Changing Locations, The Laureate Years & Nigel

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This week I had an interesting dilemma in my daily writing practise. I had to shift the location of a story I was busy writing. It's to be set in 1939 and I badly wanted the action to take place in the same part of London, down in the shadow of the Tower, as one I've just finished - but that was set 100 years earlier. However, there are some parts of the world that have just changed too much. The people I wanted to write about would not have lived in dear old Griffin's Wharf in 1939. So Walthamstow it is, then.
Photo by Jennifer Pittam

I was charmed this week to be invited to a book launch on Zoom. Mel Wardle Woodend was the 'Staffordshire Laureate' during Covid Lockdown, and one of several touchstones for me during that awful time. I had been used to mixing with other writers in person; evening classes at the City Lit, writing groups, a talk and a glass of wine in Daunt's Bookshop. 

All that ended abruptly in March 2020 of course, and when I saw an advert for Mel's Poetry get togethers I did not at first realise you were supposed to live in Staffordshire to take part. Luckily I was made so welcome and have sweet memories of those Zooms. Now, Mel's publisher, Clayhanger Press, has released a book 'The Laureate Collection'.
The evening was spirited, funny and so well run; the verse, read live by a selection of invited Staffordshire poets was edgy and cutting. Mel's story, of how she, a person who earned her living as a performance poet, awoke one morning to discover that she had lost much of her hearing was heart-rending; not least her bravery. For those who have followed that journey, one of the most inspiring aspects was the part her Hearing Assistance Dog, Kirrie, has played in her adjustment to disability and her challenging attitude to its limitations. Do buy her book.




I do enjoy quirky British folklore, so I loved this week's bit of prize news - that The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire, held it's third 'Nigel Night' this week. The landlord of this beautiful 18th century coaching inn, Nigel Smith, founded the event in 2019.




 He had discovered the horrific truth - that no British babies had been given the name Nigel in the year 2016. Perhaps the name might die out entirely - but no, 434 men named Nigel attended his first record-breaking 'Nigel Night', thus setting a world record. In addition to providing a fantastic, quirky weekend for many Nigels and Nigellas, the event raises funds for the British Heart Foundation.




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