My Way!

And now, the end is near;
and so I face the final curtain...

The time has flown. From Sept 2006 to Dec 2007, I have been the writer in residency at the Lit and Phil. I have enjoyed my time.
I have enjoyed the opportunity and I will missed the limelight.
But I must move on.
The issues are still important, slavery is still happening now around the world.
I will be still researching it, writing about it and talking about it. I'll just not be doing it from the privileged position of the Lit and Phil's writer in residence.
Have I mentioned that I'm going to miss it?

I've managed to achieve a lot during this time in position. Working with local schools and organisations, opening up the Society to those hard to reach groups of people, to using the Society's archives for performances at the Sage, Newcastle University, Cumbria etc.
But the best bit was meeting all the people. All the people I have been able to meet because of this job. Being writer in residence has been my ticket into other worlds. Those worlds that were closed to me as a mere poet.
I thank the Lit and Phil, the committee, the president, the members, the staff and especially Kay Easson for this opportunity and support along the way.

I've had many emails during my time in position from friends, members, audience and participants from events leanding their support ansd congratulations.
Here is just one I'd like to share with you,

"I salute you! It is great that you have opened up this beautiful, dusty old institution and brought it new light. You looked bright and shiny moving amongst those fascinating bookshelves. And, I love the thought of a strong black woman walking the corridors where mainly the white middle and upper classes have walked before. I'm sure there is a book or even a Hollywood film in there! "

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,
when I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

Until next time
Sheree

It's All Happening

October is here already. And I love this time of year. The colours, the smells, the fresh, crisp air. Time to put on one of my many hats, gloves , scarf and embrace the coming chill. Love it. Maybe it's because I was born this time of year, or maybe it's because I get a warm glowing feeling when I see all that I've created this year come to fruition. I don't know but I do know I've got a bounce in my step and I'm ready for whatever happens.
The Lit and Phil has a new Artist in Residence, Michelle Milburn. She'll be around for a year, creating within these ancient walls, peeling back the layers to get to the true beauty. It's all happening, it's exciting.
I've got a couple of months left before I depart, and one of those months I'll be working hard, no matter what you might think, on my full collection on a retreat in Barcelona. It has to be done. But so much to do before I go.
I've got my chapbook launch 18 Oct. id on tyne has another book launch at the end of Oct 31st for Asit Maitra. There's more lectures happening with slavery, 17 October, Contemporary Slavery in Historical Perspective and then 24 Oct, Sean Creighton and his findings.It's all happening. Make sure you get involved some how.

Hello All!

Back from a lovely break and it's a year to this day that I first started at the Lit and Phil as writer in residence. It doesn't feel like a year, no way. It's been a blast, really good for the reputation if not the back balance. But it's not over yet. I'm in post till the end of the year and there's still a lot to do before that date appears.

I really working hard on the chapbook, The White of the Moon, launch event Thursday 18 October, 7pm. I say chapbook but with nearly 50 poems included, all inspired by my research here, it's going to be a chunky one at that.

This is the time when the events and activities in commemoration of the bicentenary shifts into another gear. And things start to roll out for Black History Month, so we have another few months to get the issues surrounding past and present slavery into the mainstream and onto people's agenda's. But how has this year gone? Have all these initiatives made a difference? I would love to hear what you think? Comment below, or drop me a line.

After this this writer in residence post, what next, a star spot in South Park?

Lazy Summer Days

I am so glad that the summer is here. Summer I mean as in calender wise, not weather wise. But I won't spend time talking about the rain as it will only get me depressed. But, yes, during these summer days of longer day light hours and carefree abandonment, things do shift into a slower more relaxed pace. And I'm happy about that, as the last few months have been hectic to say the least. But a lot of good things have come from this high activity.
Masquerade is one such event that came about from much industry from Maggie Tate and Ernest Young. I was just a long for the ride. One person who fed back on the night at the Sage said that the flyers that went out were not a true reflection of what happened on the night. They were blown away by the performance, the last one in three, which started at The Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle and Temple Park, leisure centre, South Shields. People in the audience were moved to tears as they were taken back in time, with the help of archival evidence found in the Lit and Phil and the local collections as the City library, to the slave ship, auction, plantation life and abolition movement.
There were national reference points, but the majority of the piece was based on the North East connections. My creative pieces were put to drum and percussion soundscapes and choral singing, as three South Tyneside schools were involved. These were nights to be proud of, as these were collaborations across the whole spectrum of the North East community, young, old, black and white. It was amazing, so much so that there had to be a higher being involved in the process, in order to create such a wonderful piece of creativity shared.
Now people are asking, what next?
I say lazy summer days as the schools break up and I, still in teacher mode, follow the call of the final bell and rest for the next 6 or 8 weeks.
Don't expect any updates during August. See you back here in September.
Enjoy the summer.

From, The White of the Moon

Lover

You touch me in so many places,
I’m left trembling and tingling.

Yet, these feelings are marred by fear.
Without you, I prefer the nights;

the darkness all around, no moon,
is like the darkness inside of me.

All day there are others around me,
but I am alone with my emptiness.

I know you are near by your scent-
polished mahogany, molasses, and by the heat

that creeps up my black skin
and reminds me to feel again,

the weight of your body on mine.
You have no idea how glorious

it is to be chosen by you,
to be held by you.

I have no voice to call you,
I have no right to love you.

Yet, I want to keep you.

Diary Dates

The Lit and Phill is a happening place, it's official. Well, just take it from me. The Lit and Phil's diary is jam packed with writers, artists, directors, playwrights, all wanting to do their thing within the Lit and Phil's walls. It's amazing how this place has taken off, now I'll take some credit for it, but I joined the team when the wheels were already turning. You've got to check out the vision and commitment of one, Kay Easson, to thank for changing the image of the Lit and Phil.
The Lit and Phil hasn't been so busy. It's the place now for all sorts of events and projects; residencies, exhibitions, readings, presentations, drama. Everybody who's anybody wants a piece of the place. I'm proud to be part of it.
What we've got lined up at the end of June, 28th from 7pm, is a chapbook launch from id on tyne press, with Katy Massey, Erin Bidlake, Gerard Rudolf and Henry Ilombu. All from different parts of the world, these writers have chosen to make the North East their home. They will be reading from their work which will create a sense of place.
And a sense of place is the theme this year and next for the Lit and Phil's literary festival. So I've gone and booked in a number of budding writers groups for the autumn season, the Buddle Arts Centre Writer's group, Tues 18th Sept and the Grainger Women's Writer's group, Wed 25th Sept, from 7pm . Each group have an anthology of their work coming out so these should be really exciting nights.
As for my own creations, I'm off to Trinidad and Tobago at the end of July in order to fine tune and complete my chapbook, The White of the Moon, which aims to mark the accumulation of my poems written during my residency and the end of my residency. The White of the Moon, is due for launch on 18 October at the Lit and Phil and it would be good to see as many old and new faces there to share in the evening. The residency continues up until the end of 2007, and then I hope to leave a legacy of the residencies continuing at the Lit and Phil for years to come.
best
Sheree

Blooming May

May is here and time is flying. First of all please find below an extract from the winner of the Myths and Legends competition, for the poetry category, Erin Bidlake. Hopefully you'll be able to hear more from her when she does a reading at the Lit and Phil during June.

MOMOTARO

Momotaro is a Japanese folk tale. This tale tells the story of an elderly, childless couple who discover a giant peach. From this peach a small boy is born. The couple adopts the boy and names him Momotaro—“momo” for “peach” and “Taro”, a popular Japanese name given to first-born sons. Momotaro eventually leaves his parents to go fight the ogres living on an island called Onigashima.

Carp are a traditional symbol for boys in Japan, and carp flags are displayed during the Boy’s Day festival. The Japanese believe carp to be the most virile and spirited of fish, because they are able to swim against strong currents and overcome great obstacles to reach their destinations.

~~~

You know him as simply “the peach boy”, but he was my son, my only. I’ve heard all your stories: how he was sent from the heavens in a ripe peach, his birth nothing more than sweet-smelling fruit split open to a dark center, the furred skin peeled back. Painless. Bloodless.

May has just begun and already I've given two talks in connections with my residency. The first was within the Mining Institute in Wednesday 2nd May, where to a packed house I presented some of my findings around the black presence in the North East after 1807. I concentrated in four people in particular; Olaudah Equiano, Bill Richmond, Mary Ann Macham and Frederick Douglass. At time or another these individuals either settled in the North East or past on through. But in the process the North east touched them and they touched the North East. I hope to continue this line of enquiry through the rest of my residency as people present providing some new information too. I'd like to thank all the people who turned up for this event. And I hope we meet again very soon.
The second paper was yesterday in Wreay nr. Carlisle. I was invited by the Losh Circle to present on James Losh and the abolition of slavery as part of a study day in aid of restoring St Mary's Church in Wreay, designed by Losh's niece, Sarah Losh. Again this event was well attended but I think it was more out of interest in Losh than the abolition of slavery. yet at the same time, it was yet another opportunity to discuss the issues surrounding the bicentenary of the abolition of transatlantic slave trade and the years that followed this landmark decision. It was a most enjoyable day.

LEGACY: A Bucket of Afro-Caribbean Culture

Growing up in Britain,

the culture is on tap;

freely flowing

everywhere.

It takes a conscious decision

to turn away from

this easiness

and to go to the well.

It takes strength to pull

and pull, drawing the water

from deep deep down

and from way back in the past.

One bucket surfaces,

water dripping down the sides.

I drink the whole bucket

and start drawing water again.

Back

Hi All

It's good to be back but it might take some time to get back into the driving seat.
There have been rocky times and probably more to come but it's all a learning experience.

Apologies to anyone who entered the Myths and Legends Competition and did not receive a reply to emails or acknowledgements to entries etc. Although this was suggested when the rules and conditions were released, if I could respond to the individual I did so. But the majority of time that the competition was open, I was in the Caribbean and the emails/hard copies were in the Lit and Phil. WE had over 150 entries, so it was impossible really to give that individual feedback.

Anyway, those who won or were commended were informed and those that could attended the reading. Those present expressed their pleasure in the evening and offered their thanks for gaining pointers and tips about future competition entries, as I introduced each winner and the reasons why their entries won.

The overall winner for the prose category was Saira Dunnakey.
The overall winner for the poetry category was Erin Bidlake.

Commended writers included:

Catherine Graham
Carolyn Jess-Cooke.
Pippa Little
Stephanie Rickaby
Fiona Richie Walker
Elizabeth Whyman

I hope to showcase some of their work here very soon.