Remembering The Homeless This Christmas

With just over a week to go until Christmas Day, my thoughts have turned to those people less fortunate, who may be spending their Christmas sleeping rough, relying on the hospitality of charities for their festive meal and drop in centres for temporary shelter to keep warm,  if they are luck enough to secure a bed.

Earlier this year I too experienced financial hardship for a few months and was struggling to pay my mortgage. This was on top of dealing with emotional turmoil following the first anniversary of my dad's death back in January, followed by the breakdown of a relationship in February which ended badly and not helped by a chain of events that followed. This all had a huge negative impact on me at the time. Things happened that I could never of predicted and planned for in advance. But I managed to get through that dark period, highlighting a inner strength that sometimes we don't know we have hidden deep inside. 

I now work as a contractor, earning more as a freelancer than I ever have before and the turmoil of the first half of 2013 is firmly behind me for now. But I will always remember the experience and it has taught me a lot about self-survival.  Through hard times we may lose a lover or two and shed a few friends but as a result we fight on and become stronger. We attract the right people who bring positives rather than negatives into our lives. 

So, as Christmas Eve draws closer, lets be thankful for what we have in our lives now, our health, a roof over our heads, a job, family and friends and reflect on those people who don't have these things we take for granted in their lives and have no choice but to sleep rough on our streets.  

Below is a poem I wrote in September after my own personal experiences of financial hardship and following a trip to a art gallery one lunchtime at work to view an exhibition of dog drawings, sketched by a talented artist who was sleeping rough on the streets of London with his beloved pet.

Homeless

The world seems so small as I look at your feet,

I sleep on cardboard, each day struggling to eat,

Lovers and friends gone, I see my family no more,

No shoes to walk in, my feet swollen and sore,

Your footsteps are cannons, you blow me out,

Everyone's a critic, what are you all about?

I look up in thirst as you spit on the ground.

You pat my dog but don't drop me a pound.

I am a nobody to you, I can see it in your eyes,

But once I was a somebody, is that a surprise?

A job in the City, a house in the countryside,

I dream of survival as I sleep with my pride.

I draw on experiences, canvases filled with strife,
Artwork on gallery walls, an ambition of life.
Money in my pocket, a room for the night,
I will always remember you, a future so bright.

A Community Spirit Lives On In W7

The memory of Alice Gross lives on in Hanwell

The second largest manhunt took place since the  7/7 London bombings when a 14-year-old local Hanwell girl, Alice Gross, went missing on 28 August. It took specialist teams more than a month to find her body. It was wrapped in plastic and found in an underwater grave in the Grand Union canal 15 minutes away from where I live. On 4 October convicted killer Arnis Zalkans, the prime suspect in her murder, was found hanged nearby in Boston Manor Park, four weeks after he was reported missing.

While people debated why the police took so long to find the body of Alice and why Arnis Zalkans's conviction of murdering his first wife in 1997 wasn't identified when he first entered the UK in 2007, my thoughts turned to the strength of the community spirit that shone through and became clear from seeing my fellow Hanwell residents come together in such devastating times. Earlier, after the local girl had gone missing, the community of Hanwell on behalf of her family, started a local campaign to Find Alice. This soon drew national attention through the extensive media coverage that developed following the murder. The whole of the UK's hearts became filled with hope and together united with Hanwell for the same cause, to find Alice.

Throughout the weeks following Alice going missing, Hanwell became dressed with yellow ribbons, a symbol of hope. These could be seen tied around posts, trees scattered along main roads, residential streets. Posters of Alice were visible on trees, in the windows of shops, houses, local businesses and tied to the entrance of parks and open spaces, including Elthorne Park, next to my flat.

Despite feeling vunerable during the period leading up to the discovery of Arnis Zalkans's body in Boston Manor Park in October, especially when walking home on my own past Elthorne Park, knowing that my neighbours were all united and actively pulling together while the search continued made me feel safe.

I have lived in Hanwell, a small village nestled in the borough of Ealing, since 1997. Hanwell is famous for where the Marshall amps story began, with regular visitors to Hanwell including legendary musicians Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townsend. Having lived in London for nearly 20 years, with 17 of these in Hanwell, I have seen people come and go and the community of Hanwell morph and change over the years. The one lesson I have learnt from the recent murder of Alice Gross is how something so tragic can only fuel more strength within a local community and bring everyone together both young and old, including people who have lived in Hanwell for years and those who are new to the area.

People often think that living in London must be an isolated and unfriendly experience but I often tell people it is not. I have made many friends over the 20 years I have lived in London. Some of my best friends I met when they were my neighbour, or from chatting at the local bus stop on my way to work each day. When people visit me in Hanwell they always say they have been made to feel welcome by the people they meet.

Wherever you live, feeling that you are part of a community is important. Today, the yellow ribbons, flowers, messages and candles still lie beside Hanwell's Clock Tower.The murder of local girl Alice Gross has highlighted to both the national media and to the UK as a whole how strong and alive the local community spirit is in Hanwell W7. RIP Alice Gross.

People Have A Global Voice On Climate Change In London

Me at London's People's Climate March 

On 21 September, I took part in the People's Climate March, the largest combined global climate march in history, with 2,646 solidarity events taking place in 162 countries, including here in London. On that Sunday, over 40,000 people attended the London rally from across the UK, with all ages taking part, from grandparents to children, founding campaigners and future generation of social media campaigners united. I carried my Avaaz banner, promoting the need to take responsibility for cleaner energy and chatted to interesting people from across the UK.

My friend David, who is a fantastic photographer, joined me on this peaceful march and he took some wonderful shots, in particular as we walked past Whitehall towards the Palace of Westminster, where the march ended with speeches by campaigners including the musician Peter Gabriel and actress Emma Thompson. I was pleased to learn later that 400,000 people attended the New York climate change march on 20 September, making it the largest rally in history.

My first experience of campaigning harks back to the late 80s, when I took part in a series of anti-war marches as a student  in Sheffield, with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) symbol scrawled on the back of my denim jacket. The passion for campaigning continued throughout the five years I spent as a student and continues now. Anti-war campaigning has been the main theme over the years for me, including protesting against the Iraq War in 2012 and a Stop The War Coalition march in 2013. However, the environment and the effects of 'global warming' have become increasingly more important to me over the last decade.

Recycling each week is not enough for me and I believe more needs to be done to raise awareness of the irreversible damage that a build up of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere can do to our natural environment, our health and well-being. By acting now on simple things like changing the way we use our energy and manage our waste, we can prevent further damage before it is too late. We should not depend on the large corporates to be the only ones who need to change to make a difference. We also need to change our own behaviours, in order to prevent irreversible damage to our natural habitat. 

I also went to see the film Pride on 19 September, which I recommend going to see if you haven't already but remember to take a tissue, as tears may flow in a good way.  This inspiring film, set in the summer of 1984, when Margaret Thatcher is in power, tells the story of a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists who raised money to support a Welsh community of miners on strike, organised by the National Union of Mineworkers.

The two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all. Something that was achieved across the 162 countries that took part in the People's Climate Marches this month.

Read more here about the  People's Climate March London

Beating To The Bush Before Launch Of The Ironic Fantastic Issue #3

Beating about the Bush on 3 September

Well, here I am two weeks after I went to see Kate Bush perform on 3 September at the Hammersmith Apollo. Right from the start until the end, the crowd were engaged, not only with Kate but also by the amazing set design and special effects that left you craving for more surprises. A short technical hitch, an hour into the first set, couldn't dampen the excited crowd's spirits. Kate made sure we, her fans, didn't missed out. The show continued for an additional half an hour. With an 11pm curfew at the venue, Kate's management team must of paid a fine to allow the show to run in its whole entirety.

The whole event was a musical extravaganza, that not only led the fans through a personal journey with Kate, but was also a unique theatrical experience. Her 16 yr old son Bertie, who allegedly influenced her to tour, also performed throughout the show. Perhaps Kate timed her return around Bertie being at an age where he could participate too.

Kate's triumphant return at 56 has now set the standard high on how future live music events should be delivered. Her blend of raw music talent and creative choreography made the crowd feel like they had travelled back in time to 1979, when she last performed and in the same venue. It was the music highlight of 2014 for me and the special effects topped those used in Roger Water's The Wall at the O2 back in 2013. Considering the size difference of Hammersmith Apollo, compared to that of the O2, it was a great creative use of space within a small venue and I wait now with baited breath to see if Kate will return for another tour in the near future.

Three other significant events took place over the last few weeks:

I was interviewed on Oystermouth radio over the Bank Holiday weekend, where I promoted my two poems and a short story which are featured in the Ironic Fantastic anthology issue #3. I also got to select a few of my favourite songs, including one by Kate Bush in between. You can listen to the interview by clicking on this link

I have had two of my poems and a short story featured in the Ironic Fantastic issue #3. The anthology is packed with some amazing international emerging writers, poets and illustrators. It was edited by my talented writer friend Paulo Brito, also known as Oulipo Brat (an anagram of his name). You can download it for free by clicking on this link

Finally at 2am, early this morning, the Duffin clan saw a new arrival when my brother Malcolm's partner Ceri gave birth to a baby girl, Erin Duffin. I am now a proud Aunt to a lovely little girl and her two year old brother, as well as continuing my role as Auntie Fi to my oldest brother Douglas's three grown up boys. I was only 21 when I first became an Aunt, how time flies. It feels like it was BEFORE THE DAWN.

Beer, Live Music And An Ironic Fantastic Radio Interview In Mumbles

A Giggle and Gossip in the Oystermouth Radio studio

The Bank Holiday weekend has drawn to an end and while Londoners celebrated the vibrant and colourful Notting Hill Carnival I spent the last four days in Swansea, South Wales, where I stayed near the Mumbles with my lovely friend Liz. On Saturday a group of us went beer tasting at the Brangwyn Hall, where as a fan of real ale, I got to sample a selection of some of Wales's finest locally sourced craft ales. This included a local Mumbles gravity beer 'Pilot Wrecker' and Porthmadog's 'Dark Side Of The Moose', which as a Pink Floyd fan I would recommend trying, not just because of it's name but also for the deep malt flavour from roasted barley and a fruity bitterness from Bramling Cross hops.

Working for Brains brewery, Liz of course was the perfect guide at this event. By the time we hit the Uplands music festival later that evening, I was ready to dance along to an eclectic mix of music as we watched the bands entertain the Swansea crowd.

Every girl likes a good gossip and yesterday was no exception. On Monday, I found myself being interviewed for an hour in a recording studio in the Mumbles. My visit to Swansea over the Bank Holiday weekend was of course for pleasure. But I was also there to talk about a short story and two poems that I wrote on Liz's 'Giggle and Gossip' chat show for Oystermouth Radio and play a few of my favourite tunes in between, including one by Kate Bush.

My two poems and short story have been included in the latest Ironic Fantastic anthology, which showcases the work of emerging and established international absurdist, quirky, unusual, whimsical and ironic fiction writers, illustrators and poets. Series three is edited by the writer and Oulipo poet Paulo Brito, who is based in Portugal.

I have known Paulo for several years and his enthusiasm towards promoting new writers, illustrators and poets like myself has always shone through. I know that this new anthology collection, like the previous two anthologies, will touch many people both young and old. I hope my friends will enjoy reading it as much as I will.

The first poem 'Am I Stuck Indoors? ' is dedicated to a Sri Lankan cocker spaniel and my second poem needs no introduction, as it was written for my late father, Edward Douglas Duffin. In this poem I have shared some of his experiences, including living in Egypt during the Suez Crisis and Africa as a young man, where he played rugby with Idi Amin. My short story 'Sun Dancing In Winter' is a nod towards the birth of the Blues and Rhythm scene in Ealing that emerged in the late 60s and was where music legends like The Who and The Rolling Stones first 'cut it'. Ealing is also where I currently reside and have lived since 1997.

My 'Giggle and Gossip' interview will be aired on Oystermouth Radio on Saturday 30th August,  between 5pm and 6pm. It will then be repeated on Sunday 31st August, between 7pm and 8pm. To listen to it log on to tunein.com and search for Oystermouth Radio, or like the Giggle and Gossip Facebook page and sign up to listen to the interview.

The Ironic Fantastic series 3 is free and will be released on 7th September. Watch this space for the link to download the anthology, which I will also publish on my Twitter and Facebook pages in September. You can also like The Ironic Fantastic event page on Facebook, which will keep you posted on the latest writers, poets and artists added to the anthology between now and the launch date.

Kate Mania Is Going Further Than The Bush

Today the Independent published an article about the pop phenomenon that is Kate Bush. It is not news to me that Kate is a huge influence on contemporary musicians today. From her first appearance in 1978, this mysterious and glamorous beauty first tugged at my musical heart strings through a TV screen in my parent's sitting room. As a little girl with a 'Purdy' haircut, I was captivated by her dance moves and facial expressions used to tell the story of 'Wuthering Heights'.

Who was this mysterious and glamorous beauty? I wanted to be Kate but I couldn't be her. My hair  was blonde and too short to crimp but I did dance around my bedroom trying to recreate those irregular dance moves in front of my mirror, failing badly to hit the high notes that Kate is known for.

Kate's retreat away from the public eye a year later only added more mystery to her appeal, fueling media and public interest. Every young girl wanted to recreate the 'Glamorous Witch'  look, every teenage girl aspired to have long black hair and that arty block fringe. Red lipstick and black eyeliner were an essential part of my make up bag as a teenager.

As a teenager,  I dabbled with different looks, from being a new romantic, to a goth in the mid 80's. Listening to Joy Division and the Bauhaus, Kate still featured high in my record collection. At University my fashion style changed as I emerged as a grungy indie chick but I still found time to fit Kate in between The Stone Roses and Nirvana. With metal magazine Kerrang voting Kate Bush the most beautiful woman in the UK for several years in the late 80's and early 90's,  its no wonder Kate  influenced my style during my student days, with Annie Lennox and Blondie not far behind. My student days and music cassettes have long gone but Kate is still firmly embedded in a bookcase, among my extensive 1,000+ CD collection.

At the start of 2014, the rumour became a reality, Kate Bush announced she would be touring in September after 35 years since her last live performance. From the UK, America, through to Australia, my Facebook news feed was over spilling with friends posts about this exciting news. My friend Dom was one of the lucky ones to get through on the phone, getting tickets for himself and his partner on Wednesday 3rd September at Hammersmith Apollo. The good news is, he also got a ticket for me.

Soon I will be digging out my red lipstick and eyeliner, styling my dark red hair and venturing from my small tiny flat in Hanwell, heading past Shepherd's Bush to finally make one of  my dreams come true in Hammersmith. I may not be Kate Bush but in a few weeks time I am finally going to see her.

But now as a fully grown Kate Bush fan, will I still be able to hit those high notes and perform those irregular dance moves without a mirror in front of me? I'll leave that to the imagination and will let you know after the gig I like to believe is going to be my music event highlight of the year. I may not be the next pop phenomenon but Britain certainly has got a talent, in the name of Kate Bush.

We must not forget that Kate Bush has not just been a success overnight but over the last three decades. To see her back delighting fans both old and new at the Hammersmith Apollo next month, will definitely be an experience I will remember in years to come.