A bit of sunshine!
And after the last Bumblebee flies… Who will remember them?
©fotorobcullen25
Out there!
Its best to keep quiet about the quiet places – In the oakwood big Ash trees -a few years ago I thought the largest with “die back” was a goner. Its still there regrowing – fable or metaphor? Whichever the fact remains that millions of insects thrive in this woodland and these special places need protecting! @SilverBirchPress
VoicesontheBridge
Just to let everyone know – The Fundraiser for the Children of Gaza marked the end of Voices on the Bridge. I am proud that over £1000 was raised! With big thanks to all the Poets & Speakers and especially to Jeff Storyville Books.
I decided to stop VOB for the personal reasons that I have a serous health problem ( caused if you want to know by prescribed medication).
Organising a poetry event like any monthly event is time consuming and I am so grateful for all the poets & performers that I’ve met and listened to along the way from 2016 until 2025. I am particularly grateful for the support of Dr Eric (Charles) Ngalle, PeterThabbitJones, MikeJenkins and FionaCullen.
That being said it is sometimes true that organising an event feels at time like a thankless task – there have been detractors and negative sniping! Indeed snide remarks about my poetry – and some very direct lack of generosity – All of it contributed to my decision to call it a day with Voices on the Bridge To those people I say – you didnt win!
As a friend once wrote “you have to remember that the person who decides to organise a poetry event with out pay, on their time – with all the stress experienced – does it out of love for poetry but doesn’t have to do it at all – and when they do decide to stop – then there is another hole where poetry will not be heard, appreciated and young and unpublished people will not be encouraged to take the chance!”
On the positive I have no regrets! I decided in 2016 to set up an event to encourage people to come and listen to poetry, spoken word and music in a place that at that time had little. So I want to thank everyone that I listened to – who performed without payment and gave their time and created something that was wonderful !
Fundraiser for the Children of Gaza.
Children of Gaza voices cannot be heard. Children of Gaza need your support. Come to the event and do your bit!
This is a Fundraiser for the Children of Gaza. Saturday 21st June 2025
Starts 6.30pm.
VoicesontheBridge@StoryvilleBooks _ Pontypridd.
Voices on the Bridge is organised and presented by Rob Cullen –
Reading and performing will be Sabrin Hasbun, Patrick Jones, Abeer Ameer, Mike Jenkins, Rob Cullen, Tracey Rhys, Greg Cullen, Leanne Evans, Des MannayDisabled, Welsh writer of colour, Fiona Cullen, and Ben Wildsmith.
Elizabeth Heath of RCT Palestine Solidarity Campaign will be speaking about the upcoming Palestinian youth visit to RCT and they will have a stall with info leaflets.
Menna Elfyn couldn’t be with us but has generously donated 20 copies of – Y Bachgen a’r Wal – The Boy and the Wall – a book creeated by the young people at Lajee Centre near the city of Bethlehem.
Local artists Gerhard Kress & Barabara Castle, have donated paintings to be autioned on the night .
Great news Gerhard Kress has donated £410 he raised from the sale of his art work!
There will also be food and music. Bring cash if you plan to eat.
Tickets are £10 online – £12 on the door.
This is an event to provide funds to support the Children of Gaza.
All monies raised will be donated to UNICEF.
This event is part of The Pontypridd Great Big Community as Super Power Day.
Looking forward to seeing you next Saturday night!
Voices on the Bridge same place Storyville Books!
This is not a fundraiser for Hamas.
My Dad!
Fundraiser for the Children of Gaza. VoicesontheBridge – Saturday 21st June 2025 6.30pm. … @StoryvilleBooks, Mill Street Quarter, Pontypridd. An Evening of Poetry and Music To Support the Children of Gaza!
Voices on the Bridge is organised and presented by Rob Cullen – Reading and performing will be Sabrin Hasbun, Patrick Jones, Abeer Ameer, Mike Jenkins, Rob Cullen, Tracey Rhys, Greg Cullen, Ben Wildsmith , Fiona Cullen, and Leanne Evans.
VoicesontheBridge is an evening of poetry, spoken word and song. This event is stacked with great poets & speakers book early to ensure your place!
Elizabeth Heath of RCT Palestine Solidarity Campaign will be speaking about the upcoming Palestinian youth visit to RCT and they will have a stall with info leaflets.
Tickets are £10 online – £12 on the door. Tickets can be bought online with Storyvillebooks.
We hope you can join us and support the urgent need of the children of Gaza.
This is not a fundraiser for Hamas.
This is an event to provide funds to support the Children of Gaza.
All monies raised will be donated to UNICEF.
This is a formidable group of poets, writers, artists – Don’t miss it – Book Early.
This event is part of The Pontypridd Great Big Community as Super Power Day.
The Law of IT.
The Law of It (continued)
Etudes 1 (Après Ravel: Le Tombeau De Couperin – 1. Prélude)
A fish only exists on the flat screen
a lion only exists in surround sound
an elephant is only real in digital form
although a 3D moulded form can be provided
if they are dying out, they have been recorded
of course the smell is absent
but that doesn’t matter
they are not a part of our world
they are not a part of It
the disconnect between animals and It is permanent.
…
Etudes 2 ( Après Debussy: Images #1, L 110 – Hommage A Rameau )
Space is constructed
from flat lined edges in digital Wi-Fi time only
Earth has decided
to wrap itself in plastic (plastique)
Earth has brought It upon itself.
So It must be so.
The laws of science
of how It has all come to be
means only misery
Deep Time has no meaning.
…
Etudes 3 (Après John Coltrane After The Rain)
The first law of It is “more”
The second law of It is It’s never enough
The fourth law of It is out of sight out of mind
The fifth law of It is there is just today
The sixth law of It is there is no consequence
The seventh law of It is worrying is pointless
The eighth law of It is don’t talk about your worries
The ninth law of It is that there are no Laws
The twelfth law of It is that there is no It.
…
Etudes 4 (Après Arvo Part – Stabat Mater for Choir and String Orchestra)
Earth is burning
my soul is crying
Earth is in flames
and there are not enough tears
to put out the flames
Earth is burning
my heart breaks
but we must defy It.
No more excuses resist.
…
My poem the Law of IT is published in The Seventh Quarry Poetry magazine ( my name is not shown – an error).
When a dog with a love of sticks gets confused!
Sadly couldn’t bring this one back!
Urgent need to bring back paper stars to our French windows!
Celfypridd 