The wonderful Francis Harvey. 1925-2014

Diabetics outnumber Celiacs in the UK and Ireland. While supermarkets have 'free from' gluten sections, they don't have 'low sugar' sections. You might find a few low sugar items in the 'free from' section, but very rarely. Isn't Shouldn't supermarkets address this? #tesco #sainsbury #waitrose #m&s

Canada, Norway and Sweden have been named the countries with the best international reputations.

The John Hewitt Summer School will be held earlier in 2026: June 29th to July 4th. The move is necessitated by major renovations to the Market Place Theatre in July. @artscouncilireland.bsky.social @poetryireland.bsky.social @irishlittimes.bsky.social

Dean Browne @deanbrowne.bsky.social (@picadorbooks.bsky.social) and Eilish Martin (@machapress.bsky.social) are this year's poets for the John Hewitt Birthday Reading Oct 27th Tickets selling well. www.poetryireland.ie/whats-on/joh...

Will it take another Admiral Duncan bomb for someone to speak out? @archbishopofyork.org @elpidophoros.goarch.org @thearchbishop.bsky.social

Nothing from mainstream media? @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @itvnews.bsky.social @theguardian.com @skynewsrss.bsky.social @the-independent.com @ukparliament.parliament.uk @london.gov.uk @london.gov.uk

The black-shirted Kings Army is a group of far right 'Christian' fanatics. They recently occupied Compton St, Soho, to protest Queer lives. See the photo to appreciate just how evil they are. And they are proud to display photos of their leadership, too.

My time at Cove Park (Rosneath) is proving productive. How could not be, given the setting and the people who run it. @covepark.bsky.social

Currently at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, living the life with a lovely group of artists, musicians and writers. I'm here to translate poems by Jules Supervielle. The going is good.

My first such mention. Thank you. (I hope the poem doesn't disappoint!)

3 from the National Gallery, London: Stubbs, Delaroche, and Caravaggio.

Dean Atta decided to remain on the Polari Prize longlist but expressed solidarity with those, like Sanah Ahsan, who have withdrawn their work for consideration. Sitting in Foyles, about to have a very cursory look at both.

The always wonderful Frank this week features the always wonderful poetry of Scott McKendry. Yaba daba doo! open.spotify.com/episode/1jav...

John Boyne is simply Graham Linehan with a career

To all the trans haters, time to buy more tissues: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...

Half the first book prize, 40% of judges and a third of the main prize! It’s not looking great Polari.

4 Bermudian poets for your delectation, reading at ICA London on Tuesday July 15th. Yours truly, Yesha Townsend, Chris Astwood & Alan Smith. @lrb.co.uk @londonreviewbookshop.co.uk @poetrylondon.bsky.social @lgbtqreads.bsky.social @poetrysociety.bsky.social www.ica.art/exhibitions/...

If you're in London on July 15th, it would be lovely to see you at this reading with 4 Bermudian poets. At the ICA. Details and tickets in link. www.ica.art/exhibitions/...

What a wonderful, inspiring and well thought out workshop today. Thank you so much @leoneross.bsky.social . The beautiful setting and amazing lunch by @pmaddern.bsky.social made it all the more special.I’d recommend the River Mill wholeheartedly. 😊

The River Mill is thrilled to be hosting a short story workshop with the celebrated writer @leoneross.bsky.social . See photo for details. April 19th Limited to 12 participants We anticipate places going quickly.

A photo getting much attention, and rightly so. Churchill visiting the White House during WWII, wearing military dress, not a suit. Pathetic that "I was lucky to escape any real fighting" @jdvance1.bsky.social should mock a military man for representing his forces in this way.

Some recent and wonderful additions to the River Mill library. @lindamckenna.bsky.social @garrettcarr.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @doirepress.bsky.social

A standing-room-only crowd at the Seamus Heaney Centre tonight to celebrate the launch of Garrett Carr's The Boy from the Sea (Picador). Great to see this level of support and admiration for Garrett. And introduced by the always stupendous Louise Kennedy .

The soul replenishes here. I recommend nowhere more highly

"The sun slid lower and I willed gold and it came" (poet Jean Bleakney). A beautiful day at the mill. Open through May, at least. See www.the-river-mill.co.uk

If you come to the mill for a spell of writing, be prepared to overdose on DJ's cuteness. (He belongs to the neighbours but visits daily.) www.the-river-mill.co.uk

Alternative and better viewing. It's his day, after all. youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s?...

Paul Singer, via the Elliott Hedge Fund, invests in Israel, owns Waterstones & Barnes&Noble, invests in fossil fuels and is a massive donor to Trump's campaigns. He also supports SSM legislation because his son is gay. Make sure you examine who supports your rights & who is selling your books.

Frosty day at the River Mill, so cuddles on the sofa with DJ (the neighbour's kitty) were essential. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

The deadline for the James Merrill House 2025/26 writing residencies is Jan 13th. The month I spent there was productive and the setting glorious, so I'd urge you to apply. www.jamesmerrillhouse.org/apply

Merry Christmas one and all. Pictured: Eddie, my host's dear and quite old kitty, who is a very sweet companion.

Poet Emma Must will conduct an Eco-poetry workshop weekend at the River Mill Feb 1 & 2. 1 day option possible. Details in the link (scroll down). If you're interested email [email protected] www.emmamust.com?fbclid=IwY2x...

Hello, London. Buckle up!

As part of our commitment to develop diverse writing talent the Writers’ Guild of Ireland, with the support of Fís Éireann’s Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, are pleased to announce the WGI Mentorship for Black Irish Screenwriters scheme. script.ie/whats-new/20...

I mean, here’s a crazy idea but if you can’t create this technology without breaching copyright law then maybe you need to figure out a way to develop your new toys that doesn’t involve mass piracy.

A wonderful £1.00 find in Belfast today. Leather tooled cover, 1911 dedication, a handwritten poem and Whitman's gem. @waltwhitmanok.bsky.social

This arrived today: YA novel from Bermudian based writer, Elizabeth Jones,winner of a Bermuda Government Literary Award 2023 and the Caribbean's Burt Award for Young Adult Literature. I've heard wonderful things about this and it will be my Christmas read.

Night sky in Co Down

I've been away from the River Mill for a few days and it was great to snuggle with DJ for a while. (He belongs to the neighbours and visits frequently.)

Well, I can die happy now. Thank you Douglas.

A few recent snaps from the River Mill. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

The River Mill will be open Jan through March at least. Individual, group, and self catering group options are available Individual: www.the-river-mill.co.uk/rooms-prices Groups: www.the-river-mill.co.uk/group-rate If you want to pay for a loved one/colleague email me at [email protected].

Last year in Stonington, CT, at the lighting of the lobster trap Christmas tree. I was at @jamesmerrillhouse.bsky.social, and it was an amazing month. Applications for writing residencies are open until Jan 13. www.jamesmerrillhouse.org/apply

Congratulations to Pàdraig. Terrific choice. amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.theg...

I will never, ever get over this.

It was really great to see Kathryn’s ‘The Butterfly House’ get a mention in Rishi Dastidar’s The Best Poetry Books of 2024 www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

The River Mill Writers Retreat is still open. The sale doesn't seem to be happening. So bookings are available in Jan and Feb. Start 2025 with a renewed attack on that writing project. See the website for rooms & prices. Group rates and self-catering options also available. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

This makes me very happy. Pictured with Susannah Dickie, just after she won the inaugural Pen Heaney Prize for her collection, Isdal, from Picador. She's a wonder. The ceremony was hosted by the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University.