The Jesmond Community Festival 2012 starts with a grand opening concert on Friday 27 April and lasts until Sunday 13 May. There is something for everyone, from toddlers to pensioners, including choral concerts, poetry readings, family activities, walking tours, music, a fair and much more!

As well as a Jesmond photograph exhibition and children’s treasure trail, the events below will be taking place at Jesmond Library.

Tyne Rhyme and Wine
Thursday 10 May, 6:15 – 7:45pm
A lively evening of readings by popular local poets Marilyn Longstaff, Sheree Mack and Chris Robinson.  Glass of wine and nibbles on arrival. Advance booking is required by phoning 0191 277 4100 or ask at any library.

Lunchtime Recital
Friday 11 May, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Jesmond Library, St George’s Terrace
Join us for an entertaining festival of music with local musician Mary Mooney. Refreshments available. No need to book.

Ian Gillard’s Forensic Workshop for Children
Saturday 12 May, 2pm – 3:30pm
 Jesmond Library, St George’s Terrace
Calling all budding young detectives! Find out how to investigate fingerprints, DNA and so much more at this fascinating workshop suitable for all children of school age. Advance booking is required by phoning 0191 277 4100 or ask at any library.

For more information visit the Jesmond Community Festival webpage.

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Award winning poet, Marilyn Longstaff, will be at City Library to read from her latest anthology which is called ‘Raiment’. This collection of poems explores how we clothe ourselves both physically and spiritually.

Find out more about ‘Raiment’.

6:30pm – 7:45pm
Thursday 6 October
City Library

Free tickets for this event are available from any library in Newcastle, by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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This years International Women’s Day is on Tuesday 8 March. It’s a day when thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.

We’ve got a great programme of free events lined up at Newcastle Libraries.

Hearts, Flowers and Power: The Romance Genre and Women
Tuesday 8 March 2011
2pm—4pm
Denton Burn Library
and,
Thursday 10 March 2011
6pm—8pm
Walker Library

Mills and Boon author Michelle Styles be visiting Denton Burn and Walker libraries to talk about the enduring popularity of romantic literature amongst women and answering questions from members of the audience. A native of San Francisco, USA, Michelle moved to Northumberland in 1988 and has resided there happily ever since.

During her career, Michelle has written many historical Mills and Boon titles including, ‘The Roman’s Virgin Mistress’ and ‘Taken by the Viking’.
If you love Mills and Boon, you will not want to miss this exclusive event! Book now to avoid disappointment.

‘Cassoulette’ – poetry workshops
Tuesday 8 March 2011
9:30am – 4pm
City Library
Apples and Snakes is an organisation devoted to performance poetry and for International Women’s Day they will be presenting the popular 3-woman poetry team ‘Cassoulette’.

The day will consist of three one and a half hour workshops, designed to help you cultivate your skills and discover the pleasure of poetry. The workshops will then culminate in a 30 minute performance incorporating stories and verses that have been composed during the sessions.  Workshops can be booked individually and all tickets are free. Don’t miss this exciting literary experience.

Belly dancing class
Wednesday 9 March 2011
11am – 11:45am
City Library
Join a belly dance taster session led by a professional teacher from Farida Dance in Newcastle. This is sure to be a fun and entertaining event, so reserve your place today!

City Library Tea Dance
Wednesday 9 March 2011
2pm – 4pm
City Library
Come along to this unique event to sample ballroom, latin and sequence dancing at a class taught by professional dance teacher, Jenifer Davison. There’s only space for 50 couples, so if you would like to dance the afternoon away, reserve your places now. It will be strictly marvellous! No experience necessary.

Girl’s Night In
Thursday 10 March 2011
5pm – 8pm
City Library
Why not celebrate International Women’s Day in style at our fantastic hair and beauty event? You will receive individually tailored, professional advice on nails, make—up and hair by Nails Inc, Yves Saint Laurent and stylists from Zanders hair salon in Newcastle. There will also be plenty of tasty treats to enjoy throughout the evening courtesy of Thornton’s chocolates. Don’t miss out on this spectacular event.

An introduction to…
Indian head massage 9:30am – 10:15am
Nail art 10:30am – 11:30am
Friday 11 March 2011
East End Library
The Lifelong Learning team will be visiting East End Library to demonstrate taster sessions of their classes in Indian head massage and nail art. Why not try out something new?

Reserve your places at any of the events above by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk or asking at any Newcastle library.

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Wednesday 23 February 2011
6:15pm, City Library

To book your free tickets phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Find out more about other Evolving English events.

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From 18 – 26 February we are inviting the people of Newcastle to go on record and be part of history in a project, in partnership with the British Library, which will celebrate the North East’s language and dialect.

There will be a special evening event to launch the Evolving English campaign hosted by local writer Johnny Handle, Viz founder Simon Donald and comedian Billy Mitchell who will celebrate everything Geordie through dialect poetry and comedy.

Saturday 19 February
7pm – 10pm at City Library

Please note: strong language is likely and this event is suitable for those aged 18 or over. Proof of age may be requested on the night.

Tickets are £5 and include a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink. To book your ticket phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk

If you can’t attend this event come to City Library and record your favourite Geordie words and phrases in a special booth which will take a sample of the region’s diverse accents for the British Library to archive! Or tell us your favourite word and be entered into a prize draw.

Find out more about Evolving English

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Wednesday 12 January, 6:30pm – 7:45pm at City Library

This event showcases the creative talents of local poets including Maggie Tate, Degna Stone, Catherine Graham and Sheree Mack. They will be reading extracts from their new collections and encouraging others to express their own ideas and creativity.

ID on Tyne supports new writing and literature in the North East and they aim to create a platform and audience for literature from diverse cultures.

To book you free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Books on Tyne is a three day celebration of books and writing to be held in City Library and at Newcastle College in association with Northumbria Press. With crime fiction, local history, poetry, drama, biography, cartooning and humour there’s something for everyone. Join a discussion, take part in a workshop or meet a host of talented writers.

The Books on Tyne festival takes place from Saturday 6 November to Monday 8 November 2010.

Simon Donald will be talking about his new book Him off the Viz and there will be talks by authors Ann Cleeves and Roz Southey. There are expert advice sessions on getting books published, theatre writing and writing children’s books. A full programme of events is available to download. All of the events are free but booking is advisable.

You can also take the opportunity to browse and buy a great range of books from local and national publishers at bargain prices. The Books on Tyne Festival is supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England.

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Katrina Porteous is a poet and historian living on the Northumberland coast. The interconnected human and natural history of that area informs her poetry publications; The Lost Music, The Wund an’ the Wetter, Dunstanburgh, Longshore Drift and The Blue Lonnen. She has been writer-in-residence to the Shetland Isles and the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, and is best-known for her poetry written for BBC radio. Katrina will be reading from several of these books, together with some new work .

The poetry event takes place on Wednesday 13 October from 6pm – 7:45pm at City Library. To book your free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk. Suitable for over 16’s.

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This poetry and prose event is presented by Biscuit Publishing and showcases the work of poets Asit Maitra & dramatist Val McLane.

Asit and Val will give an insight into their work through poetry readings and tips on writing when they visit Newcastle Libraries on Thursday 22 July from 6:30pm – 7:45pm.

Asit is an NHS consultant whose poetry draws upon his experiences in India and the North East. Val set up the Live Theatre Company in 1973 and has appeared in numerous TV, radio and film productions.
Free tickets are available from any Newcastle library, by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Budding writers and creative spirits in the North East are in luck as Newcastle’s Oxfam Bookshop provides a new outlet for the region’s poetic voice.

The Oxfam Bookshop on Hood Street, in association with The Journal newspaper, has launched its first poetry contest entitled ‘Oxfam Open Word’. The bookshop is calling on people of all ages across the area to submit their best creative efforts in a competition that will be judged by acclaimed local poet and creative writing expert Sheree Mack.

The competition, which will run from now until 19 June, is open in three age categories: under 12’s, under 16’s and adult’s (16+). Poems can be in any style and up to 40 lines in length. There is no specific theme, but their “favorite poems will be the ones that embody the spirit of Oxfam’s outlook and work around the world”, said Shop Manager Morgan Williams.

Entries can be e-mailed to oxfampoetry@oxfam.org.uk or sent to Oxfam Open Word, 8 Hood Street, Newcastle, NE1 6JQ. Make sure that you have clearly stated your name, age/ age bracket, contact details and title of the poem on your entry.

All shortlisted entries will see their work printed in the Journal and displayed in the shop. The best poet from each age category will also receive a £10 book voucher to be used in Oxfam Books & Music.

For more information please contact: Morgan Williams, Oxfam Books & Music (Shop Manager) 0191 322476 / oxfamshopf0246@oxfam.org.uk

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Monday 8 March

Pop in for a coffee and a chat at West End Library all day or at Denton Burn Library from 10am – 12noon.

Tuesday 9 March

Women at work: women of WW2, 2pm – 4pm at City Library, is a talk and workshop using heritage resources illustrating women’s war effort in the region. Part of the North East Festival of Learning.

There’s also a coffee morning from 10am – 12noon at Moorside Library. Share stories, experiences and information. Refreshments and cakes provided. All welcome including children.

Wednesday 10 March

Anne Perry is a bestselling crime writer and will be visiting City Library from 2pm – 4pm. Anne will talk about her new book Execution Dock. Suitable for ages 16 years and over. This event is free but places must be booked in advance by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Thursday 11 March

New Writing North has selected Carolyn as one of the Read Regional poets and authors who will tour the region this year promoting their books.  Carolyn Jess-Cooke will launch her new collection of poems Inroads at City Library from 6pm – 7:45pm. This event is suitable for ages 16 years and over. No tickets are required, just turn up.

Friday 12 March

Them Wifies and Theatre Pie perform Breaking the Cycle at City Library from 2:30pm – 3:15pm. Theatre Pie is a young women’s drama group who have recently created a play called “Breaking the cycle” which aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and the support available to women in the north east. Suitable for ages 16 years and over. No need to book, just turn up.

Sunday 14 March

Janet Bennett, harpist and singer with a striking gold harp and beautiful voice, will conclude the special celebrations of the week. Janet will perform a range of music and songs, including Northumbrian and Scottish airs at City Library from 4pm – 4:45pm. This is suitable for ages 16 years and over. No need to book, just turn up.

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”Been in the library earlier doing some writing and people watching/chatting. Below is another work in progress based on a conversation I had with an older gentleman who uses the library and something I heard a friend of his say to the lady behind the desk regarding ‘bringing back the stamp.”

You can read more of Mike’s work here.

Stamp

He says ‘You used to have a stamp. Now it’s all lasers and barcodes.’

He knows he’s getting old but he’s not averse to change.

He doesn’t mind the smooth lines,

Or the multicoloured scatter cushions.

He’s not phased by the computers or the coffee maker.

The fact that the Quiet Room has gone doesn’t bother him.

He knows the wall-pinned newspapers,

Were on the way out even then.

But if he misses one thing,

If he had one wish,

He would bring back the stamp.

That reassuring thud.

The rhythmic thump,

That takes him back

To visiting the library as a lad.

His dad unfolding Ordnance Survey maps,

Whilst he would head for Westerns and Crime.

Stamp.

Pulpy covers show square jawed men, fedora hats.

Stamp.

His dad’s rough fingers trace lines and tracks, plan next weeks hike.

Stamp.

Blotchy ink, muddy dates, the book’s history like a well-worn path.

Stamp.

His dad lifting him on to his lap, smell of ash and grass.

Stamp.

His dad’s crusty laugh, ‘not another cowboy’ and ‘two pages and we’ll head back.’

He says ‘You used to have a stamp. Now it’s all lasers and barcodes.’

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Sharing stories, poems and songs, inspired by people and places of Thornaby and the West End of Newcastle.

No need to book. Come along and enjoy the show with a free cup cake!

West End Library
Condercum Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 9JH

Tel 0191 2771500

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Places are limited so contact High Heaton library on 0191 2774233 to book.

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Catherine Graham and Sheree Mack will give a poetry reading at Newcastle City Library. Catherine Graham is a local writer and poet who lives in the West End of Newcastle. Sheree Mack was born in Bradford and was a teacher before becoming a writer. She has completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Northumbria and has been awarded the spotlight award from decibel and Arts Council England.

The event is free of charge and is for 18’s and over.

Tickets for the event are available from any Newcastle Library or by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk

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