perspectives CHELTENHAMARTSCULTURE

Cheltenham Arts Council: awards_funding_publicity_events listings

The art of politics PLUS: SNAPSHOT! • Local poets • Cheltenham Festivals

February - May 2015

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13-21 JUNE 2015 CALL FOR ARTISTS Meet the artists, view their work, learn about their practice.

To join in, visit: cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk for more information or contact [email protected]

LillipuT ConcertS Music for tiny peoplE

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To advertise in Perspectives and reach our audience of arts lovers in the Cheltenham area, please email [email protected] perspectives PERSPECTIVES FEBRUARY /MAY 2015 Issue CONTENTS Celebrating the past, The Art of Politics 2 looking to the future Snapshot! Cheltenham Camera Club is 150 4 When I was asked to edit Perspectives magazine, I was Listings 6 delighted to take on the role. The magazine is a glimpse into the lively cultural scene of Cheltenham; a vignette A Warm Welcome for of the talent, enthusiasm and creativity that bubbles up Cheltenham Festivals’ CEO 11 throughout the town every day. Wise Words: A Selection of Local Poetry 12 My aim as editor is to include just a few ... And who things each season that have caught knows what my eye and which reflect the breadth of activity taking place amongst the the future members of Cheltenham Arts Council. This edition, we look to the past as holds Cheltenham Camera Club (CCC) celebrates its 150 year anniversary. We look to the future, as the new Chief Executive of Cheltenham Festivals, CHELTENHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, see listings Louise Emerson, shares her vision for 2015 and beyond. And who knows what the future holds for Cheltenham MP frontrunners, Martin Horwood and Alex Chalk; we chat about what the arts and culture mean to them. Each edition, we will also showcase local talent and I am delighted to include work by Cheltenham photographers, writers and poets – including a charming, recently unearthed Sonnet dating back to 1919. I am grateful to Charlton Kings Local History Society and Cheltenham Poetry Society for sharing their work and to Ben Vickers, a finalist in CCC’s Gloucestershire Young Photographer of the Year 2014, for the front cover image.

CHELTENHAM CAMERA CLUB I’ve always enjoyed reading Perspectives and I hope you PHOTO: Sandy Fothergill will too! Do get in touch if you’d like to comment or add anything: [email protected] Hollie Smith-Charles Cheltenham Arts Council Perspectives is produced three times a year. The next PERSPECTIVES TEAM issue will span June – September 2015. EDITOR HOLLIE SMITH-CHARLES LISTINGS Alice Hodsdon Submission (ads and events) must be with us by the end of APRIL for consideration for TEMPLATE DESIGN Chantal Freeman the next issue. Please email event details to [email protected]

COVER NEON BY BEN VICKERS, AGE 10 2 Arts THE ART OF POLITICS WHAT MIGHT THE POLITICAL FUTURE HOLD FOR CULTURE IN CHELTENHAM? BY HOLLIE SMITH-CHARLES

lections are not won or lost on arts policy. As reluctant as those of us E passionate about the value of the arts might be to admit it, investment in local theatres or festivals is unlikely to swing people’s decisions on polling day. But the arts are a vital part of Cheltenham’s soul and – being an island of yellow in a sea of blue – the town is a key battleground for the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in 2015. So which candidate can truly say he belongs to the arty party? I went to meet the two frontrunners to find out more about their views and experiences of culture in Cheltenham.

MARTIN HORWOOD Martin Horwood Martin Horwood, Cheltenham’s Liberal Democrat MP, is very knowledgeable and specialist performing arts venue, perhaps very upbeat about the local arts scene. His via the new Cheltenham Trust (of which own passion, believe it or not, is for comics he is a trustee) and he is delighted that – he “dabbled” as a political cartoonist the University is re-discovering its rich before his reputation as a satirist heritage as a school of art, gradually threatened to overtake his profile as an MP demonstrating that Cheltenham is also a and is terribly excited about Cheltenham’s centre of excellence in the contemporary latest offering, True Believers Comic visual arts. Festival, in February 2015. Culture is a USP for Cheltenham “in It is the “new and quirky” success stories quite a serious way”, he says, offering a that really energise him – the popularity high level of excellence and significant of the Gardens Gallery in Montpellier; economic impact. He lobbied hard, and the depth of community arts, such as successfully, for the two institutions which 2014’s Behind Closed Doors, which worked receive three-year strategic grants from with residents in one of Cheltenham’s the Arts Council – Cheltenham Festivals most challenged neighbourhoods and and the Everyman Theatre – to have this exhibited at The Wilson; the support from funding maintained until at least 2017, metropolitan audiences for niche events going against the prevailing trend. He such as the Design Festival. is riled by the argument that London’s world class arts scene deserves the greater Cheltenham is on the edge, he thinks, public subsidy it continues to receive – of having a brilliant cultural offer. He what is Cheltenham Literature Festival, would like to see the town develop a Martin points out, if not world class? – and perspectives Arts 3

would like to see regional arts developed further, with Cheltenham leading the way. He is optimistic and believes that if we are serious about developing regional economies to counter-balance an over- heated South-East, then culture is a key part of this conversation.

ALEX CHALK It seems mean asking someone with two very young children about his cultural life – as anyone with babies knows, doing anything more sophisticated than CBeebies is a challenge. But Alex Chalk, the Conservative prospective MP for ALEX CHALK Cheltenham, keeps his hand in with a book of poetry by his bed and regular All encouraging words, but how does that attendance at Cheltenham Festivals, of tally with current Conservative arts policy which he is a Patron. and funding cuts? For Alex, it’s about A workshop at the Playhouse, aged eleven, investment. Culture, he says, is one of the sparked his lifelong enthusiasm for the things Britain does best and its economic performing arts and, unsurprisingly, he is value is immense. He believes funding also passionate about the role of culture levels should remain sufficient to support in Cheltenham. He brought the Culture this economic clout because the sector Secretary, Sajid Javid, to last year’s Music often has revenue-raising potential in the Festival and thinks the Festivals play a long-term. He is also keen to encourage big role in putting us on the map. He a US-style culture of philanthropy in wants to cement our place on the nation’s Britain. It’s a goal he recognises may cultural trail and see the town grow into a be a pipe dream but believes voluntary cultural destination throughout the year, investment is an important part of the for example with high profile exhibitions future for the arts. at The Wilson.

The parliamentary candidates for Cheltenham 2015, at the time of going to press are: • Peter Bowman, UKIP • Alex Chalk, Conservative • Martin Horwood, Liberal Democrats • Richard Lupson-Darnell, Independent • Adam Van Coevorden, Green Party

CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 4 PHOTOGRAPHY SNAPSHOT! CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF CHELTENHAM CAMERA CLUB BY DAVID ELDER

n 1865, Dr Edward Wilson, father of the At heart it has always been an amateur famous Antarctic explorer by the same club but amended its membership rules in I name, helped to co-found Cheltenham 1936 to allow professional photographers Photographic Society. It is Britain’s to join, such as Hugo van Wadenoyen sixth oldest amateur photographic society whose studios at 79, The Promenade are and with over 140 current members, commemorated by the club with a Civic Cheltenham Camera Club, as it is now Society Blue Plaque. known, continues to thrive in today’s Outings have always featured strongly digital age. in the club’s calendar, the Cheltenham Examiner, for example, reporting on the 1871 excursion to Woodchester Park when “some very good pictures were secured in spite of a rather cloudy day”. In 2015, as part of the sesquicentennial celebrations, the club plans to recreate one of the original excursions made to Raglan Castle. Regular club exhibitions have contributed greatly to Cheltenham’s local arts scene. Back in 1896, its first major exhibition attracted 900 national as well as local entries covering “every branch of the art.” CCC excursion WITH Sir John Packenham

CCC outing to Chedworth, 1920s. Photograph by Jean Krier perspectives PHOTOGRAPHY 5

Kunz Patisserie, The Promenade, Cheltenham, 1911. Photograph BY Jean Krier

Cheltenham Camera Club outing, 1920s. Photograph by Jean Krier ‘ The Spa Harp Trio’ better known as ‘The Thirsty Three’, The Promenade, Cheltenham, c.1920. Photograph by Eric Franks As the club looks optimistically to the next 150 years might bring! future, it is interesting to reflect on the If you would like to find out about our huge technological advances. In 1909, varied programme and competitions, for example, members excitedly looked including Gloucestershire Young forward to new advances offered by colour Photographer of the Year, please come film and slide technologies, whilst 90 years along to a meeting at Holy Apostles later we began a pioneering new journey Church Hall, London Road, Thursdays at into digital photography. I wonder what the 7.30pm from September to May.

We welcome photographers of all ages, interests and abilities within a friendly and supportive environment. VISIT cheltenhamcameraclub.co.uk for more information

CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 6 EVENTS

Events for february – MAY 2015

VISUAL ARTS AT THE GARDENS GALLERY, Portraiture Children’s MONTPELLIER GARDENS: Activity Tue 17 Feb, 10.30- 3pm, £5 (children free with 10AM-5PM DAILY, adult), Holst Birthplace AS LISTED: Museum, find portraits of University of Holst and his family and make Gloucestershire Wed 25 your own. Feb - Tue 3 Mar, Year 2 BA Easter Boxes Children’s fine art photography. LINDA DAVIES AT GROUP EXHIBITION Activity Tue 31 Mar, 10.30- Pascale Caloun Wed 4- Tue Gardens Gallery, 8 - 14 APRIL 3pm, £5 (children free with 10 Mar, French Connection: MUSIC adult), Holst Birthplace photographs, illustrations. Museum, make an Easter Box Kerry Halloran Wed 11- Blue Moon Harmony to carry chocolate eggs. Tue 17 Mar, contemporary Rehearsals every Thu, Art Playground: the Art Maze graphic design. 7.30pm, Bishop’s Cleeve Wed 1- Sun 19 Apr, explore for Rupert Aker Wed 18- Tue Primary School, friendly free, Cheltenham Town Centre, 24 Mar, oil paintings of mixed chorus recruiting art installation for ages 0-100+. Cotswold landscapes. new members. See artplayground.org.uk Christine Smith Tel. 01242 251531, Regency Silhouettes Wed 25- Tue 31 Mar. bluemoonharmony.co.uk Children’s Activity Tue 7 Apr, Emthonjeni Trust: Art in Cleeve Harmony 10.30-3pm, £5(children free Aid of Aids Rehearsals every Wed, with adult), Holst Birthplace Wed 1- Tue 7 Apr. 7.30pm, £3, Bishop’s Cleeve Museum, make silhouette Linda Davies, Sue Durkin Tithe Barn, badges inspired by Regency & Sallie Taylor info: 07737 280336 history. Wed 8- Tue 14 Apr. cleeve-harmony.org.uk the open west 2015 Sat 16 Cheltenham Art Club Wed Cheltenham Opera May - Sun 28 Jun, The Wilson, 15- Tue 21 Apr, exhibition of Society: Semiramide Sat contemporary & conceptual members’ work. 7 Feb, 2-6.45pm, £5 non- art. Deadline for submissions Lois Parker Wed 22- Tue 28 members, St Andrew’s 20 Feb. theopenwest.org.uk Apr, glass & mixed media. Church, Montpellier, COS 15: Cheltenham Open JAZZarte: Cheltenham Rossini. Dvd of 1990 Met Studios Sat 13- Sun 21 Jun, Group of Artists Wed 29 Opera production. Tea in 200+ artists. To join in visit Apr- Tue 5 May, exhibition 2nd interval. cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk on a Jazz theme to coincide Cheltenham Chamber with the Jazz Festival. Orchestra Sat 7 Feb, Cheltenham Camera Club 7.30pm, St Andrew’s Wed 13- Tue 19 May, an Church, Montpellier, music overview of the club’s work. by J S Bach, directed by Rita Thorn Wed 20- Tue 26 Warwick Cole. May, mixed media, pieces Cheltenham Music on canvas & paper, floral Society: Prazak Quartet interpretations. Wed 11 Feb, 8pm, Pittville Nicki Gwynn-Jones Wed Pump Room, Dvorak, Suk, 27 May - Tue 2 Jun, fine art Smetana. PASCALE CALOUN AT THE photography. French connection EXHIBITION, GARDENS GALLERY cheltmusicsoc.co.uk 4 -10 MARCH 2015 perspectives EVENTS 7

Events for february – MAY 2015

Cheltenham Opera Society, Cheltenham Bach Choir, Cheltenham Symphony Pelleas et Melisande Tue 17 French Choral Concert Sat Orchestra, Northern Feb, 7pm, £5 non-members, St 28 Mar, 7.30pm, Cirencester Lights 3 Sat 9 May, 7.30pm, Andrew’s Church, Montpellier, Parish Church, Vierne: £16/14/u-15 free, Pittville Debussy. Talk by Simon Rees. Messe Solennelle, Duruflé: Pump Room, Nielsen: Cheltenham Symphony Unaccompanied Motets Overture Helios, Flute Orchestra, Northern Lights2 Based on Gregorian Chant, concerto FS 119, Sibelius: Sat 28 Feb, 7.30pm, £16/14/u- Fauré, Poulenc. Symph No.5 in E flat major. 15 free, Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham Opera Charlton Kings Choral Grieg: Norwegian Dances, Society & English touring Society & Cheltenham Piano concerto in A minor, Opera Thu 9 Apr, 12pm, Symphony Orchestra Sat Sibelius: Symph No.1 in E £8, St Andrew’s Church, 23 May, 7.30pm, £15/10, minor. Montpellier, recital of opera Holy Apostles Church, Cheltenham Opera Society, arias and duets. London Rd, Vaughan The Siege of Calais, The Wild Great Western Chorus Williams, Elgar, Sibelius. Man of the West Indies & La with Cleeve Harmony Tickets 01451 822110. Sat 11 Apr, 7.30pm, Pate’s Boheme Sun 1 Mar, 3pm + tea, Cheltenham Opera Grammar School, tickets in £5 non-members, St Andrew’s Society, Pelleas et aid of charity, see cleeve- Church, Montpellier, talk by Melisande: Debussy Fri harmony.org.uk English Touring Opera on 29 May, Wales Millennium Cheltenham Choral Donizetti & Puccini operas on Centre, Cardiff, coach Society Sat 18 Apr, 7.30pm, at Everyman in Apr. from Cheltenham. See Holy Apostles Church, Musica Vera ‘Come and Sing cheltenhamoperasociety. London Rd, Mozart: Day’ & Concert Sat 7 Mar, org.uk Requiem and Vespers. from 10.30am, concert 7.30pm, Cheltenham Music Christ Church, workshops Society: Parnassius Piano on Handel’s Israel in Egypt. Duo Thu 23 Apr, 8pm, To take part: 01242 517258. Pittville Pump Room, Proceeds to charity. Clementi, Shostakovich, Cheltenham Music Society: Vacchi, Beethoven. Tallis Scholars Thu 19 Mar, cheltmusicsoc.co.uk 7.30pm, Pittville Pump Room, Alexandra Dariescu, soloist with CSO, 28 Cheltenham Opera February, Pittville pump room choral music inc. Allegri’s Society, AGM + Maria Miserere, Tallis, Cornysh, Callas filmSat 2 May, STAGE & SCREEN Byrd, Tavener and Arvo Pärt. 5.30pm, tea 5pm, St Cheltenham Festival of cheltmusicsoc.co.uk Andrew’s Church, Performing Arts Tue 5 - Churchdown Male Voice Montpellier, Callas Assoluta Sun 10 & Tue 12 - Sun 17 Choir Sat 21 Mar, 7.30pm, St 6pm, followed by buffet and May, Town Hall, Bethesda Peter’s Gloucester, in support Callas cds/dvds. Church, Subtone, variety of the Samaritans. Cheltenham Festival of of Music, Dance, Speech & Cheltenham Philharmonic Performing Arts, Tue 5 Drama. Orchestra Sun 22 Mar, 3pm, - Sun 10 & Tue 12 - Sun 17 Sister Act: Cheltenham £10, Pittville Pump Room, May, Town Hall, Bethesda Operatic and Dramatic inc. Brahms: St Anthony Church, Subtone, a variety Society Tue 19- Sat 23 Variations & Duruflé: Three of Music, Dance, Speech & May, 7.30pm, 2pm Sat mat., Dances. Drama. Everyman Theatre. CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 8 EVENTS

Events for february – MAY 2015

Church House, Painswick Cheltenham Local History POETRY FESTIVAL Road, détails à suivre. Society, Cheltenham: PREVIEW WEEKEND Cheltenham Writers’ the Architecture of a All events at Cheltenham Circle Mon 2 Feb, 7.30pm, Victorian Town Tue 17 Feb, Playhouse, tickets £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt 7.30pm, £1 visitors, Council 01242 522852, see Terrace, encouraging Chamber, Municipal cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk creative writing at all levels. Offices, with Adrian Barlow. for events in the festival Theme: The Bargain. Cheltenham Poetry itself: 23 April- 4 May. Cheltenham Poetry Society Reading Group Joyce Grenfell Society Workshop Tue Meeting Tue 17 Feb, 7-10pm, Monologues Sat 7 Mar, 3 Feb, 7-10pm, £5 (£3 £3, Parmoor House, Lypiatt 2pm, £6/4, Playhouse New subscribers), Parmoor Terrace, info: Sharon Larkin Drama perform songs and House, Lypiatt Terrace, 07540 329389. sketches. info: Sharon Larkin 07540 Leckhampton Local Sat 7 Mar, John Hegley 329389. History Society, Open 4pm, £10/8, fusion of poetry, Cheltenham Italian Evening Thu 19 Feb, 8pm, song and stand-up. Society, Messina: la sua £2 visitors, Church House, Dead Poets, Live! Sat 7 storia gloriosa ed eroica Painswick Road, research Mar, 6pm, £6/4, Inspired Mon 9 Feb, 7.30pm, £3, reports. Playhouse actors interpret Parmoor House, Lypiatt Prestbury Local History popular classic poems. Terrace, with Pina Clarke. Society, Bouncers Lane Festival Music Hall Sat 7 In Italian. Mon 23 Feb, 7.30pm, W.I. Mar, 7.45pm, £10/8, comedy, Civic Society, Old Hall, Prestbury, talk by monologue, poetry, and Cheltenham on Film Rebecca Sillence. updated singalong songs. Tue 10 Feb, 7.30pm, £4 (£2 AF Harrold presents The Charlton Kings Local members), Parmoor House, History Society Imaginary Sun 8 Mar, 11am, Lypiatt Terrace, Part Two of AGM + talk, Tue 24 Feb, £6/4, poetry show for kids Roger Jones’ presentation. and the young at heart. 7.30pm, Baptist Church, Cercle Français, Le cliché Charlton Kings talk on Ann Drysdale: Between Mon 16 Feb, 7.30pm, Church Dryden & Duffy Sun 8 Mar, Kings House, Charlton House, Painswick Road, Kings, with Peter Granger. 2pm, £6/4, a poet renowned with Tony Callen. for captivating readings. Cheltenham German Cheltenham Writers’ With Philip Rush. Club, Paläste des Hauses Circle Mon 16 Feb, 7.30pm, Sun 8 Hannover Fri 27 Feb, 7 for Boundless Brothers £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Mar, 8pm, £10/8, ebullient 7.50pm, Parmoor House, Terrace, encouraging British folk-pop. Lypiatt Terrace, with creative writing at all levels. Dr Wolf Burchard. Info: Theme: No Hiding Place. cheltenhamgermanclub. LECTURES & MEETINGS Historical Association, webs.com, or 01242 245349. Gloucester, the All Golds Cheltenham German Cercle Français, La Corse, and the path not taken Club Stammtisch twice une région à part? Mon 2 Mon 16 Feb, 7.30pm, £3 a month, for details see Mar, 7.30pm, Church House, visitors, Teaching Block, cheltenhamgermanclub. Painswick Road, with Park Campus, the social webs.com Cédric Cabanne. history of rugby in the Cercle Français, Soirée South West, with Prof. Tony Cheltenham Writers’ filmMon 2 Feb, 7.30pm, Collins. Circle Mon 2 Mar, 7.30pm, perspectives EVENTS 9

Events for february – MAY 2015

£2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Cheltenham Poetry Theme: Lost and Found. Terrace, encouraging Society Reading Group Cheltenham Poetry creative writing at all levels. Meeting Tue 17 Mar, Society Workshop Tue Theme: The Journey. 7-10pm, £3, Parmoor House, 7 Apr, 7-10pm, £5 (£3 Cheltenham Poetry Lypiatt Terrace, info: Sharon subscribers), Parmoor Society Special Workshop, Larkin 07540 329389. House, Lypiatt Terrace, Tue 3 Mar, 7-10pm, £5, Leckhampton Local info: Sharon Larkin 07540 Parmoor House, Lypiatt History Society, VC 329389. Terrace, led by Guest Winners in St Peter’s Cercle Français Mon Poet, Michael Thomas. Churchyard Thu 19 Mar, 13 Apr, 7.30pm, Church Info: Sharon Larkin 07540 8pm, £2 visitors, Church House, Painswick Road, 329389. House, Painswick Road, Contributions des Cheltenham Italian with Chris Wesley. Membres, détails à suivre. Society, Italian Prisoners Cheltenham German Club, Cheltenham Italian of War in Glos 1941-45 Licht in Deutschland, Die Society, Roma città aperta Mon 9 Mar, 7.30pm, £3, deutsche Aufklärung aus Mon 13 Apr, 7.30pm, £3, Parmoor House, Lypiatt englischer Sicht Fri 20 Parmoor House, Lypiatt Terrace, with Ian M. C. Mar, 7 for 7.50pm, Parmoor Terrace, il mito della Hollingsbee. In English. House, Lypiatt Terrace, Reistenza nel cinema with Prof. T J Reed. Info: Historical Association, italiano del dopoguerra. cheltenhamgermanclub. Gladstone and the coming With Paola Nasti. In Italian. webs.com, or 01242 245349. of democracy Mon 9 Cheltenham Writers’ Prestbury Local History Mar, 7.30pm, £3 visitors, Circle, Mon 13 Apr, 7.30pm, Society, The W.I. in Teaching Block, Park £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Prestbury Mon 23 Mar, Campus, with Dr Laurence Terrace, encouraging 7.30pm, W.I. Hall, Prestbury, Goldman. creative writing at all inc. AGM. Cercle Français, Toulouse, levels. AGM & Competition Cheltenham Poetry Results. je te conjuguerai au Society, The Musicality of Cheltenham Local History passé, au présent et au Welsh Poetry Tue 24 Mar, Society, The Indefatigable futur, Mon 16 Mar, 7.30pm, 6.30-8pm, £3, Pittville Room, Mr Cotham Tue 14 Apr, Church House, Painswick Municipal Offices, Annual 10am, £1, St Luke’s Hall, talk Road, with Joel Binet. Lecture, with speaker on a pioneering priest who Cheltenham Writers’ Sharon Larkin. Info: 07540 built St Gregory’s Church, Circle Mon 16 Mar, 7.30pm, 329389. by Joanna Vials. £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Charlton Kings Local Historical Association, Terrace, encouraging History Society Charles Magna Carta and English creative writing at all levels. Hale: Musician and Town history Wed 15 Apr, 7.30pm, Presentation: TBC. Surveyor, Tue 24 Mar £3 visitors, Teaching Block, Cheltenham Local 7.30pm, Baptist Church, Park Campus, with Prof. History Society, Charlton Kings with Nigel Saul. New Archaeological Carolyn Greet. Discoveries in Glos Cheltenham Writers’ Glos Gardens & Landscape Tue 17 Mar, 7.30pm, £1 Circle Mon 30 Mar, 7.30pm, Trust, Shakespeare and visitors, Council Chamber, £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Gardens Thu 16 Apr, 7pm, Municipal Offices, with Terrace, encouraging £6 (£4 members), Parmoor Tony Roberts. creative writing at all levels. House, Lypiatt Terrace, with

CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 10 EVENTS

Events for february – MAY 2015

Dr Paula Henderson. gglt. History Society Gustav cheltenhamgermanclub. org Holst and the Holst webs.com, or 01242 245349. Leckhampton Local Museum, Tue 28 Apr Cercle Français AGM History Society, 7.30pm, Baptist Church, Mon 18 May, 7.30pm, Ullenwood Court US Charlton Kings with Angela Church House, Painswick Military Hospital Thu Applegate. Road, suivi par une 16 Apr, 8pm, £2 visitors, Cheltenham Poetry mini-conférence (sujet à Church House, Painswick Society Festival préciser). Road, with Michael Cuttell. Performance Wed 29 Apr, Prestbury Local History Cheltenham German 8.30-9.30pm, venue TBA, Society, Prestbury United Club, Bavaria: a personal info: Sharon Larkin 07540 Reformed Church, Mon selection Fri 17 Apr, 7 for 329389. 18 May, 7.30pm, United 7.50pm, Parmoor House, Cheltenham Poetry Reformed Church, talk by Lypiatt Terr, with Gordon Society with Jubilate Fiona Hall. Mclachlan, in English. Info: Chamber Choir Sat 9 May, Cheltenham Local History cheltenhamgermanclub. time TBA, The Chapel, Society AGM + talk webs.com, or 01242 245349. Francis Close Hall, info: Tue 19 May, 7.30pm, £1 Cheltenham Local History Sharon Larkin 07540 visitors, Council Chamber, Society, The Civil War in 329389. Municipal Offices, followed the Cotswolds Tue 21 Apr, Cheltenham Italian by ‘Blood, Guts and a Little 7.30pm, £1 visitors, Council Society AGM + talk off the Top’, by John Putley. Chamber, Municipal Mon 11 May, 7.30pm, £3, Cheltenham Poetry Offices, with John Paddock. Parmoor House, Lypiatt Society Reading Group Cheltenham Poetry Terrace, Signor Domenico Meeting Tue 19 May, Society Reading Group Geracitano: Il brigantaggio 7-10pm, £3, Parmoor House, Meeting Tue 21 Apr, nell’Italia meridionale Lypiatt Terrace, info: Sharon 7-10pm, £3, Parmoor House, del XIX secolo. In Italian. Larkin 07540 329389. Lypiatt Terrace, info: Sharon Cheltenham Writers’ Leckhampton Local Larkin 07540 329389. Circle Mon 11 May, 7.30pm, History Society AGM + Cercle Français, Claude £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt talk Thu 21 May, 8pm, £2 Michelet, auteur Terrace, encouraging visitors, Church House, contemporain Mon 27 Apr, creative writing at all levels. Painswick Road, followed 7.30pm, Church House, Theme: Second Chance. by ‘The Cotswold Hunt & Painswick Road, with Civic Society, Robert Local Smithies’ by Amy Germaine Jones. Stokes: Architect of Woolacott. Cheltenham Writers’ Pittville Tue 12 May, Cheltenham Poetry Circle Mon 27 Apr, 7.30pm, 7.30pm, £4 (£2 members), Society Annual Awayday £2, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Parmoor House, Lypiatt Thu 21 May, 9.45-4.30pm, Terrace, encouraging Terrace, talk by James writing retreat. Info, venue, creative writing at all levels. Hodsdon on the architect of cost: Sharon Larkin 07540 Theme: The Locket. Pittville Gates. 329389. PLHS, launch of Cheltenham German Club, Cheltenham Writers’ Prestbury: A Walk Generalversammlung Circle Mon 25 May, 7.30pm, Through Time Mon 27 Apr, Fri 15 May, 7 for 7.50pm, £2, Theme ‘The Code’ 7.30pm, W.I. Hall, Prestbury, Parmoor House, Lypiatt Parmoor House, Lypiatt with Roger Beacham. Terr, AGM, Kleines Büfett, Terr, encouraging creative Charlton Kings Local Mitgliederabend. Info: writing at all levels. perspectives FESTIVALS 11

A WARM AND EXCITING WELCOME BY LOUISE EMERSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CHELTENHAM FESTIVALS

arrived in Cheltenham in the dark and Cheltenham Festivals are hugely just as it started to get very cold; so it important to the area and to how I was a real pleasure that my first events Cheltenham and Gloucestershire are in the town were the exact opposite. positioned nationally, bringing unique Within two weeks of starting as the CEO events – often in intimate settings – of Cheltenham Festivals, in November opportunities for excellent educational 2014, I felt excited and supported by engagement and stimulating debates to two early events that influenced my first thousands of children and adults across impressions. the UK and beyond. It is exciting to arrive in Cheltenham just as the Cheltenham Trust is established, which brings a great opportunity for the Festivals to offer our experience, creativity and knowledge in helping create Cheltenham’s cultural future. The development of Cheltenham Festivals as the ‘must experience’ event in the UK cultural calendar will be an important ingredient in achieving this aim. There is a lot to do and these are challenging times; however we are committed to tapping into that interest in

© The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London © The Trustees 2014. All Rights Reserved. advancement, ambition and energy I felt

LOUISE EMERSON in my first few days, ensuring Cheltenham Festivals continues to get better and better. I had a really warm welcome to Cheltenham at the ‘Creativity Rocks the Cotswolds’ event in the tastefully renovated Wilson Gallery. Live art, energy and vibrant company were a great introduction to the town. Happily, the timing of my arrival meant that I could also attend one of our Patrons’ events in my second week. I felt fortunate to have such strong support and interest in our advancement from our Patrons in

my early days in the job. Our Patrons are Photograph: McPherson Stevens so important to the ongoing stability of CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Cheltenham Festivals.

cheltenhamfestivals.com

CHELTENHAM ARTS COUNCIL.CO.UK 12 POETRY WISE WORDS A SELECTION OF LOCAL POETRY, PAST AND PRESENT

CODES OF CONDUCT AT THE PALACE

There is a code The doors open by magic Only lovers know, as I wheel my silver chariot A catch of hands, into the great glass palace. A match of looks, I pass the uniformed guards A particular type of walk. and make bee-line for the bananas. This will last Then it’s the Everyday Saver yoghurt, For at least seven years, Until the familiar a Hovis Wheatgerm loaf, Stultifies. a pack of four battered portions of cod and the cat food. There will be arguments, Reconciliations. At the checkout Men grow into marriage, a Renaissance Virgin asks Women grow out of it. if I am all right with the packing. © Roger Turner There is a code Our elderly use, CACTUS BOWL That is nearer acquiescence Than true romance, A full moon, huge in a violet sky, And yet signifies beams out between rust-hued mesas. Fifty years together, Saguaro giants thrust up in the Sonora A kind of universal happiness. desert where the obligatory coyote, © Michael Newman head flung back, jaws open wide, howls at the lemon yellow moon. No sun here. She plants her garden in miniature - opuntia, mammillaria - scatters grave grit on the bowl’s surface. Wilderness will flower, barrenness banished in this northern window where a woman mourns for a golden sun.

© Sharon Larkin Cheltenham Poetry Society to find out more Visit cheltenhampoetrysoc.blogspot.co.uk

POETRY FESTIVAL PREVIEW WEEKEND 7-8 March See listings on All events at Cheltenham Playhouse, tickets 01242 522852 Page 8 for full see cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk for events in the festival itself: 23 April- 4 May. details perspectives POETRY 13

TADDINGTON, JANUARY SONNET

Verges churned by 4 by 4s All through these happy, youthful days, fight back with old CDs wired to stakes, I will be wise, and build within my mind designed to glint in headlights. A treasure chamber, filled with every kind They tinkle as we pass. Of lovely light and sound I find worth At the bend in the lane, praise. Pauline’s Veg, still unshuttered, So when the unrelenting hand of age houses sprouts and leeks, Must rob my body of its activeness, guaranteed freshness. I shall not know resentment or distress, Three discarded tractor tyres For there my soul shall find a hermitage serve as outsized tubs - And, drawing from that undecaying store robbed now of the begonias Where memory retains no power to sting, that shout us down in August. Will see earth’s glorious pageantry once Beyond the village, more permissive pathways And hear the matins of the birds in Spring, point to ancient tures, So, though all else about me may be poor, link to dewponds in stands of ash. I shall be rich in my imagining. Tractor-patterned land, Isabel Jessie Scrivens, June 1929 scuffled to a tidy tilth, falls away from unfenced roads, undulates, yearns for the return of larks. Copper-coloured slopes glimmer and dim as clouds eclipse sun. Lumpen with lamb, sheep feed on beets. Their coats assume an amber glow at sun-sink. JESSIE SCRIVENS was born in A kestrel stoops, Charlton Kings in 1900 and died there puts up a flock of fieldfare in 1984. Five of her poems, written from berried, wind-bent thorn. 1929-1931, were recently unearthed by No yellow-hammer calls now, David O’Connor of Charlton Kings no swift or swallow dives, Local History Society. Her story and just blackened skeletons poetry (including the Sonnet above, of cranesbill, knapweed, for which she collected an award at the Royal Albert Hall) feature in the willowherb, propped up Society’s 2015 Research Bulletin, out by post or drystone wall March 1st. holding hope that summer might one day come again. © Sharon Larkin

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