Full house again at the Redroaster for Pighog, with even more excitement because they are acting as host to poets from other small presses. Tonight it was the turn of Nicholas Murray (Melos Press, Rack Press).
Nicholas, a seasoned poet and performer, read from his book ‘Acapulco’ which contains nearly thirty new poems and work drawn from his earlier collections. His longest poem ‘Get Real!’ is a powerful verse satire on the coalition Government and was performed by the Iris Theatre Company at St Paul’s, Covent Garden, in 2011.
Beth Somerford is a well versed performance poet with gentle humour and brilliant play on words. Her poem based on Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet ‘How do I not love thee’ was both witty and well crafted. I have never seen Beth perform before but having checked the web I discovered she is well established as a poet and performer. But then I am fairly new to the poetry scene in comparison to most.
Tonight however the really big excitement on the block was Judith Cair with the launch of her Pighog Sussex Series ‘The Ship’s Eye.’ The blurb on her beautifully produced book says ‘Judith Cair’s is an intrepid poet of proximity and distance, making connections between classical and myth and present-day Sussex.’ To hear her read her own poems charting a ‘path through elusive forests of memory’ was something not to be missed.
Of course the open mic’ers add to the proceedings but best to get there early to be on the list. Pighog is lucky to have volunteers who video, do all kinds of things behind the scenes and of course the lovely staff of Redroaster, with wine, beer, tea, coffee and cakes for the intervals.
The latest innovation is something called ‘streaming’ so if you can’t be there next time it would be worth checking it out and watching the event at home.
Pighog has a great book stall and often ‘special offers’ all under the direction of Dina the very lively addition to Pighog’s marketing.
The event itself is organised and compered by Michaela Ridgway, 
who will be reading her own poems at the New Venture Theatre in Brighton on Sunday 5th May on the same bill as Maria Jasgtrzebska and John McCullough and founding editor Jeremy Page to celebrate the 30th birthday of the 81st issue of the Frogmore Poets Magazine.
I happen to know there are still some seats available so book now. It is likely to be popular night for everyone including established and apprentice poets alike, to listen, love and in the case of the latter (like moi) maybe to learn a thing or two as well!
Thurs 25 Apr
John O’Donoghue (Pighog Press)
Linda Black (Shearsman and Hearing Eye)
Deborah Tyler-Bennett (Smokestack Press)
Best to book the above asap, there was standing room only last night.
Ann Perrin 