Poets Support 'Books Are My Bag' at Ye Olde Murenger, Newport

Report by Screwpacket Playwright's very own Will Cross: Promoting ' Books Are My Bag' : On Wednesday 8th October 2014 I gate-crashed the Open Mic Spoken Word Extravaganza 11. Featuring poets: Kit Lambert, Anna Lewis , Bernard Pearson, Alan Roderick, Julie Pritchard, Francis Smith and others. This was a gathering at Ye Olde Murenger House, Newport, the City's literary pub. Since last November Alan Roderick has been masterminding fundraising here for the Handpost Community Library Association to help re-open the former Stow Hill Library. It was a well attended, cosy, easy-going evening of fun and verse. Book Midden’s own Bernard Pearson ( author of the book "Steaming Light" ) was in cracking form with some memorable pieces about the Party Political Conferences and a particularly moving poem he wrote after the death of his mother. The headline poets Kit Lambert and Anna Lewis were slick, clever and funny. Kit's reputation for poems about cheese was maintained. Anna read from a recent anthology. Alan Roderick ( who is a founder member with Monty Dart and I of Screwpacket Playwrights, Newport ) was at his most whimsical and esoteric. Julie Pritchard and Francis Smith read from anthologies, recently published. They were all a delight to meet and chat. The good will was teeming with good will and the pleasure of hearing the great use of language and humour. Many of the poets appearing agreed to have a photograph taken in support of ‘Books Are My Bag’. Monty Dart and John Briggs were the snappers. Much thanks to them. The photographs were posted on Twitter and Facebook. Next event in this series of Opens Mic sessions organised by Alan Roderick is on Wednesday 19th November 2014 for Open Mic Spoken Word Extravaganza 12. Featuring: Mab Jones, Tom Phillips, Bernard Pearson, Alan Roderick. At Ye Olde Murenger House, Newport. Starts 7.30 p.m. £5 admission on the door (£3 concessions). Go along and perform yourself or just sit back and enjoy. Will Cross, Screwpacket Playwrights, Newport. Any comments please e-mail Will williecross@aol.com or complete the comments form.

Pop Up BookShop : The Riverfront Theatre Newport: 10th October : Books Are My Bag

Book Signing by William Cross and Monty Dart on 10th October 2014, at Newport’s Riverfront Theatre 5pm-9pm. In support of "Books Are My Bag" Campaign ( to celebrate bookshops) and raise funds for the local production of the Chartist musical "The Forgotten" and The Abergavenny Community Cafe. ” Newport Authors, Monty Dart and William Cross will be at a pop up bookshop at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport, Kingsway, Newport NP20 1HG on Friday 10th October from 5pm until 9pm signing copies of their latest books Monty’s “ Who Killed Dripping Lewis? : The Unsolved Murder in Pontypool in 1939” and Will’s “ The Abergavenny Witch Hunt: An account of the prosecution of over twenty homosexuals in a small Welsh town in 1942.” Proceeds of the evening will go to local projects, including Screwpacket Playwrights, Newport and the Abergavenny Community Cafe. It is hoped that a number of guest writers, poets and artists from South Wales will also pop in during the course of the evening, to support “Books Are My Bag”. http://www.booksaremybag.com/ Any enquiries, please e-mail Will Cross williecross@aol.com Screwpacket Playwrights, Newport are dedicated to delivering plays of social conscience.