Hearts and poems

I’ve been asked to be poet in residence for this lovely festival. I went last year as a contributing poet, and feel deeply honoured by this opportunity to be more involved. My plan is to spend the weekend writing in situ, taking inspiration from whatever is going on around me, and whatever anyone chooses to share. At the far end there will be some sort of Heart Festival collection.

Those of you who know me well know that yoga isn’t for me. It isn’t a good choice for hypermobile people. I have done a little, but only with someone I really trusted. It is not a coincidence that he’s at the heart of the Heart festival. I’m there for the sacred arts side and looking forward to seeing how this develops.

I haven’t camped in a lot of years. I used to do it for Druid Camp and found it hugely physically challenging. I’d end up sleep deprived, stiff and sore. However, I think it’s feasible to have another go. I sleep a lot better these days. The role of poet invites wafting around gently and being able to take things at my own pace. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to do it.

I used to love going to festivals, camping, and being in that kind of immediate and intense community space for short bursts. I’m hoping I can have that back, and that maybe folk festivals can be back on the agenda for next year, too. I’m enjoying exploring more events. Keith’s support makes it so much more feasible to go to things, so if you’re interested in booking me for music, as a speaker, or to do workshops, I’m much more open to that than I’ve been in previous years.

I really enjoyed my time at last year’s Heart Festival. It’s a lovely space, and a welcoming one. I was impressed by last year by the strong sense of community given that the festival had not run before. It’s a cooperative, collaborative, supportive space and I look forward to seeing how it develops. It’s not huge, so it’s not overwhelming, the location is lovely and the site infrastructure is very good. Do consider coming along!