Heroes and Heroines in verse

As it's national poetry day (Heroes and Heroines theme) I thought I ought to recognise the local contribution to such

http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/

Here at South End Green local businessman Jonathan Bergman has organised a series of local poets to come along and recite some of their works.

It's a great little slam and attracts a really nice crown - it's been on saturday morning and it just the sort of thing that should be encouraged.

With John Keats' house so close by this sort of thing should be encouraged and having been to a recent poetry slam at hampstead school the effect of this sort of thing is really good on the pupils and young people involved...

Anyone for a poetic platform locally?

"Live differently" - living life as a Blakean

I have an interest in romantic 19th century poet Robert Bloomfield. Such an obscure poet (he was the best selling poet of his lifetime and indeed one of the best selling of the entire Victorian period) means you end up referencing your interest by the 'other' more household names.

In the case of Robert Bloomfield these are John Clare and William Blake. Clare was the great articulation of rural england and his reputation is increasingly being restored to public attention - Blake has enjoyed long recognition as illustrator, artist, poet and of course the author of 'jerusalem'. But of course, Blake has acted as an inspiration to many and some, try and lead lives that are actively Blakean...

All three poets have a respective society, but one of the leading champions of William Blake, his work, his lifestyle and beliefs, Peter Cadogan, has passed away: http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2007/112207/obit112207.html

Here is what others said about him:

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2007/11/part-of-kilburn-has-passed-away.html

And for more on William Blake - this is a good start:

http://www.blakean.com/Blake1.html

and this is of contemporary interest in placing Blake in context:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/11/blakean_visions_in_south_londo.html