Review - Settle
Sessions, 17 April, The Folly
Settle
Sessions' third Year got off to a flying start last Friday
evening with a stimulating programme illustrating the broad
range that this group seeks to encompass.
Two
of the North's most highly-regarded prizewinning poets, Carole
Bromley from York and Carole Coates from Lancaster were a perfect
foil for each other.
Carole
Bromley's poems were pithy, firmly set in the everyday world, and
expressed wry humour, pathos and empathy in a manner that was both
matter-of-fact and yet highly sensitive. Carole Coates' work was more
expansive and narrative in style. The depth of her creativity was
evident in populating the imaginary country of Kor. She has a
novelist's eye and it was no surprise to hear that next year she is
publishing a novel in verse – something to look out for.
These
readings were very effectively interspersed with contributions from
Hilary Holdsworth reading her own amusing short story 'A Blast from
the Past' warning of the dangers of the Friends Reunited website;
Floe Shakespeare shared two poems by John Davies and Maya Angelou,
centuries apart in style and content. Ann Pilling and John
Raubenheimer gave readings from the work of Elizabeth Bishop, one of
America's greatest 20th
century
poets.
Anne
Read
Carole Coates writes: I'm really glad you enjoyed the reading. I particularly liked coming to Settle. The venue was unique, the audience excellent, the organisation faultless. There was also an easy, friendly and laid-back atmosphere which I appreciated.... I will try and get to more Settle Sessions. I enjoyed that one so much. So I hope I'll see you again.
Other
Sessions this year will be in June, September and November. Tickets
for the evening are £6 (£5.50 for members) available from Cave and
Crag, The Courtyard Dairy, The Folly and 01729 823305. Become a
member for £2 and play your part in making Settle Sessions even
better! More details are at www.settlesessions.co.uk.
