Sunday 8 March 2009
5pm
Migvie Church, Tarland
Poetry with Sheena Blackhall and Gerard Rochford
Sunday 8 March 2009
7pm
Left Bank, Tarland
Poetry with Kenneth Steven and Douglas W. Gray
Monday 23 March 2009
7pm
Station Hotel, Stonehaven
Writing Workshop with Magi Gibson
Friday 27 March 2009
7pm
Salmon Bothy, Portsoy
Viking Poetry: Ian Crockatt's Skald
Sunday 29 March 2009
2pm
Brander Library, Huntly
Renga Workshop with Colin Will
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Wordfringe Spring Events
March 2009
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Viking Poetry: Ian Crockatt's ‘Skald’
Friday 27 March 2009
7pm
Salmon Bothy, Portsoy
(map)
Admission £4
to include refreshments and nibbles
Gamrie-based poet Ian Crockatt's latest book Skald, published by Koo Press, has been described
as "stunning", and the use of language as "riveting". Skald is a feisty series
of 30 poems written in a form developed by Viking court poets. Come and hear it
for yourself at the Salmon Bothy.
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It has already been stated that Ian Crockatt should be merited a gold star for his
use of language. And few who read this stunning work will think otherwise. The Skalds
were professional poets employed by the kings of the Viking courts between the 9th
and 13th centuries, in essence recording glorious victories and fallen heroes that
would in turn become legends. However, from such a ragged existence uniformity is
the name of the game here, and in these octets with their six syllable lines, the
lively narrative, be it brutal or tender, lifts these words from the page. Disturbing.
Vivid. Tender. For the full impact of these poems, though, pick up this book, pace
the floor and read it out aloud!
Douglas W. Gray
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Ian Crockatt has published 5 collections of poetry to date, the last two
being Blizzards of the Inner Eye (Peterloo Poets, 2003) and The Lyrical Beast
(CD, Salix Publications, 2004). He was assisted in work on the latter, and production
of the CD, by a Scottish Arts Council bursary and a Banff and Buchan Arts Forum
grant. Original Myths, (Cruachan Publications, 2001), with etchings by Paul
Fleming, was short-listed for the Saltire Society's Scottish Book of the Year Award.
He is currently working on a selection of translations of Rilke's poetry with a
view to publication by ARC Publications, and with the support of a second Scottish
Arts Council bursary. He lives on a croft in North Aberdeenshire with his wife Wenna,
who is a ceramic artist and Adult Learning Co-ordinator.
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