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Well, here I am back from Edinburgh, and what larks it was. Each night for a week, I dipped my feet in a swimming-pool and read my poems to crowds of at least half a dozen. I painted my toenails specially, and some traces of the coloured varnish can still be seen. I wonder how long it will take until it all goes. It’s like a sort of hourglass concept, only longer-term. Anyway, we had some well-balanced reviews (“Feeble humorous poetry” - The Scotsman) and one of my books got wet when Luke Wright launched himself into the water beside me. Always a poet to make a splash, ho ho.

Anyway, there it is. Finally, a request that you all write to Poetry Please and ask them to repeat some of the poems I read for them last summer. It will make a change from that poem about being old and wearing purple.

Kindest regards

Rachel P

 

RACHEL: FORTHCOMING READINGS 2008

Sat 29 August

The Blyth Power Ashes, Lumb Farm, Marehay, Ripley, Derbyshire: I am reading my poems in the midst of a very strange event which is part cricket match and part cavalcade of raucous musicians. I am on at 5pm. Food available.

Fri 9 October

The Lovely Cabaret, South Street Arts Centre, Reading: part of Reading Comedy Festival, devised by that chap A F Harrold. Sure to be splendid. 8pm.

Sat 10 Oct

Voices Off, in the street somewhere, Cheltenham: part of the Literary Festival. I am alongside new young thing Hollie McNish, who is very good. 12 noon. Free.

Sat 10 Oct again

Allstars Poetry Slam, Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham: ah yes – later that same day… That’s very odd, it’s not listed on their website. Anyway, one or two poems, then home. Someone like Tony Walsh will probably win. About 8pm.

As many of you know, I read my poems at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in July. Clashed with Jerry Hall, but never mind – we tend to appeal to different demographics. Next it was off to the Latitude Jazz Festival (near Dunwich, but far enough inland for the ravages of the encroaching sea to not be an immediate problem). Whilst I was there, I was whisked into the Radio 4 marquee to participate in two instalments of ‘Poetry Please’. Yes indeed – McGough on one side, Armitage on the other. What can you say other than “Loved the new translation of Gawain and the Green Knight”? Maybe you heard the episodes, maybe not. I’ve had lots of letters from people in the Warwickshire area, mainly. Anyway, next it was off to do a reading at the Square & Compasses in Dorset: charming pub in the middle of nowhere, largely frequented by Freemasons. Amazing – the entire population of the Isle of Purbeck must have been there. Just like something out of Hardy. Splendid night.

Anyway, lots more coming up: readings in Llangollen and apparently a bus in Hackney. Who organises these things? Anyway, there it is. You’ve been very indulgent.

As a general rule of thumb, I generally tend to be on stage for about 20 minutes. Any more than that and I start to get palpitations. I am, after all, only human.

I appeared on Poetry Please while performing Lattitude.
You can listen to the show using the play button to the right: