October 2019 meeting with Emma Pursehouse

WOLVERHAMPTON POET LAUREATE, EMMA PURSHOUSE, PERFORMS AT WWB OCTOBER MEETING.

It was yet another fulfilling session at Writers Without Borders’ monthly meeting as members were on Saturday October 5th 2019 treated to an afternoon of fun, entertainment and enlightenment by guest writer and new poet laureate for the city of Wolverhampton, Emma Purshouse.

Upon completion of the ‘business end’ of the month’s well-attended meeting, Emma took the stage and performed to the delight of WWB members, a number of her poems often providing the background to the works performed.She also shared some valuable tips based on her own experiences-ideas which would help not just in churning out wonderful performances but also in becoming great writers. At the end of it all, during a mini Q & A session, Emma took questions from WWB members on wide-ranging issues related to performances, slams (being a past poetry slam champion herself!) as well as writing in general.

Emma who is a Black Country based freelance writer and poet regularly performs across the United Kingdom. Her children’s collection, ‘I Once Knew A Poet Who Wore A Hat’ won the poetry section of the Rubery Book Award in 2016 while her latest poetry collection entitled ‘Close’ was published in October 2018.

Written by Femi Abidogun

August 2019 Monthly Meeting

The summer holidays did not diminish our numbers or our enthusiasm for sharing our work. We began with a big catch up of all the activities members had taken part in since we last met in June, including Celebrating Sancturay, Kings Heath Kharnival and The Color Purple.

We then went on to the most enjoyable part of the meeting, sharing our writing. As usual it was varied, moving and amusing.

Some of our members then went to take part in the Jamaican Independence Festival in Victoria Square, where we were joined by Sue Brown and Ita Gooden.

Kharnival in Kings Heath

WWB AT KHARNIVAL on 20th July 2019

As advertised, it was indeed an afternoon of music, food, storytelling, workshops and of course poetry at this year’s KHARNIVAL event held at Highbury Park, Moseley on Saturday 20th July 2019- the 3rd in the series of the yearly event. Just like on the previous editions, Writers Without Borders was once again invited to participate and some of its members- Fiona Wallace, Sayyara Syed, Femi Abidogun, Ann Dolan and Hamida Hanif were on hand to be a part of it all.

Although the early rains on the day seemed like it might interfere, this soon gave way to a bright sunny afternoon. Thankfully, this fine weather continued till the close of the event.

Perched under a tent in a corner of Highbury Park grounds, the writers present shared some of their writings at the drop in session taking turns.

The WWB session ended later in the day with WWB members and the few guests who attended leaving with a feeling of an afternoon well-spent.

The Color Purple

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Our annual July outing found us at the Hippodrome in Birmingham to see the highly acclaimed ‘The Color Purple’ The Musical on Thursday 18th July. We all agreed it was an outstanding performance. We were not the only ones who thought so… the performance received a standing ovation from the audience.

With Celebrating Sanctuary on 20th June 2019

Four members of WWB opened the Celebrating Sanctuary event at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on 20th June. Predencia, Ann, Martin and Lorraine shared pieces around the issue of refugees. Despite the difficulty with the microphone they were well received.

The event also included some fantastic African musicians and singers. It’s a joy to take part in these events. And lovely to see Ahmed Magrae  and Viv Yates there too.

June 2019 Meeting

It was yet another wonderful gathering of members of Writers Without Borders at our June meeting on Saturday 1st June, 2019. The meeting was chaired by core group member Shabraz Ahmed, Members were reminded of a number of events in June and July in which members are participating, including Celebrating Sanctuary on 20th June at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and  Kharnival in Kings Heath on 20th July. 
Members scheduled to perform during these events had an opportunity to rehearse their pieces and receive feedback from the group.  
 
There were twenty of us including a few ‘guests’ attending WWB for the first time.  
 
Another highlight of the meeting was a writing exercise where we wrote about inspirational objects brought in by members. There were some exceedingly strong pieces produced in the 20 minutes of the exercise. All in all, it was another summer afternoon well-spent. 

A meeting of tributes and sharing

Fiona did a great job of chairing our first meeting without Sue while she takes her sabbatical. After the usual housekeeping we paid tributes to Barbara Peterson who sadly passed away last week. Martin and Fiona read from her work which demonstrated her ability to write both seriously and humourously. Some of it had us laughing out loud.

We also paid tribute to Andrea Levy who has also sadly left this world. Predencia read from her recently dramatised The Long Song.

We then heard from members who shared their work which was, as ever, moving and engaging.

Barbara Peterson

WWB Comes of age – our 18th birthday party!

 

It was truly an amazing night. Old members, some who have been there from the start, new members, some who have only been with us a few months, and everywhere in between. There was music, there was amazing poetry, there were speeches and reminiscences, there was cake, there was drink, there was joy, there was happiness, and did I mention that there was music… well into the night. As one member commented ‘this is one of the highlights of my year’. It was one of mine too.

Some other picture of the night

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Birmingham Literature Festival 2018

Download the full programme, click HERE

Or see it online, click HERE

Enjoy!

WWB meeting report 04 August 2018

Considering it was the height of the holiday season, what a wonderful turnout of members today, 21 in all, unprecedented for the time of year we think!

Reports of the many events where WWB had been represented came thick and fast from a busy summer so far.  As is the way with this group, these were diverse and now almost international; if you count Scotland. Follow the links below:

• The Solas Festival – Perth, Scotland where two members represented Writers Without Borders under the UNESCO umbrella.
• WWB Summer Outing – Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill where  many members gathered for relaxing conversation, picnic lunch and a leisurely walk in the summer sun.
• Celebrating Sanctuary – performances in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
• KHARnival – Highbury Park, eight members shared their writing in support of the Kings Heath Action for Refugee organisation.
• Reggae Women – Midland Arts Centre, several members joined with other prestigious performers to close the ‘Beyond Windrush’ festival.

Sharing of work

A good number of the group shared their writing in splendid manner, with the usual wide range of topics and deliveries; Slave ancestors, swimming with sharks, woodland creatures Tolkien style, complex personalities, observations on life and the struggles of hidden violence and rebirth all absorbed and delighted listeners.

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WWB Birthday Party – members are reminded to book their place for themselves and guest by replying to Vivian’s email before the 01 September please!

See you all on Saturday 01 September for the next exciting meeting!