Issue 333 25th April 2014

2

Even though society is awash with jobseekers and bored pensioners, becoming a volunteer for some chari-ties isn’t as easy as one might think. Application forms seem often to be geared to what tasks they need volunteers to do rather than for determining where a volunteer’s skills might be best suited. For some writers writing their novel is like driving on sidelights. They can only see a few yards ahead, but somehow they still get to where they are going even if the destination wasn’t known from the beginning. How life enhancing it is when you learn a new IT skill quite by accident. Silver Surfers often have to learn by trial and error: we didn’t even have calculators when I went to a grammar school in the 1960s and even learning typing was forbidden as typing skills weren’t considered necessary for future academics ... How utterly daft was that! I’ve always believed that many governments are an oligarchy (i.e. political party fronts with corporations pulling the strings), not a democracy. Apparently, there are studies from university think tanks that seem to agree with this theory. If true how does this affect ordinary folk? Politicians should be like racing car drivers and have to wear sponsor’s logos on their shiny suits. Lilac is coming into bloom three weeks early, very strange considering how cold it is. Let’s shout hooray for the TV admen who are keeping spoken verse alive by selling cheese and cars etc ... If poetry is being removed from the school curriculum TV ads might be the only place kids come into con-tact with spoken verse, however gut cringing are those sales rhymes.

Random words : fold, slogan, exam, proceed, decision, acting, crab, truckle Assignment : Eggs (same as last week)

4

MARLOWE IMAGES …. writes Trevor Fisher

TWO EARLY PORTRAITS

For Christopher Marlowe, as for Shakespeare, the issue of whether there are portraits painted from life is

controversial. Two early portraits have been cited as possible Marlowe pictures, one of whom, the Graf-

ton portrait, has also been linked to Shakespeare. The other, which I will call the Corpus Christi painting

from the Cambridge college which owns it, is the one normally cited as that of Kit Marlowe. Both show

young men with dates included by the artist(s) which fall within the known life periods of the two men –

who were of course almost exact contemporaries, both born in 1564. The Corpus Christi painting has the

date 1585 and the comment that the sitter is 21, written in the latin phrase used at the time. Though

Shakespeare is lost from sight in the period 1585-1592, he had only just left Stratford and not made his

fortune when he was 21. The possibility that a penurious married man would have had the funds to have

a picture made in 1585 are remote. Marlowe is a more credible candidate given his Corpus Christi con-

nection.

The better known portrait, and the one most commonly linked to both Shakespeare and Marlowe, is the

Grafton portrait in John Rylands Library in Manchester. The only real ground for thinking this a relevant

image is the date painted on it, 1588, when both men would have been 24. There is no evidence linking

the painting to Shakespeare though its place of discovery, Grafton Regis in Northamptonshire, is close to

Stratford. Nor have any links with Marlowe and the owners of the painting in the seventeenth century

ever been made, and we do not know who owned it in the sixteenth century. Marlowe's links with the

Grafton painting are unlikely as he had no Midland connections of any kind. It is as unlikely that Mar-

lowe was the man in the Grafton painting as it is for the Corpus Christi painting to be of Shakespeare.

While the Corpus Christi portrait has no obvious link with Shakespeare, who has not been noted as ever

visiting Cambridge, this is certainly not the case with Marlowe, who was a student at Corpus Christi

from 1580 to March 1587. The Corpus Christi portrait has now gained a reputation as the only image of

Marlowe existing. The evidence is however scanty and the picture demands very close scrutiny.

SCEPTICS AND POSSIBLITIES

The college remains sceptical that this is the long sought picture of Marlowe. While this is the only por-

trait cited as being of the poet, the current spokesperson of the college, Oliver Rackham, calls the picture

“psuedo Marlowe”, arguing that the belief that the dates fit is 'mistaken' and that the picture could be of

any of the “50,000 young Englishmen who were his contemporaries”. It is not a strong argument, since

if there were 50,000 Englishmen of the right age, very few were at Corpus Christi in the time slot indi-

cated. And the inscription, Quod Me Nutruit Destruit, painted at the time as the portrait, is powerfully

suggestive. There is thus a possibility that this is the poet, but the case has to be carefully scrutinised.

There is no direct evidence to draw upon, and indeed the story of how the painting came into prominence

is distinctly odd. From 1585 to the discovery in the early 1950s, and the dating of the painting is not in

dispute, it was completely unknown. The mystery of where it had been is deeply puzzling, and the story

of how it was found little easier to understand, with two versions of how it appeared, one citing 1952 and

the other 1953. The only eye witness of its discovery is cited in the Letter of the Corpus Christi Associa-

tion Michaelmas 1966 when a writer known only as BD states that he was in college at the time – in what

capacity I have not yet discovered – when an undergraduate brought him a damaged and very old picture

painted on wood.

BD states that a student, Patrick Wimbush “Who later gained a First in Mechanical Sciences” (ie he was

an undergraduate, TF), found two pieces of wood painted for a portrait on a pile of rubbish left by build-

ers refurbishing the Old Court and the Lodge for a new Master, Sir George Thompson. Wimbush took

the find to BD, who had to two boards photographed by Peter Eden, a photographer working at the time

for the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. The discovery led the college to restore the paint-

ing, and though the files on the restoration appear to have been lost, there is no suggestion that the work

distorted the image. The most intriguing aspect of the picture is a latin motto painted on its surface which

Noel Purdon spends most of his 1967 article discussing.

QUOD ME NUTRIT, ME DESTRUIT

Noel Purdon states that “This is a most unusual motto. It belongs to no crest of arms, has no heraldic

significance … It is rather a personal emblem... chosen... less as an indication of public significance than

of his private drama which the young man has shown some originality in constructing”... The construction is traced back to

the middle of the sixteenth century, which is not a period I am familiar with and would appreciate comments on Purdon's

analysis.

Purdon argues that the root of the motto is a book by a writer he calls Symeoni, published in Lyons in 1561. Here it is given

as QUI ME ALIT, ME EXTINGUIT and is “iconologised by an inverted torch”, possibly indicating an engraving. An Italian

verse explains the meaning (but alas I cannot read Italian). Purdon argues focuses on a wax torch, the wax both giving the

flame its substance and when inverted extinguishes it. However the meaning is metaphorical, likening the torch to love which

burns with flame until inverted, when the very fuel of the flame puts it out.

Purdon then has the following significant passage:

“In the same year that the Corpus portrait was painted there appeared in London Samuel

Daniel's Imprese * ( - a translation of Paulus Jovius – which appended a series of instruc-

tions on 'the Arte of composing them'. He changes the 'qui' to'quod' so the motto now runs

QUOD ME ALIT, ME EXTINGUIT. In exactly this form it appears in Pericles as part of

the birthday compliment to Thaisa, still with the icon of 'a burning torch that's turned up-

side down”. Simonides** interprets it instantly as meaning

'that beauty hath his power and will

Which can inflame as it can kill'

Whitney in 1586 makes exactly the same interpretation in his Choice of Emblemes,

'Even as the waxe doth feede, and quenche the flame,

So loue (love TF) gives life, and loue dispaire doth give'”

Purdon's analysis is not entirely clear, but it is significant that in the years of the portrait three authors make the same com-

ment regarding mottoes. It would thus appear that there is a Latin tag circulating at the time when the portrait was made

which draws on a common idea. The writer has chosen “destruit” as more dramatic than “extinguit”, as young men do. Pur-

don concludes that “his portrait, though very different in style, belongs to the same class of personalised image as the youths

in the minatures languishing by trees, or consumed by flames”. Only an expert can comment on the reference to miniatures.

Hillyard's most famous miniature does have a man by a tree, flames are a different matter.

The reference to Shakespeare is interesting, but not conclusive. It is accepted Shakespeare studied and drew upon Marlowe's

work, though knowing a motto is a different matter. It is unlikely Shakespeare ever saw the portrait, but as its history is un-

known this is part of a wider mystery. However there is another curious twist to the story. In some of the engravings of the

Shakespeare funerary monument in Holy Trinity church Stratford, one of the cherubs is holding a wax torch turned upside

down to extinguish it. The cherubs remain on top of the monument. But the wax torch is today nowhere to be seen.

In this, as in so much else, there is no simple conclusion to be drawn about the portrait and its enigmatic sitter. It's links to

Cambridge are uncertain, and why it appeared so mysteriously after more than three centuries remains a puzzle to which there

is no answer. It was not recorded in any of the collections known to exist in the C19th, and perhaps this is due to its poor con-

dition. The same reason may have led it to be thrown out as junk, a development which led to its discovery. Perhaps Mar-

lowe's fall from grace led the painting to be hidden away, but this presupposes it is a picture of the poet. It may in fact have

no connection to Cambridge at all, though the presumption must be that the painting had some link to Corpus Christi. In the

final analysis we do not know. Only if more evidence comes to light can any progress be made.

The only sure statement that can be made about the picture is that like the more famous Lady in a Persian Dress in the Royal

Collection, it reappeared in circumstances which make it almost impossible to trace its provenance . It would be foolish to

dismiss the possibility this is Marlowe, and equally foolish to accept it. Whatever view is taken of the portrait, its quality and

enduring puzzle make it an image which demands further research.

Trevor Fisher 6th April 2014.

Sources:

Letter of the Corpus Christi Association #45 The Emergence of a College Portrait (BD) Michaelmas 1966

Letter of the Corpus Christi Association #46 Quod me Nutrit, Me Destruit (Noel Purdon) Michaelmas 1967

A D Wraight In Search of Christopher Marlowe, Adam Hart Ltd, Chichester 1999

David Rigg The World of Christopher Marlowe, Faber and Faber 2004

*Imprese's being emblematic devices, often shields and normally with mottos painted on them, used for heraldic purposes)

6

Starting The New Season.

My Liquorice root has been on order for a couple of weeks now

from Brandy Carr Nurseries in Yorkshire, so hopefully it will ar-rive any day. In preparation for it I have made a small raised

bed about 1 metre square that was dug out and lined with weed control membrane as I am given to believe that Liquorice can spread a little uncontrollably if allowed too. The raised bed

will also mean that it will be free draining and its roots should bake a little better in the sun which it likes. Even though I

haven‘t actually got the plant yet it is causing some interest when I tell people about it and how it was used in olden days to wean people off cigarettes. Apparently, the chopped up roots were dried and ciga-

rette sized pieces were sucked on to occupy the hands and mouth. Many people giving up cigarettes turn to sucking hardboiled sweets and the dried Liquorice root also has the

sweetness that people crave. It was said that in days gone by it was very popular and sold everywhere and my mother remembers that even Boots chemists used to sell it.

My Sea Kale plants hold great promise for the future, as although this was only the first year of harvesting after growing them from seed, I actually managed to cut 45 stalks from the few plants that were big enough and had enough energy. I won‘t be cut-

ting anymore this year and have uncovered the ―Crowns,‖ to allow them to green up and build up their strength and reserves for next years harvest. According to the books

they shouldn‘t harvest until April so I guess the mild weather has brought them on early, but they do come before the Asparagus that follows on.

The Rhubarb has already given a really good first cutting with lots of very thick, juicy stems that were completely different to last years late and poor harvest. If the weather keeps up we will be in for a bumper year and will be able to fill the freezer with

it to keep for next Winter to make lots of warming ―Rhubarb Crumbles‖. It is still to early for most Beans except Broad Beans that have already been

planted out with the first cut of grass cuttings scattered between them. I normally do this with the Runner beans, but all Beans fix Nitrogen in the soil, so although the rotting grass cuttings rob the soil of Nitrogen it doesn‘t really matter. The grass cuttings will not

only help to keep the weeds down, but will help to keep the moisture in. It is still to early for Runners, but in preparation I am going to dig some trenches where the Beans

will go and bury some of my Compost that has not rotted down too well yet. It is mostly made up of the chopped up stalks from last years Jerusalem Artichokes. I am hoping it

will continue rotting down in the trenches if I give it a shallow covering of soil before planting the Beans on top of it. The rough compost should help retain the moisture that Beans need for good growth.

My two rows of Parsnip seeds have not germinated yet, but I think they have been waiting for the rain as we had a short dry spell immediately after sowing. The Parsnips

are getting better on my allotment as the years are going by and there is less forking of their roots because the stones are gradually being removed from my plots. In fact all

sorts of seed sowing is getting under way now. Most of mine go in to modules, or cellu-lar trays that make transplanting easier later on. This method is all right for nearly all vegetables including some roots like Beet-

root, but definitely not Carrots, or Parsnips. All the trays of seeds are filling my greenhouse to overflow-

ing already, so I am hoping we will go back to having mild, frost free nights and I will be able to take more tender stuff out of my greenhouse to make room for it all!

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Just taken the spouse to a film about artificial intelligence, in which he says he is interested. First he sniggered, then he sighed, then he went to sleep. In the post film discussion he opined that it had not been very scientific. Well, yes, it had been mainly car chases and pow pow stuff and the sort of explosions which used to be spectacular but are now so commonplace as to be boring. But, in my opinion, a nugget of gold had emerged, i.e. somebody said that computers could never replicate the human brain because the latter was composed of more than electrical impulses. Emotions, for example. The spouse said it could all be programmed in. 'But so much is irrational. Contradictory. Loving people who do things you hate.' 'Still programmable.' 'What about culture?' This is one of my favourite themes. Have you noticed how folk can be pun-ished for being rational? Mildly punished, admittedly, called eccentric for instance. I am sometimes rational. For example after a morning labouring in the garden recently, I prepared a bath to ease the aching muscles and stripped as is normal for those about to bathe. But then I found the water was cold, so I switched on the immersion heater which would put matters right in half an hour. No point in getting dressed for that short length of time, I thought, donning my bathrobe. The kitchen floor's always cold, therefore I have in-vested in a pair of Ugg type slippers, which, of course I put on to make the cup of tea that fills every English time gap. And as every English person feels obliged to experience every second of a sunny day, I went and flopped on the lounger. Sun directly on my head makes it ache, so I slipped on my nice floppy wide brimmed sun hat. Whereupon my neighbour looked across the fence, did a double take and then screamed with laughter. 'Do tell?' I asked, when she paused for breath. 'Boots and sun hat and dressing gown!' she gasped. 'Jenny Joseph had noth-ing on you! Wait while I get the camera.' She was referring of course, to the poem that begins: 'When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,' and goes on to list many other acts planned by Jenny to outrage others, but which, on reflection, are totally rational. Like sitting down on the pavement when you're tired. Like my sun hat and boots. 'She was punishing me for being rational,' I told the spouse. 'Could you pro-gramme a brain like hers?' 'Your appearance probably did amuse her.' 'And is appearance the only thing that matters? Why shouldn't we wear what is comfortable?' Culturally there are masses of reasons, although nobody seems to know what they are. Since I was about five years old (an inordinate amount of time ago) I've asked in vain why women wear sleeveless, backless, flimsy dresses to eve-ning events while men have shirts and lined jackets. They can't both be com-fortable in any shared temperature. There must also be reasons why men have to wear ties, especially to work. Has anybody ever done studies on the relative outputs of the tied and untied? Is the fast becoming common 'casual wear Fri-day' an antidote to the 'Friday washing machine/cooker/freezer'syndrome which explains breakdowns by the lassitude of workers at the end of the week? 'How can it be,' I asked the spouse, 'that one pursues rational ends by irrationality? I'm sure people work better untrussed than trussed. A business should let its workers be comfortable so they can give their full attention to achieving its ends. But thousands of human brains insist on collars and ties and jackets. How could you programme that in?' 'Master Chef's starting,' he said.

Anne Picken

7

8

Year 1589 : The Cast : The Queen‘s Men : a group of strolling players thrown out of London where the theatres have been closed due to an outbreak of plague. Elizabeth I was on the throne. Kit Marlowe (wordsmith/detective), Harry Swann (the murderer of the-first victim who first found the chal-ice) Samuel Burball (Owner), Peter Pecksniff, Daniel Alleynes, young Hal who plays a girl‘s role very badly. Vesta Swann, Rosie Ripp-sheet. The Boar‘s Head Tavern, Trentby: Bertha landlady, Molly Golightly, Martha Goodnight wenches. Ned the bear keeper. The Trentby Abbey of St Jude : Abbot Ranulf knows something about the missing Roman hoard of silver plate/chalice etc The Manor of Bluddschott : sodden Squire Darnley Bluddschott, wife Mis-tress Anne, daughter Penelope about to be sold off into matrimony, Mis-tress Hood seamstress, sister to Penny, Mistress Tatanya

The Sheriff‘s Castle : Magistrate Squire Humphrey Pettigrew, Black Knight, the Sheriff Burrowmere Lord Haywood, man-at-arms Richard of Hyde Leigh, a constable Daniel Smithers and a scribe Modern Day: Rick Fallon and Tommy Tip-Tip McGee** Private eyes in Trentby on case for Sir Kipling Aloysius Bluddschott (Sister Christabel) to locate silver chalice and Roman hoard of Trentby Abbey + corpse Jago Swann DI Pete Ferret and Lavender Pomeroy and Rose Rippsheet PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that those writing for the storyline read what other writers have already written before they add a new piece. AND the year has been changed and Moll Rippsheet has become Rosie.

HAPPY ST GEORGE’S DAY (23rd April)

Did anybody remember? Is there a difference between low-key and ... Who?

Did you know ... In the Elizabethan period it was customary for a dance to end a stage production ... One of the most active dances of these periods was the Galliard, in which men and women had the chance to jump as high as they could, while wiggling their feet in the air. The ―Volta‖ is a dance named for its lifts, or vaults, included in the steps. The close physical contact required for these gravity-defying feats paired with the pos-sibility for the displacement of ladies‘ skirts led to the Volta being banned at the French court. If flying skirts weren‘t enough excitement, one could always dance the Candle-stick or Torch Bransle, which raised the bar by incorporating candlesticks into the

mix. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17289/17289-h/17289-h.htm

Fig. 49: La Galliarde. From the "Orchésographie" of Thoinot Arbeau (Jean

Tabourot), Langres, 1588.

Blow the Wind Westerly - (Newfoundland capstan shanty)

Up jumps a crab with his crooked legs

Saying "you play the cribbage and I'll stick the pegs"

Singing blow the wind westerly, let the wind blow

By a gentle nor'wester how steady she goes

Up jumps a dolphin with his chuckle-head

He jumps on the deck saying "pull out the lead!"

Up jumps a flounder so flat on the ground

Saying "damn your old chocolate, mind how you sound"

Up jumps a salmon so bright as the sun

He jumped down between the decks and fired off a gun

Up jumps a whale, the biggest of all

He jumped up aloft and he's pawl after pawl

Up jumps a herring, the king of the sea

He jumps up on deck saying "helms a-lee!"

Up jumps a shark with his big row of teeth

He jumped up between the decks and shook out the reefs

Today has been a good day although not over yet

Today has been a good day although not over yet,

Timing tablets well although it’s easy to forget.

Then you’ve gone and blown it, your body takes of-

fence,

Knocks you off your feet, no time for self-defence.

One minute body fine, doing as it should,

Walk, run and dance like you always could.

Within seconds it can zap you, ‘ Parkinson’s attack’!

All control gone and no clue for when it’s back.

From confident to dithering wreck takes no time at

all,

Crawling on the floor instead of walking tall.

Feeling very stupid, getting in the way,

How long will this all last, difficult to say.

Say Parkinson’s, think shaking, a tremor of the hand,

Shuffling the feet, muscles tighten and expand.

Freezing in a doorway, cannot move at all,

Stumbling round obstacles, heading for a fall.

Our bodies keep moving when we’re craving rest,

Up and down all night puts you to the test.

Restless legs and panic attacks can strike at any

time,

Life becomes a massive wall, impossible to climb!

To get up in the morning is like fighting in a sack,

One step taken forwards, half a dozen back.

By the time household wakes,you’ve crawled a million

miles.

No welcome for your family, you just ran out of

smiles.

I’ll ask when I need help and explain when I feel

bad,

Stuck in public loo, is there anything more sad?

I feel a waste of space not the person that I am,

Give me time to move and ignore me if you can.

I have to shout for Parkinson’s. I have to do my bit!

Find a cure please scientist and let me be rid of it.

Then the person I once was will sing and dance and

grin,

A very happy lady, back to being Lin!

Let Me Introduce You To - What's Her Name?

She is walking slowly towards me

I can’t recall her name?

We’re bound to meet in a minute,

Is she thinking just the same?

Is it Annie, Jane or Susan?

Where do I know her from?

We’ll pass the time of day,

But name’s completely gone.

Is it ‘Mrs Next-Door’ or ‘Her Across’?

Or Woman With Little Red Car?

Does her name begin with ’G’ ?

Or perhaps it starts with ‘ R’.

Any second now I must stop,

She smiles as if she knows,

I’m just cursing and swearing,

Where all my memory goes?

ANDREA! That’s her name,

I blurt it out so loud.

ANDREA! Yes that is it!

I’m really, really proud.

I didn’t make myself a fool

Remembered just in time,

Now her name will not be lost,

Immortalised in rhyme.

It was Parkinson's Awareness Week 7th-13th April. I have written a rather long poem about how Parkinson's affects me. I have a Facebook page - and I put recently written poems on there Lin Priest writes Poems for Parkinson's

I would like your readers to read and respond if they feel so inclined. My booklet of poems (self-published at home using Microsoft Publisher) is available from me or I can attempt to send link for downloading. Any donation to Parkinson's UK is welcomed and all proceeds from the booklet go there. I had a coffee day last week and raised £350 but was I tired at the end of it! Lin Priest

Church leaders say: Poor people are more than 'economic entities'

The Archbishop of Canterbury highlighted the suffering of

people facing conflict around the world during his Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Easter Sunday. In his

second Easter message since becoming head of the Church of England, the Most Rev Justin Welby said: "In this coun-try, even as the economy improves there is weeping in

broken families, in people ashamed to seek help from food banks, or frightened by debt. Call for the suffering of the poor to be acknowledged: The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Westminster have called this Eastertime for the UK‘s poor citizens to be recognised for

their value as people and for their plight to be alleviated. In his pre-Easter address the Most Reverend Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England, reportedly said that the poor were not simply

"economic entities". His words were echoed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholic Church in England and Wales, who said it was "a disgrace"

there were British people living in a state of destitution. During Lent the two men launched a joint campaign to highlight the issue. Speaking

on BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme, the two leaders said the launch of the Listen To God: Hear the Poor initiative aimed to draw attention to providing help for the poor. They said churches were increasingly

becoming "engaged in social action", including providing food banks and night shelters for homeless outdoor sleepers. The Archbishop of Canterbury said people tended to be seen for

what they could produce as "economic entities", saying they should be treated "as far more than that". He added the joint church initiative was not "some stunt" and had been launched during Lent "a time of

prayer and action". Cardinal Nichols repeated his view that it was "a disgrace" that people suffered destitution in a country as rich as the UK. Speaking in

February about the government's welfare reforms, he said the "safety net" for the poorest families had been "torn apart" and he believed the UK "can afford to support those who are destitute". Cardinal Nichols

added there was a need for a debate "where charity ends and state responsibility begins".

Sources: PRESS RELEASES. Images Wikipedia.

Blog Opportunities Are there social issues you feel passionate

about as a writer? Ever considered writing a blog?

Always remember there is a difference between fact and opinion and be aware of libel but why not give it a try?

Professor Jim Al-Khalil

Philip Pullman

Tim Minchin

Dr Simon Singh

Ken Follett

Dr Adam Rutherford

Sir John Sulston

Sir David Smith

Professor Jonathan Glover

Professor Anthony Grayling

Nick Ross

Virginia Ironside

Professor Steven Rose

Natalie Haynes

Peter Tatchell

Professor Raymond Tallis

Dr Iolo ap Gwynn

Stephen Volk

Professor Steve Jones

Sir Terry Pratchett

Dr Evan Harris

Dr Richard Bartle

Sian Berry

C J De Mooi

Professor John A Lee

Professor Richard Norman

“We have a Prime Minister who only “does God” in the sense that he gets on his knees at the approach of an election.”

Comment : Voter from Hemel Hempstead (Telegraph)

AUTHORS SPEAK OUT: LETTER TO DAILY

TELEGRAPH SIR – We respect the Prime Minister’s right to his religious beliefs and the fact that they necessarily affect his own life as a politi-

cian. However, we object to his characterisation of Britain as a “Christian country” and the negative consequences for politics and

society that this engenders.

Apart from in the narrow constitutional sense that we continue to have an established Church, Britain is not a “Christian country”.

Repeated surveys, polls and studies show that most of us as individuals are not Christian in our beliefs or our religious identities.

At a social level, Britain has been shaped for the better by many pre-Christian, non-Christian, and post-Christian forces. We are a

plural society with citizens with a range of perspectives, and we are a largely non-religious society.

Constantly to claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society. Although it is right to recognise the contribut ion made

by many Christians to social action, it is wrong to try to exceptionalise their contribution when it is equalled by British people of

different beliefs. This needlessly fuels enervating sectarian debates that are by and large absent from the lives of most British

people, who do not want religions or religious identities to be actively prioritised by their elected government.

Zoe Margolis

Joan Smith

Michael Gore

Derek McAuley

Lorraine Barratt

Dr Susan Blackmore

Dr Harry Stopes-Roe

Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC

Adele Anderson

Dr Helena Cronin

Professor Alice Roberts

Professor Chris French

Sir Tom Blundell

Maureen Duffy

Baroness Whitaker

Lord Avebury

Richard Herring

Martin Rowson

Tony Hawks

Peter Cave

Diane Munday

Professor Norman MacLean

Professor Sir Harold Kroto

Sir Richard Dalton

Sir David Blatherwick

Michael Rubenstein

Polly Toynbee

Lord O'Neill

Dr Simon Singh

Dan Snow

Blog opportunities continued ... Here is a classic example of Opinion ... What Facts are there?

FACT: The PM has expressed a view ...

FACT: Some writers and intellectuals strongly do not agree with it. FACT: Some of the public see it as political manoeuvring.

The old chestnut ―GOD‘s on my side!‖ The whole episode hinges on what? Religion v Secular, a conflict of ideas, sprinkled with politics. This topic is a prime example of excellent blogger material. The sort of issue which a good journo can spin anyway they want

to and an excellent way for a beginner blogger to cut their teeth ... Enjoy ... Keep Writing. Editor RBW Online

PRESS RELEASE Recently many of us will have seen the shocking new figures that nearly one million people have had to visit food banks in the

last year. Families in the UK are having to choose between paying their bills or feeding themselves.

Charities claim the UK is violating people’s right to food. The number of families using food banks has tripled since last year.

And research suggests the government’s extreme welfare cuts could be the reason behind this massive increase.

But the government says: "There is no robust evidence that welfare reforms or benefit administration are linked to increased

use of food banks."

What do you think? Should 38 Degrees run a campaign to target the causes of poverty and help the many families in need of

food banks?

Together we could:

Fund independent research to understand why nearly one million people need food banks

Organise public meetings to raise awareness of the problem with local MPs in the most affected areas

Help organise members to volunteer in local food banks

Work with other organisations to highlight why the demand for food banks has risen so dramaticaly

Persuade supermarkets to partner with food banks and supply unsold food The government claims that the growing number of food banks is encouraging more people to visit them, but it’s not like

people can just turn up and get free food. You have to be referred by a social worker or a doctor - someone who knows how desper-

ate your situation is.

In June last year, the government received a report on the growth of food banks in the UK. But it took them eight months to pub-

lish it. It found that welfare benefits played a role in the increase of families visiting food banks. Yet they are still refusing to ac-

knowledge that cuts could be the main cause of food poverty.

The government has failed to hold to account bankers who win huge bonuses while putting our economy at risk. It's failed to stop big

businesses avoiding paying their fair share of tax. Now it is failing those who need the most help. Should we run a campaign to

pressure the government to find out exactly why so many people are turning to food banks?

The 38 Degrees team - 38 Degrees [action@38degrees.org.uk]

NOTES [1] The Guardian: Hunger is a ‘national crisis’ religious leaders tell Cameron: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/16/million-people-britain-food-banks-religious-leaders-faith-groups The Independent: The food poverty scandal that shames Britain: Nearly 1m people rely on handouts to eat - and benefit reforms may be to blame: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/churches-unite-to-act-on-food-poverty-600-leaders-from-all-denominations-demand-government-uturn-on-punitive-benefits-sanctions-9263035.html [2] Daily Mail: Almost ONE million Britons visit food banks following 163 percent jump in the number of people seeking emergency help: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2605661/Almost-ONE-million-Britons-seek-food-bank-help-following-162-percent-jump-number-people-seeking-emergency-food-help.html [3] The Trussell Trust: How a foodbank works: http://www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-figures-top-900000 [4] The Mirror: A million emergency food parcels handed out. In Britain. In the 21st Century: http://ampp3d.mirror.co.uk/2014/04/16/a-million-emergency-food-parcels-handed-out-in-britain-in-the-21st-century/ [5] BBC News: Food bank sees ‘shocking’ rise in number of users: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27032642 [6] The Trussell Trust: How a foodbank works: http://www.trusselltrust.org/how-it-works [7] The Guardian: Families turn to food banks as 'last resort' not because they are free: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/20/food-bank-review-undermines-ministers-claim [8] The Daily Mirror: Fatcat bankers have received £80billion in bonuses since eruption of financial crisis in 2008: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fatcat-bankers-received-80billion-bonuses-3130125 [9] Politics website: Let off the hook: corporations allowed to avoid billions in tax: http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/12/19/let-off-the-hook-corporations-allowed-to-avoid-billions-in-t

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to

do nothing.” Edmund Burkedo nothing.” Edmund Burke

14

When is a plumber not a plumber? that is a question which could cause a heart attack in the wallet department ... writes SMS The sad cautionary tale told to us by ... to save blushes let us call her Dishmop Dorah ... may help others of a trusting nature. ―It all started when the lights and the power clicked off as the power safety thingy had shut off everything due to a fault. A process of elimination soon established the fault was down to the dish-washer. ―This ancient kitchen servant had been doing its faithful duty for eight years and had been fine until the manufacturer came

out and fiddled with it a few months ago and as a fire precautionary measure fitted a new bit. Humm ...

―So one does the natural thing looked up all the specs and measurements online and then nipped off down the High Street to a superstore which did fitting for £20.00 and would recycle old machine and deliver for free even-tually. So far so good. ―After ten days of hand washing and what a drag that is ... The appointed day arrived. The machine arrived in the allotted time slot and they called to tell me they were arriving ... All good ... They unpacked the sparkly new

machine (which put all the other kitchen white goods to fall into a grumby yellowness) and then drew in that sharp intake of breath the one that you know will cost money ... ‗Valve‘s seized, Missus. We can‘t fit it. You‘ll need a proper plumber!‘ ―And off they went with promises of their fitting fee to be refunded, eventually. So in my tiny kitchen were the washing machine and the old dish-washer in the middle of the floor and the new dishwasher blocking the back doorway. All cats are safe, none could be swung in the floor space that was remaining, getting to the kettle would be traumatic and involve crampons and a safety line. ―Panic was setting in. Lunchtime was looming on the horizon and ‗‘im in-doors‘ didn‘t like his Bargain Hunt routine being disturbed dishwasher trauma notwithstanding. ―Reach for YELLOW PAGES. And this is when the first mistake happened.

My mistake. Not ‗the‘ mistake. It was all mine! ―Did I know there was a difference between a regular human being type plumber and the other sort of voracious monster? No I did not. ―Did I know that emergency plumbers charged £85.00 by the half hour and parts and VAT were additional costs? Did I know that they would have to drive 5 miles to a plumbers‘ merchant to buy a new part and would charge

that driving time at £85.00 plus VAT as well? Did I know if they go over a thirty minute period even by five minutes they add on another £85.00 plus VAT? ... No I did not ... You get the picture ... (And, yes, I might be going a bit Mutt-and-Jeff because on the phone I did think £85.00 was the price being quoted for the whole job ... Or perhaps it was simply wishful thinking!)

―Sufficient to say the fitting cost far more than the actual new dishwasher whose name I shall curse for the next decade until it, or I, die first. ―Still in a state of wallet shock and with a debit card threatening melt down, I took stock and contacted Trading Standards who I hoped would be the folks to look into sharp practice ... but no. They washed their hands and passed the buck to CAB. Who knew TS were now so useless? ―I can see that if it is the middle of the night and sewage is seeping from the loo in a torrent then £85.00 plus VAT per half hour is a small price to pay and will go into an insurance claim. But come on play the game! If it‘s a little job for a pensioner at least tell them where there are other plumbers (non-emergency) more suited to attend to their predicament. You see that was my other big mistake. What is an emergency? ―To me having a kitchen looking like a modernist art installation of the war of the

machines, none of which were working, and all of which were blocking the way to food preparation, or the back door, or the kettle seemed like an emergency. But was it? Could I have waited for a few days/weeks for a regular plumber to fit the job in? In hindsight, probably. ―And after the dust settled I still had a broken dishwasher to recycle. I was consider-ing this problem when I shoved the blessèd thing onto the driveway in a fit of pique and enjoyed kicking it. I decided the best thing was to nip onto Facebook and ask if anyone knew of a friendly scrap man who‘d take the wretched thing away for free. ―Didn‘t need to bother ... The next morning the offending appliance had magically disappeared from off the driveway and calm descended on Chez Moi once more. ―I will learn, move on and let this costly episode fade from memory, eventually ... I heard this on a bus recently: ―If it ain‘t life threatening, I dunna worry. Life‘s too

short.‖ ... Wise man ...‖

Jamaica Inn 2014 Daphne du Maurier fans might be interested: this

is what the Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor looked like last week. Less mud and smugglers, more tea

and bus passes ...

16

The death has been announced of Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez aged 87

6 March 1927 – 17 April 2014) who was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist, known affec-tionately as ‗Gabo‘ throughout Latin America.

The literary giant, considered one of the greatest Spanish-language authors of all time outselling every thing else pub-

lished in Spanish except the Bible, had spent nine days in hospital with a lung and urinary tract infection and had been recovering from pneumonia in his Mexico City home since earlier this month and was reported to be in a fragile condition prior to his death. The writer had successfully battled cancer

12 years ago, prior to being diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer's in 2006.

Considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century, he was awarded the 1972 Neustadt International Prize for Literature and the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature.

He was largely self-educated and left law school for a career in journalism. From early on, he showed no inhibitions in his criticism of Colombian and foreign politics. In 1958, he married Mercedes Barcha; they had two sons, Rodrigo and Gonzalo. He was reported to be a friend of the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

García Márquez started his writing career as a journalist, and wrote many

acclaimed non-fiction works and short stories, but is best known for the novels, One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967)(sold 30 million copies — 25 languages), Autumn of the Patriarch (1975) and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). His works achieved significant critical acclaim and widespread commercial success for popularizing a literary style ―magic realism‖, which uses magical elements and events in ordinary and realistic situations. Some of his stories are set in a fictional village called Macondo (inspired by his birthplace Ara-cataca), and explore the theme of solitude. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted: "On behalf of Mexico, I ex-

press sorrow over the death of one of the greatest writers of our time." Image Source Wikipedia

The latest edition of The Loop on Radio Wildfire – is now playing 24/7 with a selection of stories, satires, poetry,

spoken word, music and interview @ www.radiowildfire.com - another continuous Loop of live literature and chat. There's poetry and spoken word - with music, soundscapes and unaccompanied - from Stephen Mead, Sara Clark, Handsaloof, Patrician Bamuranginwa, Tony Stringfellow, Adrian Johnson, Wild Minds, Dwane Reads and Ultraeye. There's an interview with Mark Goodwin about his current exhibition at The Cube gallery, Leicester, one with Tony Stringfellow his audio publishing... a story from Dez Quarréll ... there's song from Lunarian ... And Bunbury Banter Theatre Company provide the drama with A Girl and a Gun by Katy Derby. So join us and listen by going to www.radiowildfire.com and clicking on The Loop (And don’t forget, you can upload soundfiles of your own work to the 'Submit' page of the Radio Wildfire website. Mp3s are our preferred format. You can also ensure you always get reminders of upcoming shows on Radio Wildfire by fol-lowing us on Twitter.) The Loop is curated by Vaughn Reeves and plays online continuously except during our live broadcast on Monday 5th May 2014 starting at 8.00pm UK time with a full programme of pre-recorded tracks, live studio guests and conversation. WHAT IS RADIO WILDFIRE? Radio Wildfire is an independent online radio station which blends spoken word, poetry, performance literature, comedy, storytelling, short stories and more with a novel selection of word/music fusion and an eclectic mix of musical styles. www.radiowildfire.com currently broadcasts live 8.00-10.00pm (UK time) on the first Monday of every month. Listen to Radio Wildfire at www.radiowildfire.com where The Loop plays 24 hours a day. Twitter @radiowildfire

Thoughts on writing from a “Point of View” This isn‘t fixed in stone and some authors swap about within a novel, but, writers of stories provide

ways through which readers learn to recognise how a story is unfolding. It is called the ―Point of View‖ and is the method used to allow readers to see and hear different voices in the story. Authors direct

readers' attention on the action/dialogue the author wants to be stressed by using the point of view. POV 1st and 3rd considered

First-person point of view (POV): a single character narrates using I-me-my-mine (I ran for the

bus. My shoes. Me and the dog. ). The advantage is that the reader hears the thoughts of the one narrator and sees their world through their eyes. BUT there are big limitations, nobody understands

themselves completely. The reader has to go beyond what the narrator says and does: this is an intel-lectual exercise, not what every reader wants from a story. This is particularly true when children, with limited life-experiences, are being used as a narrator. Writing from this POV is not as easy as it may

first appear, much has to be left out, or information directed towards the main protagonist from other side characters.

Third-person POV – this is again split – the plotline is viewed as an outsider watching what is going on in the story. Successful writers are more likely to choose third-person POV. It is easier and faster to

write, readers understand it and are comfortable with the concept. Third-person all-knowing, means thoughts, words, deeds of every character are open, or third-person restricted, where the reader only sees into the mind of one character either throughout the entire story, or just in some sections. Third-

person restricted still differs from first-person POV (not ... ‗I‘ cut the sandwich ... But ... ‗Gerald‘ cut the sandwich thinking of that last goal of the match ...), the narrative of the author‘s voice is what a

reader will read in descriptive passages. (A butter-yellow sun melted over the hilltops ... Not ... I re-membered a butter-yellow sun melting over the hilltops etc) Perhaps that‘s not such a good example

but you get the idea, she said dropping casually into Second Person POV (rarely used YOU form di-rected at the reader, a one sided conversation, ―Dear Reader, I married him!‖) ... chuckle ... have fun and don‘t get too bogged down ... what feels right usually is ...

18

Latest Competitions: Aldeburgh Eight: Advanced Poetry Seminar | Closing Date: 16-May-14 http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/?id=1544 The 8th international Welsh Poetry Competition | Closing Date: 15-Jun-14 http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/?id=1543 Prologue to an Adventure: Dylan Thomas International Creative Writing Competition | Closing Date: 27-Jun-14 http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/?id=1539

The London Magazine's Poetry Competition 2014 | Closing Date: 30-Jun-14 http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/?id=1542

Poetry Box International Silver Cup Trophy Annual Poetry Award 2014 | Closing Date: 30-Jun-14 http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/?id=1546

New Magazines: Different Skies http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/magazines/magazines/?id=722

Abridged http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/magazines/emagazines/?id=721

Abridged http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/magazines/magazines/?id=720

Cannon Poets Sonnet or Not 2014 Poetry Competition is now open

Closing date 31st October 2014.

Cannon Poets are pleased to announce the return of their popular SONNET OR NOT Competition. You are invited to write a poem or poems of just fourteen lines in length. You may choose any one of the traditional sonnet forms, or experiment with alternative 14 line forms perhaps using half rhyme, metarhyme or blank

verse. Prize winners will be published in the December 2014 issue of The Cannon's Mouth. Winning poems will also be published on their website in March 2015. FIRST PRIZE: £400 SECOND PRIZE: £200 THIRD PRIZE: £100

Judge: Joanna Skelt The final judge will be Joanna Skelt, currently Birmingham Poet Laureate (2013-2014). Joanna has read and performed extensively and is an experienced writing tutor also working in community arts projects. She has recently completed a PhD in African Literature and is a Research Associate at Birmingham University.

As Laureate, Joanna is working on a sequence of praise poems to the city of Birmingham and various com-missions including for World War 1. She has a published collection, a jazz poetry CD and two new collections for which she is seeking publication. A passionate, thoughtful and yet very accessible writer, Joanna is fasci-

nated by place and our global connections and interconnections. Enter either on line or by post. To enter by post Please download and print the entry form which includes

all necessary information and instruction for entry into the competition. Please post completed form with poems and correct fee to: Cannon Poets, 22 Margaret Grove, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9JH or enter via the website http://www.cannonpoets.org.uk

Bored?

Writing by Yourself can be

Lonely!

Why not come back to

Group?

Monday Afternoon 1.30pm

To 3.30pm

Rising Brook Library. Still

Free of charge. All welcome.

If you are a subscribing email recipient to leave RBW Online is easy just email and say ‘unsubscribe’ and you will be immediately removed from the list. If you have any suggestions for improvement to this service please let us know. You don't have to take an active part to receive this workshop bulletin you can just sit back and enjoy the ride, but if you could send feedback, it is greatly appreciated. RBW Privacy Promise: A few simple contact details are all that are required and they will only be used for this bulletin service. RBW promise to:

Only send you details via the newsletter.

To never pass on your details to anyone else.

To always allow recipients to opt-out and unsubscribe at any time.

www.risingbrookwriters.org.uk

To contact RBW please use the website contact box.

PATRON Ian McMillan www.ian-mcmillan.co.uk

Present and Previous Memberships and Funders.

Rising Brook Writers strives to be compliant with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. RBW strives for accu-

racy and fairness, however, can take no responsibility for any error, misinterpretation or inaccuracy in any message

sent by this mode of publishing. The opinions expressed are not necessarily in accordance with the policy of the char-

ity. E-mails and attachments sent out by RBW are believed to be free from viruses which might affect computer sys-

tems into which they are received or opened but it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that they are virus

free. Rising Brook Writers accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage arising in any way from their receipt, open-

ing or use. Environment/ Recycling: Please consider carefully if you need to print out any part or all of this message.

To the best of our knowledge and belief all the material included in this publication is free to use in the public domain,

or has been reproduced with permission, and/or source acknowledgement. RBW have researched rights where possible,

if anyone’s copyright is accidentally breached please inform us and we will remove the item with apologies. RBW is a

community organisation, whose aims are purely educational, and is entirely non-profit making. If using material from

this collection for educational purposes please be so kind as to acknowledge RBW as the source. Contributors retain the

copyright to their own work. Fiction: names, characters, places and incidents are imaginary or are being used in a ficti-

tious way. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead is entirely coincidental.

This bulletin is produced by volunteers. The editor’s decisions are final and not open to discussion.

© Rising Brook Writers 2014 — RCN 1117227 A voluntary charitable trust.