Tony Walsh
@LongfellaPoet
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Poet | Writer | Educator | D. Litt (Hon) | FRSA. Stage, page, commissions, events, schools, universities, companies, charities, campaigns, projects. Let's talk.
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Joined April 2011
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I was nervous about last night and emotional. I took a few minutes out to reflect and remember before I went on stage. The bees, and all they've come to represent, would see me right.
#Manchester
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My thoughts today are with all those affected by the terrible events of 22.5.17. Those we lost, their families and friends, those left physically and mentally injured and those who responded, supported and united in so many difficult & positive ways.
#WeStandTogether
#ChooseLove
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It's shaping up to be an emotional week, Manchester. Do what is right for you, seek help if you need it, stick together and we'll get through it. Sending very best wishes to those feeling it the hardest. We're all with you. Tx
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500k hits overnight for my new poem for BBC1
@bbcnwt
. Beautiful video from the team. Lots of tears. Take a look. Play loud. Share.
Watch in full: This is why we ❤️ the
#NorthWest
. It's great 'Up 'ere'
A special new poem commissioned by
@BBCNWT
from
@LongfellaPoet
.
#Upere
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Head still spinning from a standing ovation for my Blue Peter poem at the 60th birthday party last night. All the legends there. People in tears. Crowned with a diamond 60th Blue Peter badge. Did that really happen?
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1. A huge and heartfelt thank you to
@SalfordUni
where I was honoured as a Doctor of Letters yesterday. Massive thanks also to my family and to all who have supported me in the 15 years since I first found the confidence to share my work in public.
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Remembering those we have lost this year and wishing you and yours all the very best for 2018. Manchester and beyond, huge thanks for all your support in so many ways. xx
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Thank you everyone. 8k new fllwrs. Thousands of messages on every channel. Hundreds of book orders. Will reply asap.
#ChooseLove
#Manchester
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Wrote this in 2015. Like Manchester, it's about music&sport& joy&community &friendship&family&love& solidarity.
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I seem to have gained a Wikipedia page, lost huge parts of my cv but gained two inches in height and an extra child.
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Reminds me of a family classic. My Mum was ill and Dad was tasked with serving some Neapolitan ice cream to visitors, back when it came in cardboard to be cut into slices. From the kitchen came the legendary call: “Elaine! What shall I do ‘ere? There’s 3 colours and 4 people?!”
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Excited to share the news that I was asked to write the official poem to mark
#BluePeter60
. The team have done a beautiful job with the visuals. 200k+ views yesterday and a lot of very moving responses. Watch, tag, share, RT, love! It's a celebration of childhood itself. Tx
“Do you remember who you were back then?
Your plans, your hopes, your dreams…” 💙⛵️
Tony Walsh's beautiful tribute to Blue Peter will give you goosebumps.
@LongfellaPoet
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#Manchester
, thank you! Hate won't win cos love sings louder, love sings louder, love sings louder.
Always remember. Never forget. Tx
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A poem for
#Liverpool
on this, the 29th anniverary of Hillsborough. From
#Manchester
with love.
#ChooseLove
#YNWA
#WeStandTogether
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MAMNESIA (Noun) The split second when you think of phoning your mother, then remember she died.
It’s a big moment when you consider deleting the number of someone you’ve lost from your phone. I wrote this about it a few yrs ago. A certain spot in Salford reminds me every time.
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Sending love and strength to all of those affected by the bomb in
#Manchester
two years ago today. To those who lost loved ones, those who were physically and mentally injured and to those who first responded or provided care and support.
#WeStandTogether
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Written yesterday, my commissioned poem is in today's Guardian. Video to follow. The kids are alright!
#GE2017
#tech
#youthvote
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Thrilled that
@BAFTA
have put my full performance online, complete with standing ovation. A real career highlight for me. Take a look! Huge thanks to all involved. Tx
In celebration of 60 years of Blue Peter, poet
@LongfellaPoet
delivered this astounding tribute to the longest running children's television programme in the world at the
#BAFTAChildrensAwards
2018 ✨👏
@CBBC
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An emotional moment for me last night, to be honoured in this way. I dedicated it to all those lost and affected and to everyone who came together to make this great city’s response so remarkable. Manchester, everyone, thank you.
And winner of the Best Performance
#McrCultureAward
goes to
@LongfellaPoet
for his truly unforgettable performance of This is The Place at the vigil held in Albert Square last May the evening after the Manchester Arena attack.
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This moved me to tears. Humans are amazing, I miss them. Art is important.
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A year today since we took on a huge, 8m x 40m overgrown allotment. It’s a tough time tbh, my wife is away 2/3 of the time caring for her mum who has dementia. This place has been my salvation. About 40% tamed so far. Love it.
🥔🥕🍎🌻🍅🌦😅
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It's taken me 15 years to travel 100 yards from open mic at The Briton's Protection pub to selling out Theatre 1 at
@HOME_mcr
tonight. Putting a set together that spans that journey, including some lesser-spotted and brand new pieces and a few old favourites.
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100 mile round trip. 6 minute performance. 800 people. 3 Mexican waves. 1 poem. 1 Standing ovation. 10 minute catch up with this fella.
#WordLife
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Such a gracious invitation to perform This Is The Place on stage with
@ArianaGrande
& friends in
#Manchester
on Sunday. (1of 2)
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7 years today since I went full-time with my writing. 15 years since I first read a poem in public. It's been... quite a journey but, in many ways, I feel like I'm just hitting my stride. Huge thanks to my wife, Helen, and family and to everyone for your support. Tx
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I’ve spent today quietly, with my family, thinking of all those families who were ripped apart four years ago tonight. Of all those whose lives were affected forever and of how a city stood together. It’s been an emotional year. We need each other. Always remember. Never forget.
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Waking up to hundreds of new messages and requests from all directions. Please bear with me. This is just... a poet lost for words. Tx
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I work in schools, moved to hear of how many have been using my words to try and help kids process what has happened.
#Manchester
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Sending love and strength to everyone taking part in the
#GreatManchesterRun
today. One of the great days in the
#Manchester
calendar. I hope that my poem powers you around.
❤️ Do something for goodness or for glory.
🐝 Do something. The Great Manchester Run.
Manchester. Let's do this!
@Simplyhealthuk
#GreatManchesterRun
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Blimey, 2.2k hits on Facebook overnight for news of my poem being displayed 30 feet wide in th Arndale:
Stop and read
@LongfellaPoet
's
#ThisIsThePlace
at
@manarndale
. Merchandise from
@MENnewsdesk
@mcr_charity
#WeLoveMCR
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What a city. What a night. What an honour. We. Are. MANCHESTER! Huge thanks to all at
@ManchesterArena
#ChooseLove
#WeAreManchester
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So many loving and creative responses this week. They all add up to something very, very special.
They add up to Manchester.
#ChooseLove
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A MILLION VIEWS in 24 hours (Facebook + Twitter) for my new poem for
@BBCNWT
. Take a look. Tag, share. Huge thanks for thousands of lovely comments.
Watch in full: This is why we ❤️ the
#NorthWest
. It's great 'Up 'ere'
A special new poem commissioned by
@BBCNWT
from
@LongfellaPoet
.
#Upere
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Merry Christmas, everyone! Huge thanks for all your support in 2017. You've really kept me going across this rollercoaster of a year. Very best wishes to you and yours.
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This was first broadcast this weekend last year. It’s now hit 3.5 million views on Facebook and been interpreted into a beautiful garden at RHS Tatton. For a NW poem I’ve had messages from around the world. Take a look! Do feel free to tag/share/RT etc.
Watch in full: This is why we ❤️ the
#NorthWest
. It's great 'Up 'ere'
A special new poem commissioned by
@BBCNWT
from
@LongfellaPoet
.
#Upere
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My wife’s away so I can make myself a giant bowl of corned beef ‘tater ‘ash. Warm bread and butter and pickled red cabbage. I ate this by the gallon as a kid. Proper!
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A day for reflection, remembrance and redoubling our resolve.
Honoured to have been invited to present the
@peterloo2019
report for
@BBCNewsround
. So important that young people learn this history.
#Manchester
#Democracy
#Peterloo200
#Peterloo2019
#PeterlooMassacre
#history
Today's the 200th anniversary of
#Peterloo
. Who better to tell you what happened on that day in Manchester and explain its huge impact on Britain than
@LongfellaPoet
.
#Peterloo2019
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This! I shared my first poem in public at the age of 39.
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Two years ago today. A lovely day with my family. So glad that my Dad could be there, a long way from the two room cottage in rural Ireland where he grew up disabled, with no gas, elec or running water. I just wish that my Mum could have seen it.
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A week since the terrible events at Manchester Arena. My thoughts tonight are with the 22, their loved ones and everyone involved. Tx
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Lovely email to wake up to this morning, almost deleted as spam. It’s from a teacher telling me how she uses my poetry to engage and inspire her Year 8 pupils in a deprived part of Perth, Australia. Thank you, Miss - you’ve made my day already!
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1. My secret news? Thrilled to announce that I have been commissioned to write a full libretto (ie the words) for a new opera by the world renowned
@Opera_North
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#LestWeForget
also the hundreds of young men
#ShotAtDawn
. Excecuted as "cowards" for what we now know as PTSD and combat stress reaction. Not pardoned until 2006.
#RemembranceDay2017
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My poem from the
#Manchester
vigil was written for the ace local charity
@4EVERManchester
. Check them out. Video at:
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Feeling better today, yesterday hit me hard. This cheeky thing was 21 and we could only Facetime her. We all got a bit weepy looking at old photos. I've lost my Mum since, my wife's lost her Dad. Missing our son too & the family get together. Plenty to reflect on. Keep 'em safe.
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Go on then, I'll share this. It's a bittersweet little poem from my next book about
#parenthood
#fatherhood
and watching your
#teenagers
grow and fly the nest. It's called Dada. 60 secs, watch at:
Feeling better today, yesterday hit me hard. This cheeky thing was 21 and we could only Facetime her. We all got a bit weepy looking at old photos. I've lost my Mum since, my wife's lost her Dad. Missing our son too & the family get together. Plenty to reflect on. Keep 'em safe.
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Doing my best, folks. Please bear with me. 00s/000s of messages/requests from around the world. It's all caught up with me today.
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It’s our 25th wedding anniversary today! Helen and I got married on the 10th anniversary of meeting, aged 19. As usual, I’ve gone to a lot of trouble organising fireworks and bonfires up and down the land*. It’s a lot of trouble but she’s worth it. Enjoy! Stay safe! *AnnualJoke
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75,000+ views in less than 24 hrs. A standing ovation and *£400k* raised the first time it was screened. Please watch my new poem, a tribute to our amazing children’s hospital, our NHS and all who work there. Share, tag for
@RMCHcharity
. Moved to tears by the Fbk comments alone.
#EveryChildCounts
. This is for the children, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, staff and supporters that go the extra, extra mile for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Click here to watch the full film and help us continue our incredible work:
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I've seen 00s of artworks based on my
#Manchester
poem and this is one of my very favourites. By Nina, Yr 10 at
#StockportSchool
. Read the key, very clever. Well done, Nina!
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Birthday today. It's been lovely. Then a £30 fine for a 20sec stop to pick up my 83yo mother in law with dementia across a literally deserted (unmarked?) bus lane. Then someone on a good salary with a cheery message inviting me to work for free at a time of wiped-out income. 😯
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Amazing for me to hear my poem mixed into this dance mix of all the artists appearing on Sunday. Nice work
@KEY103
Tx
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1.5m views (and counting!) for my poem on
@BBCNWT
, thousands of messages from around the world and orders for signed books still coming in on Christmas Eve. Many, many thanks! What a year, what a place.
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@MarcusRashford
@ManUtd
@England
Red or blue, Marcus, black or white, know that so many people in Manchester and far beyond, hold you in huge respect, mate. On and off the pitch. You’re an amazing talent, a fine young man and a brave soul. All power to you.
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Just arrived in Leeds to run a training day with librarians. Feeling emotional over a coffee near the DHSS that I once cried in circa 1986. Heading to the library where I used to go to keep warm. If only I could talk to that young man now.
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We’ve got a few days’ break from our family Alzheimer’s care situation. Lovely to ride out to the wide open spaces of Formby and Crosby beaches. First time seeing Antony Gormley’s “Another Place” figures. 👍
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Yes, performers, artists, speakers. But also venues, lighting/sound engineers, photographers, event planners, bar & catering teams, security, tent & stage hire, booking agents, festival teams etc etc. So many of us with little or no support.
#WeMakeEvents
I’ll see you there.
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The sky’s a bit cloudy and grey
for dining al fresco, but hey,
No hugs, we can’t kiss them
But, oh, how we’ve missed them
We’re seeing our children today
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Signed copies of my debut full
#poetry
collection available now at: 5* reviews plus FREE UK P&P.
#books
#amwriting
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It's a wrap! My first proper tv presenting role for the BBC. National BBC1. Coming soon to a gogglebox near you.
#WordLife
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Thank you to all at
@GM_Cancer
#worldcancerday2021
conference. I’m in floods of tears here with relief, and so very many other emotions, as the feedback comes in for my poem. Very best wishes to all.
#Innitlove
. Love, innit. Tx
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"Poverty is many things..."
I grew up poor and was very ill as a child. I lived & worked in the UK's 1% most deprived communities for 15yrs. I wrote this from lived experience & with an ace group from
@churchpoverty
For 2016 read 2017/18/19/20...
"...but it is not acceptable."
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What my work has come to mean to people, & why, will always be overwhelming to me. My heartfelt thanks to
@SalfordUni
for this tremendous honour & to everyone who continues to support me as I try and process all of this & move forwards. This IS THE place & its people are amazing.
Poet Tony Walsh
@LongfellaPoet
- whose words helped bring the people of Greater Manchester together following last year's Arena bomb attack - is being honoured by
@SalfordUni
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What a class act this young man is. Well done, Marcus.
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I stood at Anfield once and read all the
#Hillsborough
names. It’s the details that get you. The repeated family names, the one Mr, one Snr, the nicknames. The fine BSc, the proud HND. And then you read down the columns of their ages. Written in gold.
#YNWA
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Delighted to share this. Please watch/tag/share. It's my poem Take This Pen, beautifully llustrated by the wonderful
@chrisriddell50
. It's an inspiration piece to launch
#tellyourtruthpoem
for
@PoetryDayUK
.
Find out more at:
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Behold! Manchester: the mythical Land Beyond The Snows.
We shall return!
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Terrible news. Dianne has been a smiling, daily presence in so many NW lives for many years. I only met her once, last summer, but her warmth and empathy, on screen and off, really struck me. My thoughts, like countless others, are with her family, friends and colleagues.
We have some very sad news this morning, our colleague and friend Dianne Oxberry has died after a short illness.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
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People sometimes tell me that a poem has “reduced them to tears.” But that’s what bullying does, humiliation, frustration. I believe that art moves us to tears, elevates us to tears, gifts us with tears. We are not reduced, we are made more.
#tellyourtruthpoem
@PoetryDayUK
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This actually happened. I got my book backstage to Bono before the
#U2
gig in
#Manchester
last night. He then sang "see
longfella, right in front of you" in the middle of Beautiful Day. Around 02.15 at:
#U2Manchester
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Very proud of this tribute to our NHS and our amazing Children’s Hospital and all who make it what it is. Lovely comments coming in through all channels today. Do please take a few minutes to click through to watch and share for
@RMCHcharity
. Tx
#EveryChildCounts
. This is for the children, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, staff and supporters that go the extra, extra mile for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Click here to watch the full film and help us continue our incredible work:
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Huge congratulations to
@WiganWarriorsRL
on the amazing
#ChallengeCupFinal
victory yesterday. It was a thrill and a privilege to be there with you. I’ve been hugely impressed with all my dealings with the club around the poem, video and beyond. Here’s to a new golden era! 🍒🏆⚪️
👏 Outstanding support as always, enjoy your night and weekend Warriors fans! 🍒⚪️
#WWRL
#ChallengeCupFinal
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9yrs since I left a good job to see if I could educate/entertain/inspire my way to a living. Yr10 will be the biggest challenge yet and, as with many artists, with the biggest struggles being internal ones. Huge thanks for all your support & inspiration. Tx
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(2of2) It is, of course, a gracious invitation that I've been very proud and humbled to accept.
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Good people doing great things at the fan-led
@FCUnitedMcr
. Huge respect for all they’ve achieved there. This is brilliant. 👏
The football club turned food hub in need of donations to continue helping the most vulnerable in their community.
@FCUnitedMcr
are using their stadium to send out vital supplies during lockdown and have seen demand for parcels more than double.
@NMCRBN
#StayHomeSaveLives
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Standing ovation! For a poem!! At the
@BAFTAs
!!!
#BAFTAKids
60 years strong 💪
#BluePeter
"The future holds your badge of gold"
@LongfellaPoet
🏆
#BAFTAChildrensAwards
#BAFTAKids
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Mum was given a fortnight to live but fought on for 10yrs, donkey stoning death’s doorstep. 3 huge brain/spine ops, cut jugular, lost 14 pints, paralysed, blind. Told me the filthiest C-bomb joke on one of her deathbeds. “How *do you do* those smiley faces, lay on one side? :-)”
MAMNESIA (Noun) The split second when you think of phoning your mother, then remember she died.
It’s a big moment when you consider deleting the number of someone you’ve lost from your phone. I wrote this about it a few yrs ago. A certain spot in Salford reminds me every time.
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Honoured today to say a few words and sound the horn to start the
#GreatManchesterRun
live on BBC2. Very moving later at the finish line to see the effort that people put in. Shout out to the fella who insisted I have his medal for my poetry.
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I’m as proud of this as anything I’ve ever written. Launched today for
@GM_Cancer
#WorldCancerDay
. Mancunian or not, if you or yours have ever been affected by cancer then do please take a few minutes to watch and share. Video link below.
#InnitLove
We've been working with
@LongfellaPoet
to capture the spirit & voices of all affected by cancer in Greater Manchester.
From our patients, to our NHS staff, our researchers & partners - we hope this does you justice.
#InnitLove
@NHSEngland
@NHSNW
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Have fun but go easy on the shop and hospitality staff this week please. My daughter will go from months of lockdown and her final year studies to, bang, walking 10+ miles per shift with scores of (drunk) people suddenly in her face. Many staff will be knackered and anxious.
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That thing when people you've lost are still listed on your phone. Missing my Mum today.
#MothersDay2018
#MotheringSunday
#poetry
#books
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Always remember. Never forget. So many people, so much love down at the beautiful new memorial this morning. My thoughts right now are with everyone who finds today, and perhaps every day, to be so very emotional. xx
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Yesterday was one of the good days. Finished my commission, got paid on an invoice from April, discussed a children’s tv slot, confirmed for a big event. Went for a walk. Conkers, blackberries. Sat for ages, just me and this beautiful heron on the Irwell. Head space.
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Sad news. He leaves an incredible body of work. I met him in a Salford pub once, he told me to "get out of Manchester, it's a shit'ole". I wrote my first big Manc poem, Raindance, in response which led to me working with
@4EVERManchester
& thereby to
#ThisIsThePlace
.
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Big, fancy gig tonight. 2000 people seated for dinner, performing in the round with a headset. Bespoke dressing room sign!
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This image is widely known in Manchester these days from its use at
@TheRefugeMcr
but I can find zero record of the 1920 book that it’s taken from other than a copy in the archives at
@chethamslibrary
. Chuffed to have found this first edition on eBay. I’ll post a few pages up.
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This will be played or recited at a lot of Yr7 Welcome assemblies today. 150k+ views and a lot of love over on Facebook. Good luck to all.
#BackToSchool
#FirstDayofSchool
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29 yrs ago I was tied up & held at gunpoint. The “breathing exercises” I was taught for my PTSD were my gateway to meditation. I’ve explored it more fully in recent yrs until it’s a big part of my life. I’ve not spoken about it much, but it’s coming out more & more in my writing.
We lost John Lennon 40 years ago today, murdered by mindlessness. His impassioned letters on the mind-expanding value of meditation:
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Magnificent effort by all teams & services to make
#OneLoveManchester
happen so quickly and smoothly last night. Very well done to all. Tx
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Tons of people sending me poems. This from Riana, Yr5 in Nth Manchester, is lovely. Her very first poem. Send her some love, folks. Tx
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Blimey! Eight years a full-time professional writer today. The peaks & climbs on this rollercoaster keep getting higher and harder but I’m holding on for the ride. A huge, HUGE thank you to everyone who has ridden alongside me, holding my hand. Scream if you wanna go faster. Tx
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Amy's turning my poem into an amazing artwork. Let's get all the bands & teams to sign it & auction it for
#Manchester
causes.
#ChooseLove
So this belta just stopped by! ❤️
@LongfellaPoet
thank you so much for collaborating with this!
#ThisIsThePlace
#Manchester
#WeStandTogether
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“We keep saying “What’s wrong with you!?” instead is asking “What happened to you?”
Why do some people become addicts and not others?
@DrGaborMate
says addiction is a response to emotional pain
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Please see thread/RT/fllw. V proud that top designers incl Peter Saville will be interpreting my poem to raise funds for
#Manchester
causes.
The creative community in Manchester is making a book inspired by the words of This Is The Place by
@LongfellaPoet
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Excited to share this new poem/video with you today. Media launch event at the hospital this morning. Look out for the link and coverage later.
We’ve been working with
@LongfellaPoet
to create an incredible story of the hard-working staff and awe-inspiring patients that makes our hospital so special. Stay tuned for the big reveal next week!
#EveryChildCounts
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