Bard of Suffolk 2012

You might remember that I won the Bard of Suffolk competition in 2011 a title that lasts until the competition this year.

The date for the 2012 competition has just been announced its July 8th and again at West Stow Country Park. The organisers are making a big change this year, there will be a seperate competition for storytellers and poets, up to now its been combined.

This years theme is Love and I am not allowed to enter this year, I am instead a judge for the storytelling.

So if you know a storyteller or poet  who wants to have a go, have a look at the Suffolk Eisteddford website, the rules are on there and get in touch with Robin Herne the main man.

Suffolk Skald and Great Crested Newt License

Its been a bit like waiting for a bus these last couple of days for me.

You wait for ages for something meaningful and useful to happen then along come two at onceish.

Went to the second Suffolk Eisteddfod last Sunday and entered as I did last year, was not sure how I would get on, I got nowhere last year. I did my best as you can see in the photo below.

Lo and behold when it comes to the judges decision, I was the winner, so now I am the 2011 Chief Skald of Suffolk. And as no one else might let you know I am doing it myself trumpet in hand, well not literally of course.

Then the next day I check my work emails and lo and behold 2, I have been granted a Great Crested Newt Science and Education license, I applied for it hoping but not sure if I would get it, it must have been the good reference I had from my usual ecology work employer. Hopefully it will prove useful work wise.

So as things stand I am sitting here waiting for a third piece of good luck in as many days, should I hold my breath???

Astounding Day and Time

Well that's a headline for you now I expect you are after content.

Blog at least once a week at least I was told on Tuesday, so here I am.

Been thinking I need a website which is how I came to hear the blog weekly comment at a Business Direct workshop. Yea see I am trying to make a go of working for myself, trying is the word though.

Been an interesting few days, done some gardening, told some stories for a group in Suffolk this afternoon. Then more importantly to show the circle keeps turning the farmers are now flat out with harvest. Yes I know not much of a link there but it is all linked, well in my head anyway.

One of them weeks

Well its been one of them weeks is about all you can say really I suppose, here in Cambridgeshire we have got off lighly as usual. Its been lovely to look at but I have not managed to earn much because of the cold and snow and frozen ground. Still did manage to catch up on a few bits and pieces so cant have been all bad.

Also got in a planned trip to Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, which is where both of the pictures were taken yesterday, the 4th, the first of Tranmer House and the second of Mound 1. It was about lunchtime when they were taken and it was a tad dull as you can see but I couldnt resist them.

The thaw temporary as it might be had set in the precious night so the roads were not bad. Went down for a study day on the Anglo Saxons not my first and quite possibly not my last, very interesting period of English history.


Anyway the place looked lovely and brought back memories of when I was studying full time at Otley College and then working in Ipswich for the Borough Council more years ago than I care to remember. They were some good times though in Suffolk and I still keep in touch with some of the folks I met and worked with then.

Like my old boss Michael and Barry one of the arborists as well as a few of my old classmates like Simon and Andrew and Kevin, aahh happy days, beer and chips on the seafront at Southwold or a bit of bird watching along the coast trying not to freeze to death in the cold or fry in the heat. I can remember a Hen Harrier at Shingle Street one freezing sunday afternoon in oohh it must have been the winter of 88/89.

Anyway enough rambling I should get on theres a special coming up fast I am told cant think what!!!!!!

fenland tales

Told a couple of stories last night in Brandon Suffolk, told at the leisure centre with two other members of Cambridge Storytellers. A set called Fenland Stories in a short series of events being run in Brandon as part of an east anglian folk month.

Last week they had Ramsey Storytellers, next weekend Hugh Lupton telling The Mardling Acre and if you have not heard storytelling or think its for children go see Hugh he is an amazing teller.

Its good to see they are trying to raise the profile of storytelling and more importantly the gathering of local stories that contain the history of the area its characters and happenings.

bard of suffolk

No I didnt win but I had a go which is the important thing. It was held at West Stow Anglo Saxon village and a great place to tell to a very appreciative audience.

Told a story about how Suffolk got its name from the Angles, took a lot of research but I reckon I can do more with the story and make it more than just Suffolk. Yes thats right stories with history from the flat bit.