First Impression

The Writing Group who have been working with author Kathy Page during the Online Writing Course Ticket To Write have almost all completed their short stories. Artist Carole Miles thought it would be an interesting addition to the work produced to make an image to go with each story and will be working with some of the writers in her relocated studio / shed. Her first visitor was Shusha Walmsley.

Demonstration of one collagraph technique

Shusha deciding which technique to use - cutting into a board with a scalpel 

or applying textured wallpaper to create shape and form.

Choice made and wallpaper it is!

Happily ensconced at the end of the galley like work space.

Inking up the printing plate

Colours applied and ready to print

Winding the wheel

Hey presto - illustration for Shusha's story.

Almost Autumnal

Whilst out for a cycle we were reminded

that it hasn't been the best of summer's!

We noticed that the acorns are fattening fast

the colours are changing

this feels like the bridging moment 

between Summer and Autumn.

  The sky is often bleached out by cloud cover,

 there are strange contrasts to be seen

seed heads and rust

 

lush greenery damp underfoot, interwoven in complex patterns.

There aren't many sloes but plenty of elder berries ripening, it's hard to tell whether things are coming on early or late! The Woodland Trust has an interesting feature about the weather and it's effect on fruiting this year.

There are still small bright patches of colour to delight the eye. 

It hasn't only been the weather that has been unpredictable, due to unforeseen circumstances it wasn't possible to stage an August Photography walk but there will be a return to Cottesbrooke walk. Details to follow soon, get your walking boots and cameras ready, the Sphinx awaits you!

Fabrication at Brampton Halt

I had hoped to make some up-cycled china delights on the station platform at Brampton Halt during the Jubilee Weekend 

but the rain put paid to that idea, instead I decided that simple fabric corsages would be easy for all ages and skills, quick and would use some of the many scraps of vintage fabric I have been gifted from  friends and friends mums!

I reasoned that if my kit was small and portable I could easily set up shop inside the train and catch participants as they waited for the journey to begin.

This approach worked well 

and soon children, parents and grandparents 

were working together

in spite of some initial shyness.

It was lovely to see people sharing and enjoying a such simple but pleasurable activity 

whilst the lush, damp Northamptonshire countryside rattled by.

I also spent some time in the Buffet car and met people who had travelled from Scotland to spend some time at the station. You can see some of the creators, creations and sterling NLR volunteers showing off their up-cycled finery!

I couldn't resist adding this picture of one of the NLR team tucking into a feast known as The Engineers Special - it seemed to have every element of a tradition English breakfast barring the egg!

Upcycle a Fabric Corsage at Brampton Halt

All aboard! Back To Books artist Carole Miles be at Northamton & Lamport Railway from 11 - 2  Sunday June 2nd riding the rails & upcycling fabric! Upcycling a fabric corsage with Carole is free - but she will be on one of the trains - catch her while you can!

Train tickets 

Adults £4.60  Child under 2 years: FREE

Senior Citizens and Children (10-15 years) £3.60

Family (2+2) £14.60

All ticket types above are "Day Rover" tickets, valid on all services.

Platform Ticket 50p

Northampton and Lamport Line map

Directions

Country Churches Reprise

On a recent trip to Derbyshire Carole Miles and Andrew Rushton had the pleasure of exploring St Oswald Church in Ashbourne and only after their return to Northamptonshire did they realise that it was one of the churches recommended by Simon Jenkins in Country Churches, one of April's book choices. The building is imposing and rather disturbing from the outside, features like the clock are set to one side rather than centrally, life and death press for your attention from the moment you enter the gates. Elegant headstones rest amongst a sea of waving bluebells, buttercups, daffodils and long grasses. Jenkins says that it was a church for "the clergy and the gentry" and George Elliot said it was 'the finest mere parish church in the kingdom'. Jenkins goes on to say that "The interior is as eccentric as the exterior. No corner is without interest" and he is absolutely right, decorated ceramic tiles, tombs, painted ceilings, stained glass and green men jostle for attention and the interior offers a clearer view of the pink limestone. It is easy to loose yourself in the space and the detail and very well worth a visit.

St Oswald, Ashbourne Derbyshire Flickr Set

If You Would Like Tickets To Attend Departures Read On!

Departures

A Reading By Kathy Page

Friday March 2nd

6.30 - 9.00pm at the Water Tower 

Benefield Road, Brigstock, Kettering NN14 3JA

As part of her contribution to Back To Books project
On the Right Track author Kathy Page will talk about
the story as a journey, read  a selection of her short fiction
and  also introduce her latest book, In the Flesh,

a collection of  personal essays about the human body
and our oddly complex relationship with it.

The event is free and on a by ticket only entry
- to secure a ticket please click here

Back To Books would like to thank 

Rosalind Stoddart, FRSA Independent Cultural Engineer 

for making the wonderful space at the Water Tower available

for Kathy's return visit

Kathy will be bringing copies of In The Flesh and her
wonderful collection of short fiction As In Music.
Click the here if you would like to order your  signed
copy of either / both books.



Kathy Page’s seven novels include
The Story of My Face (long-listed for the Orange Prize)
Alphabet (a Governor General’s Award finalist),
and The Find (short-listed for ReLit award).

She also writes short fiction and memoir.
Born in London, she lives with her family
on Salt Spring Island, near Vancouver. 

www.kathypage.info

For more information about forthcoming events at The Water Tower

visit The Water Tower


  

KATHY PAGE'S RESIDENCY HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS

                                 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $154 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.

Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil  a investi 154 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.