst 2012 reimagines the home life of Walter Scott and his son-in-law John Gibson Lockhart is now also involved with the friends of ruinous Cambusnethan Priory.

Courtesy Friends of Cambusnethan Priory

Courtesy Friends of Cambusnethan Priory

She has found a family connection with the priory through her academic research on Lockhart and has visited to share her expertise. (And coincidentally this house was also home to family of Scottish astronomer and mathematician Mary Somerville).

Also a chance for nice chat.

If you want to learn more about Cambusnethan or visit it, try https://www.facebook.com/CambusnethanPriory/

Listening at Scott's Treasures at Abbotsford

This poetry reading took place in a spectacular yet intimate venue: Scott's own library restored and lit low. This was the first time I had to sit down and really listen to the other contributors' work.

I hope for many more such poetry events at Abbotsford: the house built on poetry. This one was jointly run by the Creative Borders Arts Network (CABN) and the Abbotford Trust.

Oh and a note, when I was a guide at the house the bust of Shakespeare sort of visible at the top right of the picture had been banished from the library into a sort of back inner hall at the top of the servant's stairs. It is nice to see it back in its rightful place.

Scott's Treasures Abbotsford, Scotland Tuesday 18th 2014

Rehearsals have started in earnest for Scott's Treasures at Abbotsford on Tuesday 18th 2014.

And I have to say, though not as as an impartial observer, things are looking pretty good. The interesting things about this project - or rather the staging of it on Tuesday - is the involvement of actors from award-winning Firebrand Theatre Company.

We had a 2 hour run-through which began with techniques for relaxing and breathing followed by a new one to me - talking and listening in different acted situations; we read our poems but as if for example talking to a young child. This proved an excellent way of releasing intonation and meaning. We worked in pairs - I had a dark poem of Dorothy Alexander's to listen to and found my 5 year old self became quite troubled! The end result is a much clearer understanding of the audience as a person you are talking to and communicating with. Something that performing poets (as opposed to actors) may lose sight of.

Finally we got onto the read-through which after the set of exercises seemed a piece of cake - a satisfying workout for the voice and engagement levels.

You can judge the results for yourself on Tuesday. And expect a twist or two!

More and how to book here -http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/event-registration/?ee=44 - and more on Firebrand here http://www.firebrandtheatre.co.uk/

Back from travels...and all the gossip

Glad to say that I am back from various destinations and working hard on my first collection The exact colour of snow. (And that was what has been keeping things quiet in October btw!)

Lots to share:

• An excellent reading by John Glenday and Zaffar Kunial at the Scottish Poetry Library. Zaffar's Faber new poets series' work is a great delight and John has a new book due next year - judging by what he read last week that too will be a must-read.
• Scott's treasures reading coming up on the 18th November - http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/event-registration/?ee=44 - more on why you should attend coming soon
• Please consider purchasing the anthology The Journey http://www.lulu.com/shop/maggie-mcgeary/the-journey/ebook/product-21874462.html in aid of Marie Curie - more on what and why to follow
• Gerry Loose launches Fault Line in Edinburgh this Tuesday 4th November - I will be attending and reporting back
• And finally bit of a new look planned for the p&g magazine site - also coming soon - it has changed to an upgraded server if you have been looking and wondering why?

1814 year of Waverley - Walter Scott in context

A very nice book on Scott crossed our path today here at p&g. The kind of book Scott enthusiasts have been waiting for.

 

It is by Christopher Harvie and he describes some talks he is giving below: if you don't know Scots - Chris says he'll be speaking in English too.

 

Tales o' anither Grandfaither, Chris Harvie an his Chapbuiks: he’ll tell ye three tales aboot Sir Walter an oor Borderland, tho he’s a kynd chiel, an they’re no aa in the auld tung! An there’s rhyme an (un)reason forbye. 

• At eleven i the forenoon, young Walter’s borderland, his faimly an freens
•  Twae efter noon, the stations o’ WAVERLEY, when Charlie cam tae Selkirk
•  Thrie, afore tea, hoo Sir Walter took on the warld, no tae speak o Boney!

 

 

You can catch Christopher Harvie's talks at Abbotsford - the home of Walter Scott (i the Gift-hoose …as Harvie puts it)- where he will be signing books on the 17th August 2014. They also have an archery competition. Nice stuff. Scott virtually invented Robin Hood as we know him today.

More on how to get the book here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/190893123X/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE and the Abbotsford event here http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/events/ or @AbbotsfordScott

 

 

And btw if you haven't found us on Twitter yet - it is @poetandgeek

Scott's Treasures

A wonderful return visit to Abbotsford in the Scottish borders the home and creation of Walter Scott the Scottish poet, novelist, collector and a whole lot more, for this workshop led by poet Dorothy Alexander.

The Scott's Treasures project shares Scott's wonderful collection as a stimulant to creative response. My first participation today and I even got to write a ballad - yes, the ballad form I love - which I may or may not develop; my "object" itself must remain a secret.

More to follow on this as things develop.

In the meantime, this is a picture of Maida, Scott's Scottish deerhound, as sculpted by John Smith - builder and sometimes architect of Abbotsford - who even worked on Christmas Day to complete it. Smith found Maida - who was so used to painters that he used to slope off on their arrival - very wriggly; and had more success with his monumental red sandstone William Wallace further down the Tweed near Dryburgh Abbey where Scott is buried. Maida is buried beneath the statue.

You can find out more about the project here http://cabn.info/events-talks/scotts-treasures-poetry-workshops-at-abbotsford.html.