Pete 'Cardinal' Cox, Poet - Guest Blog 27th July 2012

July in Peterborough started with the Summer Festival the finale of which is a weekend in our glorious Central Park, except it was raining, as it was over most of the country, so about 3 o’clock the whole event got closed down. Well, I say whole, while the organisers' collective backs were turned Mark Grist kept the Live Literature tent running for another half an hour. The intermittent rain had actually been helping to drive an audience into the tent. Come for the shelter, stay for the rhymes, could have been the motto. I had done a few poems early in the day as part of the general start-up of ‘make some noise and try and attract people’s attentions’. After that an organiser of some local events had asked if I wanted to run a workshop, but the truth is, although I have done a couple in the past, I have to admit I’m not that good at them. I have attended a number of workshops by other people (a particularly good one run by Sue Butler and held at Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology always stands out http://haddon.archanth.cam.ac.uk/haddon-specials/library-online/writing-workshop-30-october-2010 ) as I figure there is always something to learn. Plus athletes always train to keep their muscles in top condition, so shouldn’t poets equally train to maintain the old noggin? However many workshops I attend though, I never find I can replicate the ability to inspire others to create. Which is a shame because when you come down to it, workshops are one of the main earning potentials for poets. Back at the festival (or more accurately, after it’s early closure, down the pub) the person who had invited me to run the workshop said that they’d signed up an excellent local rapper to run the day, and I’ll admit I thought good for him.

The week after was the John Clare Festival in Helpston (organised by the John Clare Society http://johnclaresociety.blogspot.co.uk/ ) that I’ve been going to for many years. Ok, not strictly true, I go to Helpston, but never actually make it to the Festival proper. First this year was a visit to the pub The Blue Bell where Clare had been a pot-boy, then to the John Clare Cottage next door (http://www.clarecottage.org/ ) for some cake, Bakewell Tart, I think. Then across the road to an artist’s studio where I chatted with the abstract painter. His wife offered a cup of tea and I declined as I was next going to the village hall where the W.I. put on refreshments. “Oh no”, she looked as though I’d said something terrible, “I promised to bake them some scones”, and scampered off. As I said, next was the village hall for another piece of cake (a lovely sponge with enormous strawberries and thick cream) and then into a local gallery to buy some cards. Then to see some more local artists (one of whom had asked for a poem from me to accompany a piece of work, but that’s still in the creative process) then to The Exeter Arms where John Clare had laid before being buried. The Exeter Arms has just been bought by the John Clare trust so was closed, so a visit to the church was in order before catching a bus home. At the bus stop I bumped into an old school teacher of mine who was bemoaning that she’d been refused service at the village hall. Apparently they’d thought she wouldn’t have had time to drink her tea and eat her cake before the bus came. To stir it a bit I described how tasty the cake I’d eaten had been. Caught the bus and continued chatting and just before I got off (to really put the cat amongst the proverbial) showed her the slice of cake I’d bought for my girlfriend. So no, I never quite make it to the Festival itself.

At the end of the month I took part in a guided tour with various artists and playwrights (I contributed some old riddles I’d written for my first poetry trail for the Cemetery where I’d been Poet-in-Residence for three years) and all went well until we were stopped by the police. Perhaps we were a suspicious looking bunch of middle class, middle aged ne’er-do-wells. Can’t have that sort in the run-down areas of the city…

To finish with, another plug for something from the small-press, this time Leeds’s based poetry publication Krax. 60 pages filled with excellent poetry, plus a fantastic review section covering a good number of publications from Britain and the rest of the world. Well-worth subscribing to, I think, so send an SAE to Andy Robson at 63 Dixon Lane, Leeds, LS12 4RR for full details and buy yourself a sample copy before submitting to.

A Pint of Poetry at Peterborough Arts Festival this July

The weekend of the 7th and 8th July will have a shed-load of poetry entertainment in the Spoken Word tent, run by Mark and Keely. This year should be loads of fun, but, more importantly, It's a chance showcase spoken word to the rest of Peterborough.

On the Saturday we've got some of the best spoken word artists in the country, including local artist, Max Melton. We've also got Poets Vs Rappers and the awesome Harry Baker to bring it all to an end. Incredible stuff!

The Sunday is really exciting as well. We've got two original commissions, an hour long Hammer and Tongue Slam, Voyager Academy's Slam team (who are AMAZING!) We've got Mark Neil as our headliner as well - phew!

Saturday 7th July 2012

12-1pm         Pint of Poetry 

1.-1.20pm      Superbard 

1.20-1.40pm Rob Auton 

1.40-2.00pm Max Melton 

2.05-2.30pm Salena Godden

2.30-3pm       Sanity Valve

3-3.30pm  Locality

3.30-4.30pm Rappers V Poets 

4.30-5pm       Harry Baker - (the current National, European and World Slam Champion).

Sunday 8th July 2012

12-1pm                 Pint of Poetry

1-1.20pm               Tina Sederholm

1.20-1.40pm         Steve Larkin

1.40-2.05pm          Lucy Ayrton

2.05pm-2.20pm First commission (Leanne Moden)

2.20pm -2.40pm Second commission (Pint of Poetry regular, Alex Tyler!)

2.40pm-3.00pm    Voyager Academy youth slam team

3.00pm-4.00pm Hammer and Tongue Slam

4.00pm-4.30pm MC Mixy 

4.30pm-5.00pm Mark Niel

These are all absolutely brilliant acts, and some have never been to Peterborough before. We're really looking forward to seeing you down there, pints in hand!

Summer, Mark and Richard,

The Pint of Poetry Team

Peterborough Arts Festival is back for 2012

The full line up for the Peterborough Arts Festival, organised by Vivacity Culture and Leisure and sponsored by Perkins Engines Company Limited, has now been announced.

This year’s Festival, which takes place from 30th June to 8th July, is set to be a magical feast of entertainment: from headliners Hard-Fi in Central Park, to Helter Skelters and Giant Elephants in Cathedral Square, to some of the best talent from the Edinburgh Festival at the Key Theatre. Whatever your taste in music, art, culture and entertainment, there’s bound to be something for you and your friends and family to enjoy. 

Peterborough Arts Festival kicks off with a Victorian Circus extravaganza in the city centre. On Saturday 30th June, Cathedral Square will be transformed by a multitude of extra-ordinary performances and entertainment. Come and be amazed by wonderful, bizarre, magical and hilarious performances popping up all over the Square to celebrate the Festival opening, featuring artists from around the world: Cirk Isis will be astounding crowds with their acrobatic trampoline act. Walking giants – a mechanical elephant and a giant Fire bird – will be witnessed touring the city centre. Or, you can get a different perspective on the city from the top of a Victorian Helter Skelter.

Then make your way over to the Key Theatre to experience the Reduced Shakespeare Company performing The Complete World of Sports – every sport ever played on every continent in the entire history of the world, in less than two hours …

Festival Plus returns for the second year with a week of dance, music, theatre, master classes and much more, from 2nd – 6th July. This year, Peterborough gets the opportunity to experience a taster of the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival material: leading comedic conjuror and star of the BBC’s The Magicians, Pete Firman, performs brand new material for his forthcoming Edinburgh appearance, as does Peterborough’s very own Mark Grist. Maison Foo will also be performing their Edinburgh Festival sell-out show, Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin, a topsy turvy tale for grown-ups. The week will end with the Key Theatre opening its doors to a Through the Looking Glass experience, with unexpected performances taking place in every corner.

The Peterborough Arts Festival also provides the back drop to the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations on the city’s Embankment on 3rd July, organised by Peterborough City Council working in partnership with Vivacity and Voyager Academy. World renowned Close Act will provide an unforgettable welcome to the Olympic Flame, and there will be an exclusive performance of the specially commissioned Song for Peterborough by schools and communities from across the city with the Peterborough Male Voice Choir. More information about the Olympic Torch Relay can be found at www.peterborough.gov.uk/OlympicTorchRelay.

The grand Festival Finale returns to Central Park on 7 – 8 July for a weekend of epic entertainment!

The fun begins on Saturday 7th July at 12 noon with the Demon Barbers turning traditional Morris dancing on its head with their memorable Time Gentlemen Please. Visitors can have a go themselves at the Big Dance Workshops taking place throughout the weekend.
Families will enjoy a visit to a vast (50ft!) inflatable whale, where they might encounter a shipwrecked Pirate and real live Mermaid, or a visit to the Monster Take Away, where you can create your very own custom monster. At the other end of the scale, you can visit the Insect Circus Museum to behold the Liberty Beetles and Cheeky Ladybirds!

Throughout the weekend, there will be entertainment in every corner, from live literature, acoustic performances, music workshops and art displays.

Headliners Hard-Fi round off Saturday’s fun with some of their much-loved hits plus new material from their newly released album. Sunday’s programme is kicked off with the award winning Peterborough Male Voice Choir and Peterborough Voices. Don’t miss the renowned Orchestra Da Camera, who will be performing music from all corners of the British Isles to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee on Sunday evening. Bring a picnic and enjoy a magical end to a magical Festival!

The 2012 Festival is sponsored by Perkins Engines Company Limited as part of their own 80th anniversary celebrations which take place this year. Perkins employees will participate directly in many parts of the Festival, with art, dance, poetry and music workshops and performances taking place at Perkins Eastfield facility in the lead up to the event. There will also be a dedicated Perkins exhibition within the Festival Community Zone in Central Park, which will celebrate the company’s eighty year heritage and involvement with Peterborough, and invite people of all ages to take a ‘hands on’ approach to engineering.

The Arts Festival is also supported by funding from Arts Council England, with the aim of growing the Peterborough Festival into a world class platform for artists and providing a strong arts focus for the city.

Lisa Helin, Vivacity’s Cultural Development Manager, commented:
‘This year’s line-up is the strongest ever, and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase such a range of artists in Peterborough. With the support of the Arts Council, we’ve been working closely with partners such as Norwich Arts Centre and SeaChange Arts in order bring in talented new musicians and leading international artists alongside more established names. We expect attendance to be the biggest ever, creating a fantastic profile for arts and heritage within Peterborough.’

Ennodio Ramos, Perkins Sales and Marketing Director, added:
‘We’re delighted to be working with Vivacity on this year’s Peterborough Arts Festival. We hope many of our employees and their families will take an active role in the two-week festival, which is going to be a great event for our city.’

The full programme of acts is available in the 2012 Festival brochure, available from
the Key Theatre and venues across the city, or via the dedicated Festival website, www.peterboroughfestival.co.uk. Ticketed events are now on sale from the Key Theatre Box Office on 01733 207239.