Merthyr Express column

16th Sept 10

Open Mic Night

This month’s Open Mic Night at the Imperial Hotel Merthyr Tydfil welcomes Gemma June Howell, tonight (Thursday, 16th September). This free event begins at 7.30pm and is sponsored by MTCBC Arts Development & Academi. For further information please contact: (01685) 725382 arts@merthyr.gov.uk.
Gemma June Howell grew up in Graig-Y-Rhacca, a small council estate in the Rhymney Valley. She moved to Folkestone when she was six, to Whitley Bay aged ten and back to Graig-Y-Rhacca when she was twelve years old. These experiences forged a strong awareness of the still embedded class differences which dominate British society. As a child, with her father’s encouragement, she became involved in political activism and attended Anti-Nazi League and ANC marches in London and Folkestone. Whilst studying for her A-Levels, she represented her age-group at local Labour Party meetings and was Chairwoman of the school council for two consecutive years. Her first taste of political writing was at the age of 16 when she joined the Red Poets Society for Poems and Pints, through which she frequented old men’s working clubs and pubs around the valleys to read her poetry. In 1999 she won second place at the Aber Valley Arts Competition for her poem, 'Fear of the Unknown'. Later, at Swansea University, 2002, Gemma took part in the many ‘Stop the War’ and ‘Not in My Name’ demonstrations. Whilst studying Politics & Media, she set up The Creative Writing Coalition and produced poetry magazine, Think Allowed! Since completing her Creative Writing MA two years ago she’s had excerpts from her plays broadcast and her first novel published by Hafan Books. She works as a freelance writer, events co-ordinator and promoter.

Red Poets 16
The sixteenth issue of the Red Poets annual magazine is now available for £4 (plus 90p postage = £4.90) from 7 Stryt Gerallt, Wrecsam, LL11 1EH. This year’s issue again features a number of celebrated authors from across Wales, including Merthyr poets Mike Jenkins, Alun Rees and Roy Morgan. For further information please contact info@redpoets.org

Poetry Competition
“Home is where the heart is! As a celebration for National Poetry Day 2010 “Home” is the inspiration for the Head for Arts poetry competition, with cash prizes: £100 for the winning entries in English and Welsh and £50 for the runners up. Finalists will be invited to read their poem to a panel of judges at the Poetry Party at Blackwood Miners Institute, hosted by poet Mike Church. The evening will also include an open mic slot and special guests. Each poem must be no more than fifty lines in length and on white A4 paper. All entrants must be over 18 and prepared to give a reading at Blackwood Miners Institute on Thursday evening, 6th October. The competition is open until Monday 20th September. For further information contact H4A – Head for Arts at Llanhilleth Institute, Abertillery on 01495 357816 or email: info@head4arts.org.uk. Head for Arts can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Eat On The Wild Side
If you’ve ever fancied getting back to basics and going on a Wild Food Hunt, then there’s an opportunity to go foraging in the woods, fields and hedgerows of Taf Fechan Nature Reserve, on a free walking Bushcraft Workshop. Dryad Bushcraft will be giving a lesson in edible herbs, fungi & fruit, and their medicinal and practical uses. Meet them at Cefn Coed Community Centre at 10am on Saturday 2nd October. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for a moderate (and possibly muddy) walk. Supervised children very welcome. For further information please contact Carys Solman on carys.solman@merthyr.gov.uk or 01685 726251.