Northern Ireland’s permanent representation in Brussels periodically brings to the capital of Europe a sample of Northern Irish culture in a spirit of cross-cultural exchange that risks being disrupted in the event of a Brexit.
society
John Forth browses a surprisingly varied collection of essays by Andrew Sant
Merryn Williams commends both the intention and the achievement of a poetry anthology in aid of refugee charities
When you listen over many years to hundreds of people, from all walks of life, talking confidentially about their relationships, patterns suggest themselves even while each person’s individuality remains vivid.
John Lucas’s tribute to English cricketers who have stood up to the game’s authorities proves to be something much more thoughtful than a simple round-up of the ‘usual suspects’
Anna Robinson looks at a recent anthology of poems about historical events and considers what we can learn from poetry about ways of exploring the past.
Chris Beckett is enthusiastic about poetry’s potential for exploring and explaining family history and cultural roots – and finds examples in recent collections by Nancy Mattson and Anne Ryland
Thomas Ovans tries to keep up with Mark Gerchick’s comprehensive analysis of the airline business which explains why and how the glamour of flying has now been reduced as much as the legroom in economy class.
Norbert Hirschhorn reflects on a poetry and prose memoir that gives an inside view of the National Health Service at a time when it may be about to change forever. Born in the NHS by Wendy French & Jane Kirwan The Hippocrates Press (London, 2013) ISBN 978-0-957-9572571-2-2 pp 240 £12
Thomas Ovans uses the internet to solve mysteries round an air crash fifty years ago … and also uncovers some more recent concerns
John Lucas takes an in-depth look at books by Michael Cullup and Gary Allen who both make poetry out of tough experiences .
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • books, poetry reviews, society, year 2016 • Tags: books, John Lucas, poetry, society