Books Are My Bag : Pop Up Bookshop : Riverfront Theatre : Screwpacket Writers

Will Cross writes about the Pop Up Bookshop at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport, South Wales: Members of Newport's Screwpacket Writers ( aka Screwpacket Playwrights) have taken part in a further appearance for the 'Books Are My Bag' Campaign to promote bookshops and authors. Under the banner of 'Book Midden Publishing' of Newport Will Cross and Monty Dart organised a pop up bookshop at Newport's Riverfront Theatre to tie in with the national campaign ( organised by the Book Sellers Association.) A very exciting time was had, with several Welsh writers and poets dropping by to support the campaign and have a photograph taken with a 'Books Are My Bag' bag. Among those appearing were authors John Briggs ( author of 'Newportrait' ); Daphne Condon ( author of 'Daphne's Story: The Long Journey From The Brick Building), William ( Will ) Cross ( author of 'The Abergavenny Witch Hunt', and 'Not Behind Lace Curtains' as well as books on the Carnarvons of Highclere ( read Downton Abbey ) and ( with writing partner Monty Dart) books on the Morgans of Tredegar House, Newport ; Monty Dart ( author of 'Who killed Dripping Lewis? The Pontypool Murder of 1939); David Mills ( author of 'The Williams Family of Maesruddud' ); Bernard Pearson ( author of 'Steaming Light : A Memoir of Commander John C Pearson OBE, RN'; William ( Bill Smith ) ( author of 'The History of the Tredegar Mineral Estate'). With special thanks also to a number of guests including Maureen B and Sue G who helped with setting up and manning the stalls. Our best customer was Deb Green who bought FIVE Books. Some secondhand books were sold raising a few pounds for charities. A small amount was raised also for 'THE FORGOTTEN' fund ( Screwpacket Playwrights are behind a Chartist Musical called 'THE FORGOTTEN', which will be seen at the Riverfront Theatre on 19th and 20th November, 2014. Also thanks to David Hando ( author of 'Fred J Hando, A Proud Son of Gwent' ) and Gerard Whyman ( author of 'Oddly Distracted'); Tom Dart for transport, Newport Council and Riverfront Theatre staff for logistics. The Book Sellers Association for bunting, balloons, posters etc. Members of the public who supported our appearance. Contact Will Cross for further details williecross@aol.com

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.