by poetry editor Anita Foxall. Toy Fights, a Boyhood is the wonderful memoir by poet Don Paterson. However, straight at the beginning, we are warned not to expect poetry, as this book stops where the poetry begins. However, widely aware poetry cannot be omitted from his life, Patterson brought...
Suburban Safari: Focus on the Crocus
words and pictures by Katie Isham. Word on the street is spring is here. Some might say it’s fool’s spring, but let’s embrace it anyway. The treasure we’re hunting for today is never bothered by winter regardless: these tiny, mighty flowers laugh in the face of hail and welcome...
Review: The Mousetrap, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, February 28
by Joy McKay. Agatha Christie’s classic ‘WhoDunit’ was originally written in 1947 as a radio sketch named ‘Three Blind Mice’ for the birthday of Queen Mary, but first opened as ‘The Mousetrap’ we know today in 1952. It is famously the world’s longest running play having a continuous run...
Interview: Midge Ure chats ahead of his Voice and Visions tour
by Peter Nicholson. There are a number of household names that spring to mind when the music chat turns to the 1980s, but there’s always one event that is remembered over all others… Live Aid. The two hugely ambitious concerts, separated by the Atlantic Ocean were arguably the first...
Review: February Words at Whiskey poetry evening, featuring Benjin
by Andy Buchanan This is a relatively new monthly poetry night held at the Whiskey Blue bar in London Road, Southampton but it is organised by local poet Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly (pictured top). You may know Issa as the face of Southampton City of Culture’s bid, but Issa has...
Drawing on the Outside group bringing men together through art
Drawing on the Outside is a programme of making sessions for men, a space for socialising and drawing together. The group has been meeting in St Mary’s Church Hall off Wessex Lane, and in Swaythling Train Station in Mansbridge since September. The informal and relaxed sessions are open to...
Review: Tuto Tribe, Whiskey Blue, Southampton, February 24
words and photos by Peter Nicholson. I wondered what the collective noun for saxophones was. A quick Google search revealed that it might be a “hornucopia”, but there were lots of other suggestions… “a wall”, “a lush”, “a blossom”, and others. I’d like to add “Tribe” of saxophones to...
Reader’s letter: Let them eat turnips!
by Charlotte Ndupuechi. It feels like we are falling down yet another rabbit hole of totally ridiculous situations in the UK. The Credit Crunch, the Bankers Crash, Covid and now the cost of living crisis. It seems the incompetent UK government are set to drive us from one absurd situation...
Review: Charlie and Stan at MAST Mayflower Studios, February 21
by Martin Brisland. This show is genius! A truly original and unique tale of two men that revolutionised comedy in the early 20th century. A ‘Told By An Idiot’ production, Charlie and Stan premièred in early 2020 for the London International Mime Festival. It is written and directed by...
Candlelit vigil to be held in Southampton to mark one year of war in Ukraine
A candlelit vigil will be held in Southampton on Friday, February 24, to mark one year of war in Ukraine. People are invited to meet at the city’s Bargate at 6.30pm before walking through the city to the Peace Fountain in East (Andrews) Park, where there will be a...