good fortune magazine march 2010
DESCRIPTION
Upmarket lifestyle magazineTRANSCRIPT
Launch Edition 2010
CONTENTS
UPDATE What’s Hot..p4
FASHIONUrban Living Shoot..p5Denim..p10
RETAILMother’s Day Gifts..p12
INSIDE & OUTPastel Beauty..p14Profile..p15Tarotscopes..p16
HOMEElegant Easter..p18Lamb Recipe..p19Foodie World..p20
WHAT’S ONGuide..p22Events..p23Band Interview..p24
TRAVEL Japan..p26
WORKAlpha Positive Women..p27
BACK FEATUREDead Poet’s Society..p29Next edition..p30
denim drama
p10
Editor’s Note
This season’s must-have item: creativity. Spring 2010 is all about casting aside luxe holidays and designer handbags and investing in something a little more important - your dreams. I’ve always wanted to edit an independent magazine, free from the constraints of advertising and commercial controls. And so, Good Fortune Magazine was born. Time and resources may be limited but the enthusiasm and help of friends have been abundant in the creation of this new virtual publication. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have in creating it. And remember, if you have something cool to contribute to future editions, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected].
Penny x
Model wears outfit from Therapy @ House of Fraser
Front page photograph taken by Shirlaine Forrest, Manchester.
With John Smith’s Grand National fast approaching, everybody’s worrying about what to wear for Ladies’ Day on April 9th - and whilst I’d rather leave the styling to the stylists, I would like to say that it’d be great to see a little less orange glow with alcopops and more individuality at the races this year. For sassy style, home grown designers and retailers are a good place to start - especially the new Kirsty Doyle shop in Liverpool One. It’s the offline home to the accessory website Benna. Coming up in May is the third Liverpool Sound City which means I’ll be spending four days and nights shooting bands, bands and more bands. It’s a music extravaganza, so you really do need to get your tickets early. Current line-ups include Speech Debelle and a show by Paloma Faith at The Philharmonic Hall. Now, that’s got to be a bit special...
Mark McNulty
CURATOR OF COOL1.hip new
hangoutsSet inside the
famous Heywood
building in the
heart of
Liverpool’s
commercial
quarter, The
Noble House
(pictured
opposite) has
become the place
to dine thanks to
its new deco
style and
celebrity diners.
For stylish
cocktails, try
Suburbia in Hale.
The old 161 club
has been
transformed by
the guys behind
Gusto and Grill
on the Alley.
3.cheeseWe’re far from mousey - except when it comes to cheese. And soon we’ll be wearing the stuff on our faces. Yup, food technology experts at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, have discovered that rubbing crumbly cheese on to the face results in super soft skin. Now, they’re in the process of developing a Cheshire Cheese facepack. Yummy!
2.farmingCOMPILED BY PENNY FRAY
WHAT’S HOT
Get closer to your mama (Earth, that is) with the help of local farmers. Enjoy a rural break with a twist and make agriculture pay the cooler way. Rent a converted farm outhouse or cottage for the weekend and (literally) muck in. For more information, log on to farmstay.co.uk or devonfarms.co.uk.
Hat from Hobbs
Balenciaga Cream Blouse £190 / Elie Tahari Black Trousers £205 - Harvey Nichols, Manchester / Black Waistcoat by Ailsa / Jewellery - Stylist’s Own
BMB Black Jumpsuit £250 - Selfridges Manchester / Dune Black Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery Stylist’s Own
SBC Gold Bow Front Dress £350 - Selfridges Manchester / Bottega Purple Trench £1140 - Harvey Nichols / Dune Black Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery - Stylist’s Own
URBAN LIVINGSHOOT CREDITS
Photography by Shirlaine Forrest www.shirlainephotos.co.uk
Hair and Make-up by Emma Fairfield at Real management www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk
Hair and make-up assistant Cat McLaughlin
Styling by Kerry and Laura at [email protected]
Model Alex Leigh at Nemesis www.nemesisagency.co.uk
Shoot co-ordinator Rachel Perera www.taketwostyleschool.com
Gucci Navy Dress £690 - Harvey Nichols / Dune Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery - Stylists Own
Outfit by Ailsa - www.a-i-l-s-a.com
If you only work one look this spring - make it denim, says Alex Leigh.
Between jeans that are so skinny they cut off circulation to your feet and trousers so high-waisted that they restrict respiration, you’ll be glad to hear that denim is taking a more comfortable turn this season. Everyone from D&G to Chloe are championing the return of the boyfriend fit. In London, it was down to Twenty8Twelve to fly the denim flag. But their take on the trend was more boho than ‘boyo’ thanks to their light wash vests and joyous jumpsuits. But the ‘must have’ piece of the season was found at Ralph Lauren, with fashionistas fighting over the cropped, sequined number in this season’s hottest hue - grey. On planet high-street,
however, the ‘skinny’ still survives. Lucy Adamson from Duty Free Clothing in Manchester, whose company produces jeans for brands such as Jane Norman and Chilli Pepper as well as their own labels Damaged and Duty Free says: “For SS10 the skinny jean remains popular but either in light bleached out washes with feminine touches such as sequins or the edgier biker style with lots of seams and stitch detailing.”Another key denim look, according to the expert, is the distressed short. This is more of a high summer style and fits into the western theme seen on all the catwalks. “Also, the denim shirt or shirt dress has also been very popular in light weight denim and chambrays fabrics,” concludes Adamson.
INJEANIOUS
top: western shirt £28 / shorts £20 - all from dorothy perkins
above: shirt dress £29.50 - marks & spencer
right: summer boot £80 - faith
spring to summer essential
from asos.com
MOTHERLY LOVE(MARCH 14)
Not only did she give you life (and
suffered stretch marks in the
process), your mother taught you
absolutely everything you know. So
this year, give her an M-day
present that proves how much you
love her - minus the lecture on the
perils of extravagance.
TREAT truffles £3.99 from marks & spencer
marc jacobs perfume £45 from John Lewis
baroo silk scarf £19.99 from ganesha
pointelle shrug £20 fifty plus
cupcakes £1.50 for 4 at asda
m&s bouquet£14.99
SHRINKING VIOLETBarely there layers of pastel shades are a must this spring, says Penny Fray.
It’s a new season.
You’ve pre-ordered your
Acne trench, procured
an iPad and even
settled on a Vera Wang
frock (and that’s
before you have the
fiancé). All that’s
left now is the make-
up. And you better
think pretty, because
spring is all about the
pastel palette. Yes,
the ss10 catwalks were
awash with luscious
lilacs, pale pinks and
barely there beiges.
Light washes of lilac
mingled with lush,
tropical florals in the
very first colour
collection for Revlon
by Gucci Westman, while
Prada and Missoni toyed
with shades of coral,
peach and grapefruit.
The look is decidedly
fresh and radiant
thanks to the layering
of super sheer formulas
and light reflecting
highlighters. Even the
longest of lashes
looked feminine and
fabulous with just a
delicate lick of brown
mascara, as seen in the
Ricci and Ferretti
shows.
1. Ask your stylist for an asymmetric crop - a la Frankie’s style from The Saturdays.
2. Apply styling product from root to tip.
3. Blow dry small sections, moving the air stream down the hair shaft to create shine.
4. Style the hair forward without a parting, then push to the side.
5. Straighten then ruffle the hair.
See step by step instructions on our movie page.
COPY THE CROPwith Mike Bennett @ Zoo
tried & tested
Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle, £6.49 from Revlon.When I first saw this gloss, I quivered as memories of candy floss and the decade that taste forgot came flooding back. But once out of its casing and applied, it gave my lips a lovely, natural pink hue. Plus, it survived several cups of tea.
How did your upbringing influence you? I had very young parents who were probably learning about life as I was growing up with them, which made me inquisitive and a team player.
What is your typical day like? Jam-packed! I have a busy work life and added to that I’m a local Conservative candidate in Wirral West. I wake up at 6am, make a cup of coffee and have it in bed as I listen to Radio 4 news. Then I get ready and am out the house for 7am to open and check the offices I run in Liverpool. Around about 6pm I finish at the office to
start the second part of my day - running my political campaign. I begin by replying to letters and constituent questions, I might then visit community groups or do home visits, canvass or leaflet. Every day is different and I love meeting people who lead such different lives. I’m home for about 10pm when, I’ll watch the news, have a Horlicks and go to bed for about midnight.
What keeps you motivated? I’ve thought about this a lot and if I had to find a single word it would be ‘injustice’ – I can’t abide it.
Anything you’d like to conquer next? A PhD. That really would be an achievement and I quite fancy being able to say ‘The name in Blonde, Doctor Blonde’.
What about your grooming routine? Best described at the moment as a bit hit or miss. But if there’s anything I do it’s highlights every two months. I also make sure I’ve dyed my eyebrows, which I do at home with a simple
Boots kit. I think a good pair of eyebrows really frames your face and give your eyes definition.
How do you stay fit? At the moment through leafleting – which means walking and bending exercises several times a week.
Are you typical of your star sign? Am I a typical Scorpio or should that be ‘Scorch-i-o’ hot, hot, hot? Well obviously I’d like to say I was ‘hot’ when it matters. I’m loyal too. That said, I’m not jealous and don’t bear grudges. I’d sooner get on with life rather than have it controlled by past events, which you can’t alter.
How do you stay spiritual? I think human beings are spiritual beings. We are linked by a common chord of humanity. We can’t answer some of the great questions of the universe but we seek answers as inquisitive, intelligent beings. That search for answers can bring us closer to one another and bring out our spiritual side.
MIND, BODY & SPIRITTV presenter turned business guru Esther McVey, talks politics and spirituality.
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
The seductions of the
material world have lead
you away from true
happiness, according to
the reversed ace of
pentacles.
TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21)
You feel under immense
pressure at work to
perform better and create
more wealth, says the ten
of wands. Don’t despair.
Your immense willpower
will see you through.
GEMINI (May 22-Jun 21) The wheel of fortune
foretells of an unexpected
turn of good luck. And
April brings some help
from friends in high
places, especially if you
want a new job.
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 23)
You feel all warm and fuzzy as a relationship
goes from strength to
strength this spring. The
sun card also foretells of
the birth of a child. This
is certainly a time to
celebrate.
LEO (Jul 24-Aug 23)
The nine of pentacles foretells of material gain
and good fortune in
business. Not that you
have any intention of
being prudent with your
new found wealth.
VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
Changes that may at
first seem inconvenient will soon turn into a
cause for celebration,
says the death card. So,
keep your chin up. Lovely
things are sometimes
packaged in ugly boxes.
LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
Your quest for glory
leads you to abuse your position of authority,
says the reversed three of
swords. Beware of being
too self-centric when
embarking on a new scheme.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Fancy doing some
charitable work? If so,
this is a great time to attract some good karma,
says the six of pentacles.
If not, take some time out
to meditate.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec
21) Family prosperity puts
a spring back into your
step, says the ten of
pentacles. It also gives you the opportunity to
worry less about loved
ones.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan
20) Your calm, analytical
intellect will serve you
well when asked to
penetrate a complex
issue. Expect to be
rewarded handsomely for your efforts.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb
19) Contentment can be
found at the bosom of your
family in March, says the
nine of cups. It’s easy to
forget how love and
kinship can render the
most happiness.
PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
An abrupt change in
circumstance may leave you
in a tail spin late March,
says the tower card.
Expect problems linked to buildings.
TAROTSCOPEYour forecast for March to April from The House of Good Fortune
Type to enter text
Piccadilly tea set, £34.95 from Dotcomgiftshop
Ceramic spotty egg cups, £2 each from Breeze
Happy Easter garland, £12.95. from The Contemporary Home
Simnel cake, £9.99, from Marks & Spencer
Pair of butterfly clips, £15, from Marks & Spencer
Quilted cushion with appliqued bird, £30,from Berry Red.
SWEET SENSATIONCelebrate this Easter with an array of candy
coloured home accessories and a yummy Simnel cake, says Penny Fray
Cook the rice according to the pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until it starts to soften. Add the garlic, almond slivers and chopped California prunesand cook for another minute.Drain the rice and place in a bowl with the onion mixture. Add the mint, lime juice and seasoningand mix well.
Cut a large pocket into the shoulder of lamb, then stuff the rice mixture into the pocket, pressing itin well. Wrap the stuffed lamb tightly with foil, to help to hold the stuffing in. Place in a roastingtray and cook for 40 minutes.Open the foil, increase the oven temperature to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6, and cook for a further 15 minutes.
INGREDIENTS
580 Calories
per serving
(Serves 4) 75g Basmati rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
10g almond slivers
60g California prunes, chopped
10g mint leaves, chopped
juice of ½ limeseasoning
750g ½ shoulder of lamb
JUST COOKMint Stuffed Shoulder of Lamb with California Prunes
After eating, why not have
an adult Easter egg hunt
with a difference. Instead
of chocolate treats,
decorate eggs with
inspirational quotes for
people to find and keep.
We all know we should be getting our ‘5 a Day’ but could you imagine eating six, seven or even more portions a day of just vegetables? In fact, doing just this can be easy when you use vegetables creatively rather than just tossing them into a saucepan of boiling water for a few minutes. Consider tucking in to easy to prepare yet deliciously different gourmet dishes such as warm red cabbage with apple, walnuts and blue cheese or leek and lemon fettuccine. You could boost your health and the environment by reducing your meat consumption by only buying the very best you can afford as and when you can afford it.The key to enjoying and cooking creatively with vegetables is to buy seasonal, fresh and, where possible, local and organic to guarantee flavour and quality. Of course the very best way to get your hands on freshly picked vegetables is to grow your own – a huge trend at the moment and one which is turning many a woman’s fingers green. Nothing beats being out in the fresh air and harvesting your own veg which has been grown from seed or seedlings.But most of us don’t have the time and the space for anything more than a few herbs on the windowsill
or a few select vegetables grown in tubs on the patio. Unless you have a very large garden or are one of the lucky people to have got hold of an allotment (they’re rarer than hen’s teeth in some parts of the country) the chances are you’ll struggle to be self sufficient. Even then, it’s hard to harvest produce 52 weeks a year.Another option is to try and buy all your vegetables at your local farmers’ market. This certainly makes for a pleasant day out and is a great way to support your local economy but beware the temptations of yummy breads, pastries, jams and delicious cheeses or before you know it you’ll have spent a fortune and will be piling on the calories week in week out! Most supermarkets now offer organic vegetables although ranges can be limited and prices prohibitive. A big advantage of ordering a weekly box from Riverford Organics, for instance, is that it comes packed full of inspiration, providing customers with between six and eight of her seasonal recipes to get them using and, most importantly, truly enjoying the fresh veg in their box.
FOOD FOR THOUGHTMichele Hart investigates how to make more of out of the humble vegetable
Home grown vegetables taste great but can be time consuming. An equally ethical alternative is to support local farmers by buying organic boxes
FILM BOOK THEATRE MUSIC EVENT
ALICE IN WONDERLANDMarch 5, cinemas nationwide
Tim Burton’s much awaited 3D fantasy, starring Johnny Depp, will enchant adults and children alike with its special effects, mad costumes and classic characters. Obviously,the Cheshire Cat is our favourite.
SOLAR, IAN McEWAN, £18.99
A dark, satirical novel which focuses on climate change.
RICKY GERVAISApril 13-15,Manchester Apollo
A chance to see Hollywood’s darling, live in his latest stand up show - Science.
WHITNEY HUSTONApril 8-9MEN Arena, Manchester
The pop legend is back after her first Manchester show sold out in minutes.
THE BIG HISTORY WEEKENDMarch 20-21St George’s Hall, Liverpool
Find out about Merseyside’s past the fun way.
What’s on in
March & April
THRILL SEEKERManchester actor Sir Ben Kingsley proves he can play just about anyone, including a psychiatric doctor in Scorsese’s new film - Shutter Island.
He won an array of awards
for his magnificent portrayal
of Gandhi. Now Sir Ben
Kingsley brings the same
intelligence and
understanding to his role in
the latest Scorsese thriller
- Shutter Island.
The Academy award winning
actor, originally from
Manchester, has received rave
reviews for playing a doctor
for the criminally insane in
one of March’s biggest
anticipated blockbusters.
“It’s been an exquisitely
difficult balancing act to
retain but there’s joy in
that,” he says of the part.
The film, co-starring
Leonardo DiCaprio, tells the
story of two marshals who
are summoned to a barren
island to investigate the
mysterious disappearance
of a killer from the
fortress-like hospital.
It’s a scary movie but
doesn’t have the usual
sensationalism and speed
of Hollywood.
“It is an unnerving
film,” concludes Kingsley.
”But there are moments of
great tenderness too.”
Sir Ben Kingsley, starring opposite his Oscar winning co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island, out on March 12.
READY TO RUMBLEThe Rumble Strips talk fashion, fame and Gone With The Wind with Clemence Flamee.
“That’s not our van Charlie,” the Rumble Strips tour manager shouts to the band’s lead singer, who is persistently tugging at the wrong car door.It’s the night of The Rumble Strips gig at the Manchester Academy, and four members of the band are strewn across a remarkably unglamorous changing room. After postponing the tour twice, they are finally here to present the fans with the latest album, Welcome To The Walk Alone.“‘Cos we’ve postponed it twice already we didn’t know if people would remember they had tickets!” says trumpet player Matt. “There’s been a bit of moshing going on but it’s been great.”Ever fashionable lead singer Charlie Waller enters, shivering, after his search for the band’s tour van. He’s renowned for his quirky vintage clothes and regular appearances on style pages, but now in the comfort of the changing room, there aren’t a pair of white brogues in sight. The best dressed man in the business has donned a pair of tracksuit bottoms.“We wear the clothes we’ve got and they just happen to be incredibly stylish,” laughs Charlie. “I’ve got three black t-shirts and I just rotate them, I’ve done that for about four years. Some of the others are a bit more adventurous, Sam’s pretty stylish as you can see,” he says pointing towards their bassist, who’s sporting jogging bottoms and a baggy t shirt. “Although you wouldn’t believe it the way he looks now.”• In 2005, Charlie also fronted indie rock group Vincent Vincent And The Villains. But the pressure of featuring in two bands eventually became too hard and he left to focus on The Rumble Strips. This led to the rather immature release of the Vincent Vincent and the Villains song, “Johnny two bands.” Charlie has previously described the
experience as “stifling and unpleasant.” But now, he says his return to The Rumble Strips was down to “a draw and love for home and family” before adding “basically my mother told me what to do.” They’re polite, modest and impressively unpretentious. When asked about the most enjoyable part of touring, Matt replies: “we watched Gone With The Wind today, that was really good.” “Sometimes you watch a film that’s too long,” jokes Charlie “Actually yesterday, we watched Dr Zhivago, but we put in the wrong disc and watched the second half of it. We didn’t realise until we got to the end.” It’s this honesty and friendliness that makes them instantly likeable. They laugh at fame and treat their audience more like friends than fans. “I can’t step outside my front door,” Henry says. “I get mobbed walking down Tottenham high road. But so does everyone else.” When they take to the stage that night, it’s easy to see why the venue is bursting at the seams. Like wind up toys, they’re off, racing through a wonderfully energetic set of their best songs. They may be named after speed bumps, but it’s clear that The Rumble Strips have no intention of slowing down.
Champagne, cupcakes and shopping - the trinity of any good, girly get together took place at Rosso’s restaurant on Manchester’s King Street, to celebrate Boo-hoo.com’s s/s 10 collection. Amid the rails of gorgeous floral frocks and denim pieces, we spotted several members of the Corrie and Shameless cast, including Rebecca Ryan and Brooke Vincent.
Meanwhile, the cream of Liverpool society celebrated Passioniquila - the start of live entertainment evenings at The Palm Sugar Lounge in Liverpool ONE. More than 300 guests enjoyed Thai Tapas and free flowing Latin inspired cocktails, drinks and fizz, while a host of international entertainers and flamenco dancers performed throughout the night.
Top: Yee Rah General Manager Graham Parry with Beth Kingston & Helen Harrington
Middle: Rick Vaughn & Jade Ainsworth
Bottom: Chaophraya & Palm Sugar Lounge General Manager Natalie Wackett with Stephen Uppal, Kris Deedigan & Elliot Longridge
Top: Shameless star Rebecca Ryan and right: Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in Coronation Street.
24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLELATIN PASSION IN
LIVERPOOL
www.foto-foto.co.uk
I had wanted to go to the land of the rising sun for as long as I can remember. An eighties child - my head was filled with bright lights, flashing TV images and kooky tales of ‘what they had in Japan’. And my teen dreams weren’t dashed. I travelled with Finnair via Helsinki and into Tokyo for less than five hundred pounds - much cheaper than my eighties imagination had thought. The air transit shot me seamlessly into the throbbing capital, where I was greeted with the clean efficiency of an OCD sufferer. Face masked commuters and hand sanitisers were everywhere - even escalator hand rails merited their own white gloved attendants. On my second day, assisted by jet lag, I was up at 4.30am to visit the Tsukiji wholesale fish market – where deep frozen tunas whizzed around on high speed fork-lift trucks and slid across the floor like huge hockey putts. Giant stacks of polystyrene boxes
flanked the doors and shone like perfect pistes as the sun began to rise and the fish started their journey to the sashimi platter. Famished, I treated myself to a traditional Japanese breakfast. It consisted of a big slab of soft, toasted white bread, an egg, small salad and great cup of coffee. It was a gastric delight along with the staple melt in the mouth sushi and affordable Kobe beef. Then, the day came to ride the bullet train – the Virgin Pendelinos’ great, great grandfather. It glided into central station like a giant, white dolphin, offering a super smooth ride with a half way view of Mount Fuji. In Kyoto, I marvelled at the amazing temples and relaxed with a Kobe burger in a few Zen gardens before checking into my traditional Ryokan (inn), with its soft futon and communal bath. I had hoped to visit
nearby Nara, Japan’s original capital, but my final few days were spent in Osaka instead. It’s a commercial city that seemed a little less conservative than Tokyo. Here, it was my last chance to experience a capsule hotel. What a bargain - for the best part of £20, I got my own single mattress in a double decker plastic bank of pod beds. I liked my space – it reminded me of camping - waking with a phone stuck to face and the fragrant smell of next door’s early morning cigarette. It was a good place to have enjoyed my final sleep but Japan still has many more strange ways waiting to be discovered - and my mask and I will be first in line for the sequel.
TURNING JAPANESEJane Thomas visits the land of karaoke bars, ancient temples and stunning sushi
Some of the wares of the Tsukiji fish market
Being seen as someone successful used to be so simple - all you had to do was wear blood red lipstick, channel Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty and you were good to go. But these days not even ‘Willie’ is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Why? Well, being an alpha villain is totally outré in 2010.
The message du jour is that you can achieve any goal on your own merit rather than trampling on others. After all, if sympathetic super-celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama are using their influence to inspire and encourage others,why can’t we?
Here are five ways to become more alpha positive:
1. Never use ambitiousness as a get out clause for bad behaviour.
2. Help others without expecting anything in return.
3. Be sufficiently secure to admire rather than envying your competitors’ success. In this context, green is not hot.
4. Hire people more talented than yourself.
5. Place worth ahead of wealth. After all, a clear conscience is priceless.
being an alpha
positive shows
confidence
this edition’s office must haves:
retro desk lamps, £135 from berry red
colourful clipboards, £3 from berry red
turquoise trimfone, £35 from beth stevens
WORKING IT!IT’S COOL TO BE KINDPenny Fray discovers why you don’t have to be scary to be successful
model wears clothes by charles tyrwhitt
Celebrity jams, rapid fire slams and an exciting new Mancunian laureate has knocked poetry off its elevated literary perch and made it cool again. Everyone from songstress Kate Nash to Michelle Obama have become fans - and a new generation of women are taking poetry out of dusty old libraries and turning it into a fun, accessible format. “I think the growing popularity of poetry is partly a response to the economic downturn,” says Professor Dinah Birch from the University of Liverpool. “People are looking for a new kind of self-expression, something more personal and thought-provoking than simply spending money on new shoes or a laptop. “Poetry is a way of connecting with yourself, and with others, with the kind of immediacy and energy that is immune to the recession.” And why bother with self help tomes and therapy when a good poem will provide more consolation than prozac? Insightful words, it would seem, are back in vogue. “Despite having enjoyed Phillip Larkin and the classics at school, I
had forgotten about poetry, but then discovered it again through Stephen Fry and the new poet laureate -Carol Ann Duffy,” says Sian Thomas, a 36-year-old marketing executive from the Wirral. “It’s a great injection of entertainment and can often inspire a new way of thinking.” Sian has since started attending poetry slamming nights and thinks it’s a great way to socialise with like minded people as well as bringing some lucidity into the chaos of existence. So, how do you go about giving the likes of Plath or Larkin a run for their money? The first step, according to Professor Birch is to read other people’s works and studying how they get their message across. “Then think about what form you want to use,” she says. “A sonnet? A ballad? A limerick? The discipline of rhyme and rhythm will help you get your thoughts into shape. Give time to choosing exactly the the one precise and particular word that will express what you want to say. Sharp language always packs more of a punch that exclamation,exhortation or sentiment.”
John Milton,
Paradise Lost. OK, it’s very long, and
very demanding. But it
is also very great.
William Blake,
Songs of Innocence
and Experience. Haven’t lost their
power to make readers
see life in fresh ways.
John Keats, Ode to
a Nightingale. Wonderfully rich,
intelligent and moving.
T.S. Eliot, The
Waste Land. Perhaps the first truly
modern poem.
Philip Larkin, High
Windows. A new voice for poetry, addressing
the experiences of
everyday life.
5 POEMS EVERYONE
SHOULD READ
WRITE ON Penny Fray discovers why poetry has become the hip new way to express yourself.