Author: stevendouglasblog

Born in 1954. Chequered career including Lecturer in English, Social Worker and Lecturer in Social Work. Had breaks related to mental health that also meant I worked in social care. Now retired.

Reflecting upon Celia Paul (2019) ‘Self-Portrait’ London, Jonathan Cape.

November 29, 2019

Celia Paul (2019) Self-Portrait London, Jonathan Cape. There is a fascinating story in David Constantine’s latest short-story collection that revolves around, as does other of his fiction, about what it actually means ‘to read’ a book that does not exactly follow the conventions that allow us to recognise that we are, what we normatively call, … More Reflecting upon Celia Paul (2019) ‘Self-Portrait’ London, Jonathan Cape.

The Norman Cornish Sketch & Drawing Exhibition at Palace Green Library visited 22nd November 2019.

November 22, 2019

The Norman Cornish Sketch & Drawing Exhibition at Palace Green Library visited 22nd November 2019. A spontaneous sketch from a Norman Cornish sketchbook. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50365848 A reflection following first visit. See also Bowes retrospective piece (link opens new window): There are 3 Cornish centenary exhibitions I’ve visited thus far this year (the others at … More The Norman Cornish Sketch & Drawing Exhibition at Palace Green Library visited 22nd November 2019.

An Introduction to Poussin’s ‘The Triumph of Pan’, Dr. Francesca Whitlum-Cooper from The National Gallery 21st November 2019.Notes on ‘Talks at the Tower’, Bishop Auckland.

November 22, 2019

Notes on ‘Talks at the Tower’, Bishop Auckland. An Introduction to Poussin’s The Triumph of Pan, Dr. Francesca Whitlum-Cooper from The National Gallery 21st November 2019. A reflection, consulting: Bull, M. (1995) ‘Poussin’s Bacchanals for Cardinal Richelieu’, The Burlington Magazine (137: 1102 (Jan. 1995)) , 5-11 . Available at: Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/886396 (Accessed: 21-11-2019 15:50 … More An Introduction to Poussin’s ‘The Triumph of Pan’, Dr. Francesca Whitlum-Cooper from The National Gallery 21st November 2019.Notes on ‘Talks at the Tower’, Bishop Auckland.

Three Miners In a Cage – A Tom McGuiness etching

November 18, 2019

Three Miners In a Cage – A Tom McGuiness etching Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 20:55Visible to anyone in the world THROWN OUT OF THE EMA! Let’s look for instance at Three Miners in a Cage (hereafter Cage). The function of this painting is clearly not representational realism – the real constriction of cage travel arose from the mass … More Three Miners In a Cage – A Tom McGuiness etching

Looking Back to Cornish – the retrospective at Bowes Museum visited 16th November 2019.

November 17, 2019

Looking Back to Cornish – the retrospective at Bowes Museum visited 16th November 2019. For my views of Palace Green exhibition use this link. A reflection, consulting: One visit is not enough, and this very comprehensive exhibition is better if supplemented by current exhibitions at the Palace Green Library, Durham University in Durham City (for … More Looking Back to Cornish – the retrospective at Bowes Museum visited 16th November 2019.

A new poem / podcast by Andrew Macmillan @AndrewPoetry

November 16, 2019

From Twitter – delineation of original not preserved in quotations from my tweets. (now mended 18/11/19) See poem & background: https://endoftheworldpodcast.com/andrew-mcmillan/ Steve Bamlett@steve_bamlett· lord show me a queer kid who doesn’t want an answer to the question of themselves sec. iii @AndrewPoetry turns to the questioning narrative poem. A powerful lead from our best poet. … More A new poem / podcast by Andrew Macmillan @AndrewPoetry

On First Visiting the Newly Re-opened Auckland Castle @aucklandproject on 14th November 2019

November 14, 2019

On First Visiting the Newly Re-opened Auckland Castle @aucklandproject on 14th November 2019 Of all the riches coming available in Bishop Auckland, I was least interested in the opening of Auckland Castle and thought there was enough, an excess of enough, in the Trevor Gallery and its wonderful exhibitions which opened months before the Castle … More On First Visiting the Newly Re-opened Auckland Castle @aucklandproject on 14th November 2019

Reading Kate Clanchy.

November 12, 2019

Reading Kate Clanchy. The task is to retire with your mind still active. Fortunately Durham University English Department near where I live maintains a number of public lectures where you can hear artists and writers talk about their art. To do justice to these I book if I can and start reading a writer I … More Reading Kate Clanchy.

Ken Loach’s ‘Sorry We Missed You’ – a difficult watch. In cinemas NOW.

November 7, 2019

For more on Loach & Laverty: https://stevebamlett.home.blog/2019/12/04/was-social-justice-ever-easy-ken-loach-and-paul-laverty-at-the-newcastle-literary-and-philosophical-society-4th-december-2019-12-30-2-p-m/ Ken Loach’s Sorry We Missed You – a difficult watch. In cinemas NOW. I wish I  hadn’t seen this in the midst of a General Election. Unbearably painful, it watches a family in a downward spiral that is entirely the effect of the deregulated capitalist political and economic … More Ken Loach’s ‘Sorry We Missed You’ – a difficult watch. In cinemas NOW.

Being at a reading of selected poems by Anna Crowe, Zaffar Kunial & Clare Shaw. At Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Unitarian Church, Honey Hole 3rd November 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.

November 5, 2019

Being at a reading of selected poems by Anna Crowe, Zaffar Kunial & Clare Shaw. At Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Unitarian Church, Honey Hole 3rd November 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. I could not stay longer than Monday tonight at Todmorden despite other events long wished-for, so this was my last event. But what an … More Being at a reading of selected poems by Anna Crowe, Zaffar Kunial & Clare Shaw. At Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Unitarian Church, Honey Hole 3rd November 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.

Andrew McMillan and a Poetry Workshop. A model teacher opens up poetry to others as a potential in themselves (if they want it). At Todmorden Book Festival, The Todmorden Baptist Church, Halifax Road 2nd November 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

November 4, 2019

Andrew McMillan and a Poetry Workshop. A model teacher opens up poetry to others as a potential in themselves (if they want it and carry it forward). At Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Baptist Church, Halifax Road 2nd November 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Why write up one’s experiences in learning at all? In my … More Andrew McMillan and a Poetry Workshop. A model teacher opens up poetry to others as a potential in themselves (if they want it). At Todmorden Book Festival, The Todmorden Baptist Church, Halifax Road 2nd November 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Simon Armitage Reads at the Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Hippodrome. Friday 1st November 2019

November 3, 2019

Simon Armitage Reads at the Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Hippodrome 1st November One of the questions asked of Simon Armitage on this evening was to define a prose poem. From the master of them in Seeing Stars, this was an appropriate enough question, especially since one of the highly appealing readings he gave was … More Simon Armitage Reads at the Todmorden book Festival, The Todmorden Hippodrome. Friday 1st November 2019