The King's Psychic - Sean Stowell

Doug Sandle writes:

Sean Stowell    Photo: Sally Bavage

In the late 1930s a taxi is summoned in the middle of the night, the driver screens off the back seats with a curtain, as instructed to do so on such occasions when he his required to meet a docked cargo ship at the harbour of Douglas Isle of Man. A mysterious hooded figure is escorted from the ship into the taxi that speeds away to the North of the island to a mansion hidden away in a wood, close to a military airport.  There lived Dr Alexander Cannon,  a Leeds graduate in medicine, a self-proclaimed mystic, an alternative therapy guru with a cult international following whose practices included  electrotherapy, hypnotism and a belief and ‘practice’ in telepathy. Cannon attracts many clients from the Mainland who are attracted by his charisma and have a belief in his bizarre treatment regime. Cannon’s clients and followers include many from the top echelons of the British military, government and high society. There is every chance that the secret visitor is a very high ranking individual – even, (as the taxi driver’s son believed and later revealed) to be a very senior member of the then cabinet - or even King Edward VII himself.

Into this scenario add the presence of two sisters from Sunderland who had  been trained and given new names and identities by Cannon and who may have  been involved in duties of a more sensual and erotic nature, - a plot by the Archbishop of Westminster and the Church of England to oust Kind Edward and bring about his abdication,  that  Cannon’s dinner table and client  networks  included Blackshirts, fascist sympathisers and Nazi supporters and friendships with Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler’s special envoy and later foreign minister, and with an influential  banker to royalty and a Nazi sympathiser, George Drummond - further add a ‘special’  relationship between one of Cannon’s assistants and one of his clients, Sir Geoffrey Congreve, a naval commander who founded the Special Service Squadron, also  a mystery secret programme to use telepathy  to locate enemy submarines,  plus a sprinkling of Winston Churchill and conflicting views about Cannon in MI5 and you have all the makings of a fantasy spy thriller. However this was a real life story, the subject of a book, which was most ably presented by local BBC TV journalist Sean Stowell, author of The King’s Psychic.

Dr Alexander Cannon

Sean outlined the life of Cannon and the intrigues and mysteries surrounding him, which were received with interest and fascination by an engaged audience. Sean included in his presentation recorded extracts from his book, some read by his BBC TV colleague, Harry Gration. There were plenty of questions and speculations from a good audience in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the after-hours Headingley Library. The overwhelming conclusion was that this was a film waiting to be made – and perhaps one day one to rival The Kings Speech - whose subject was also apparently, on at least one occasion, a client of Cannon’s.

Cannon and some of his associates eventually fell from grace and in his final years he lived in Douglas in a large town house where he kept the curios he had collected in his heyday as an international guru. He still wore a cloak and attempted to continue his persona as a mysterious practitioner of mystic and magical arts. However he became a parody of himself and attempted to pedal his persona as an act on stage, only to be received as a somewhat pompous figure of fun. 

In my own childhood during the 50s on the Isle of Man, I once visited his Douglas residence to be entertained by his supposed magic as part of a school visit (his house was very close to my secondary school). This visit was as a member of the school rugby team that had won some competition or other and we had been invited into his house to also watch an inter-varsity match on TV –as not many had televisions at that time. I remember going into a darkened room that was artificially lit and that was capped by a black ceiling scattered with silver stars. The room was packed with curios – stuffed alligators, swords and weapons and strangely carved cabinets. However his later persona was more Harry Worth than a mixture of James Bond and Gandalf. Perhaps such was merely to disguise and obfuscate his past as a German spy, as he was suspected of being such by both the local police of the time and some of MI5 – or maybe, just maybe, as an English spy involved in an extravagant complex life as a double agent – as there are tantalising hints in Sean’s book that sometimes Cannon was also being protected by some other influential person or source?

Audience comments:

The library staff were very pleasant and had plenty of chairs and a display of connected books. The talk was enjoyable, plenty of questions, some sales. (But I am Sean's mother ...!!)

Really enjoyed hearing about the book and thought the recorded readings were a really nice touch and did well to break up the talk. Was interesting to hear people’s questions and reflections at the end.

Fascinating event with a personal interest for me. Carrying on the fine versatility of this festival. One small criticism – can you find some sporting interest, particularly cricket of which there are numerous books?

Excellent; interactive speaker, historic topic.

Very interesting indeed. Can’t wait to see the film.

A really fascinating story – adds to the intrigue around Edward VIII’s abdication.

Very interesting, fascinating sounding book which I will now read.

Interesting and thought provoking.

Very interesting – a subject I know nothing about but do now!

Interesting but a complex and confusing story.

Excellent.

Something Else to Think About

Sally Bavage writes:

Come along Milord... sit at my table...  as Edith Piaf might have said

The programme for this fifth collaboration between the WEA Headingley Writers group and the writers from the Osmondthorpe group of adults overcoming barriers to learn suggested that “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect “(Oscar Wilde).  Well, we are very modern indeed here!  Thanks again to the Jimbo’s Fund who helped us with supporting this opportunity for local writers to explore the theme of Something Else in a wide, and wild, variety of pieces.  You can hear more about Oscar Wilde on Saturday 21 March.

 

The hall at the Heart Centre had been transformed into Le Chat Noir cabaret bar, with low lighting, mood music, a ‘cast’ in rather louche attire - and a promise of some really strong writing to entertain us. Nearly two hours of mesmerising original work came to a close, leaving our audience delighted, proud and frankly stunned at what they had been privileged to hear and see.  And the home-made cake made its usual guest appearance as an old favourite.

Headingley Writers had produced the backdrops - thank you to Chloe Wilkinson and Howard Benn – the King of the Rhyming Couplet – who then filled the role of compere by producing a poem to introduce each piece of work, as well as his own feline musings.  I was reminded of the old joke, the very old joke – “What’s black and white and re(a)d all over?” Answer: a newspaper and our costumed Headingley writers, who had really got into the spirit of a Parisian dive. 

Photos: Sally Bavage

What followed was extraordinary –

political prose, stand-up comedy, poetry, kitchen sink (or couch potato) drama, children’s stories and hard-hitting news-reporting. 

We moved between fun and wit to horror and tragedy, all handled with a light touch and providing the humane in the human stories.

After a break for tea and cake and time to set-up, the Osmondthorpe Hub gave us a second half as strong as the first.  Life stories for some – accidents and illness – as well as musings on nature, family and friends were explored in poetry that proved both a challenge to write and perform as well as a triumph over nerves and the occasion.  Yes, hands that often shake were shaking more than usual, but so too had been those of the abled writers.  Performance is never taken for granted, but performing original work grants the audience the privilege of sharing another’s world.

These lovely poems contained such lines as “Don’t take things too seriously”, “I can scamper in my heart” and “Life is about being part of a team, Now I am in the Osmondthorpe Hub team”.  From “In a moment my life changed” to “.. and I love a whiskey too.”  “Literacy has been my magnificent friend” said another.  “I am very proud of myself” and “… but I am still here!”  Of death, “My bell was never rung”.  “To make my family proud of me, I am living through adversity, I am being independent in my own unique way.”   Indeed.  Humbling. Cue tears and cheers.  The End.

Lynn and Rod

Work from the Headingley writers: Howard Benn, Hazel Kilner, Alan Harding, Rod Jeffries, Lynn Alexander, Caroline Wilkinson, Di Spence, Janice Maldonado, John McMahon, Lynn Thornton, Michael Freeman, Jim Mallin, Karen Byrne and Val Wright.

Work from the Osmondthorpe Hub writers: Lee, Carl, Jenny, Sheila, Julie, Mally, Paul, Winkie, Sue, Mandy, Jane, Paul, Robert, Julie.

Grateful thanks to Alison Taft, tutor for the Headingley writers, and Maria Preston, tutor for the Osmondthorpe Hub group.  Also thanks to John and Howard from the Headingley group, David and Gavin from the Hub, who set up and wrestled the technology into submission, and Rachel and Mary, who made such wonderful cakes.

See more on Alison Taft’s work at http://www.alisontaft.co.uk/

See more on Maria Preston’s work at http://www.mariapreston.co.uk/

Audience comments:

Fantastic set of performances

Great event, a great surprise.  Some very thought-provoking humbling and inspiring writing and performances.  Particularly impressed with the bravery and courage of Osmondthorpe Hub insights into their lives.

I really enjoyed the variety of the pieces performed.  The venue is excellent and really well decorated for the event

Very thought-provoking and sensitive work.  A joy to listen to people over 50 being creative!

Impressed with Howard’s artwork, loved Fifi, moved by Val, spellbound by Lynn, entertained and tickled by Lynn, very grateful to Alison for her great commitment and skill in producing such a varied atmospheric programme.  Not sure about the flashing light effect and reminded by one or two artist that my hearing is only around 67% these days.

Everything was so professional from the performers, to the scenery and running of the event.  Such a diverse range of performances at a fantastic quality.  I have really enjoyed myself. The Osmondthorpe group were very impressive.  All of their poetry and prose pieces were very good and incredibly moving.  I’m looking forward to seeing them perform again next year.  Thank you. It’s a wonderfully diverse event and really entertaining.  This is the second year I’ve come and I look forward to next year.

Having attended this event twice before, I always look forward to coming again, but this year the quality of the writing and the ambient atmosphere created by the group surpassed all expectation.  There is some exceptional talent in Leeds

Never having been to an event of this nature before, I was unsure of what to expect.  But have been pleasantly surprised at the wide scope, talent skills, variety and content of the group.  Also a pleasant friendly group feel was very apparent.

Inspiring.

The Headingley Literary Festival provides the Osmondthorpe Hub creative writing group with a forum to be heard!  The Hub is about working towards the social model of disability, breaking down barriers that society puts in front of disabled people.  The LitFest gives individuals an opportunity to experience something that they may not have had the chance to do before.  A tremendous experience!

Fantastic atmosphere, warm and friendly and beautifully decorated.  Some great performances from everyone.  Thank you.

Having performed in the morning it was so exciting to see old friends from the group in Osmondthorpe performing and enjoying themselves.  Excellent performances and content!  The Hub performance was truly amazing.

Loved the room setting and music – Cabaret.  Created a terrific ambiance.  Packed room – Le Chat Noir theme and themed red and black clothes added to a polished and enjoyable performance.  The quality of the writing was excellent and the varied programme enabled students to show their individuality perfectly.

This was a very good and enjoyable event.  I thought that the poetry and cabaret theme by the Headingley WEA group particularly the dialogues were very good. I also enjoyed listening to the Osmondthorpe group reciting pieces about their own lives.

Very enjoyable and inspiring.  Full of admiration for writers and performers – their talent and courage – and hard work!  The Heart Centre is such an attractive environment and really inspiring with artworks on walls and dedication to positive creative values – for disabled as well as able-bodied.  The atmosphere was heartening and deeply humane – and the warm of the reception by the audience was an indication of how it was all appreciated.

This was something else!!  It was amazing.  Such talent; different tones, different stories and voices and I loved the black cat slinking its way through the pieces.  Can’t wait to see what you will all do next year.  Thank you writers.

An inspiring event, brilliant combination of groups, wonderful individual contributions – as ever.  Wonderful Osmondthorpe!

Really wonderful, welcoming uplifting, encouraging, thought-provoking, funny, amusing, clever, inspirational, heartwarming  - and long may it continue.

Loved the variety of offerings – torch song, children’s stories, sketches and I went through the gamut of emotions with all of them.

I found the event interesting as it is good to see and hear what other groups are doing

And tutor Alison Taft adds:

It's hard to explain what an impact performing at The Headingley LitFest each year has on my creative writing class. It provides a focus to the Spring term, and it turns a group of sometimes quite disparate individuals into a team, a troupe. The shared experience of writing, editing, rehearsing and performing together breaks down any barriers or reserve between group members. It unites the group, making them feel part of something. We have an age range from 20 something to 90 something. We have the abled bodied and the differently abled, we have people from all walks of life, some with mental health issues and by the end of the spring term, we have forgotten any differences and we are a united force.

England Arise - Juliet Barker

Laurah Furner writes:

Juliet Barker                Photos:  Richard Wilcocks

Growing up in Kent on a road called Wat Tyler Way, I spent a great deal of my primary school history lessons hearing about the Peasants' Revolt, and being encouraged to draw pictures of angry mud-spattered men waving pitchforks at the king. After listening to historian and author Juliet Barker’s talk last night on the same subject, in relation to her latest book, England Arise, I found that my primary school education has done me a spectacular disservice on the matter.  

With a clear command of the room and a meticulous manner of speaking, Barker systematically took her audience through each myth of the Peasant’s Revolt and explained the actuality with such authority of her subject that I couldn’t help but try to scribble down every word. Barker’s account of the revolt not only explained the rebels’ unified demand for the removal of corrupt officials and freedom from serfdom, but paid particular attention to the way in which the Chronicles which ostensibly report on the event are the product of a corrupt system bent on denouncing rebellions lead by intelligent artisans and craftsmen as an ‘amorphous mass of ignorant peasants’.

Barker’s book partakes in the disassembling of this notion in a most intimate sense, using her scrupulous knowledge of the subject not just to explain the grievances which caused the rebellions, but to include the accounts of specific regions and individuals which provide a much more human aspect of the Revolt than has been attempted before. Leaving the library after the event, I came away not only with the feeling that the changes this rebellion called for are far more relevant to today’s political issues that I had once assumed, but with the notion that although this ‘revolt’ ultimately achieved none of its aims, the aspirant middle classes who attempted to expose and change a system which was corrupt on every level have been finally been given the narrative exposure their cause deserved.  

Audience comments:

Very stimulating presentation. Excellent delivery and makes you want to get to know that period of British history.

Imaginative approach, lively delivery. Just what history talks ought to be! Lovely.

Exemplary. Quite splendidly lucid and informative. Well done all-round.

Great talk from a knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker. Audience questions also thought-provoking and relevant. Only ‘improvement’ I can think of is one or two visuals just to help along those of us with less starting knowledge.

Good focus on background which widened the scale of this popular uprising. Also role of Richard II extremely interesting.

A very interesting and lively talk. Speaker could command attention without needing illustrations – most lecturers seem to find a screen essential. She brought the past alive. I’m grateful to the LitFest for putting on this event.

Excellent talk and very good Q&A afterwards.

Most valuable account of a revolt that has not had its full story told. It was good to meet the author.

Excellent speaker, thoroughly engaging. Couldn’t have asked for better.

Excellent talk. Will definitely read the book. Great fan of Juliet Barker’s books on Brontës and Wordsworth.

Very interesting. Told me some things I did not know.

Interesting and informative filling in the huge gaps in my knowledge of the period.

Excellent. Great that it was at Headingley library too.

Very informative and insightful talk.

A fascinating talk. Great use of Headingley library.

An enthusiastic and informative talk.

A fascinating and excellent ‘lecture’. Thank you.

Fascinating, coherent, enlightening.

Very interesting and informative.

Very interesting talk. Thank you.

Very informative talk. Thank you very much.

A fascinating event. The speaker was excellent.

Excellent speaker with a really interesting story to tell.

Fascinating! Very interesting.

Always a good speaker, very informative.

Excellent event, talk.

Excellent lecture.

Very good!

Yorkshire Noir - Helen Cadbury, Nick Quantrill, Alison Taft, Nick Triplow

Helen Cadbury, Nick Quantrill, Alison Taft, Nick Triplow

Audience comments:

Photos: Richard Wilcocks

Really interesting. A fabulous articulate discussion and an excellent introduction to new authors, to read and look out for.

Great event. Well balanced between authors talking about their own books and Q & A. More crime fiction events please!

Excellent evening with interesting authors.  Good readings (bought book of one author simply due to reading). Approachable and friendly authors. Many thanks for a great evening.

Excellent evening. Well balanced panel. Alison Taft was a good chair.

Fantastic! Learnt so much. Wish it had gone on far longer.

Was fabulous and really enjoyed it. Took my mom for Mothers’ Day … was well worth it!

Interesting evening. Good speakers. Felt informal and relaxed. Informative. Entertaining.

Informative and enjoyable. Well up to the hoped for standard and a lively evening throughout. Thank you.

Good insights into how different writers go to their tasks. Let’s have more of this kind of event.

Lots of fun and informative about how to write and create ideas.

A good evening. Interesting to hear the background to each of the author’s books and when they started crime novels etc. Nice and informal.

Very interesting to hear about the craft of writing.

Interesting and enlightening evening.

Very interesting talk with different perspectives.

I arrived promptly at 8pm so missed the readings. Discussion interesting.

Superb! Thank you!

The Whale in the Woods

Kate Baldwin writes:

Back: Clare, Dave/  Front: Jem, Julian, Florence

The atmosphere in the Meanwood Institute for the Julian Oxley event was just lovely. With the hall decorated in bunting and an abundance of tea and cake, Dave Robertson’s reading of The Whale in the Woods entertained the gaggle of children at the front as well as the grown ups at the back, especially the local dogwalkers that knew Meanwood Park and the Hollies well. We were even honoured to have the real life counterparts of the characters Florence and Jem in the room – Julian’s daughter and family dog – which were adorable and worked the room with Florence sitting on the stage, occasionally waving to her fans.

After cups of tea and slices of delicious cake kindly provided by Julian’s family, he then read a section from his upcoming Florence and Jem book about the Meanseas pirate ship. Florence clearly knew she was the star of the show when she came to sit on her father’s lap in the middle of the reading, while Jem sat patiently wagging his tail.

The Florence and Jem stories were great, passing the hardest test of keeping children occupied for more than two minutes! The Whale in the Woods also had a delightful message at the heart of it: don’t be scared to use your imagination, no matter what others think. The local setting and the characters materialised in front of our eyes also helped to make the book and the event as enjoyable as they were.

Audience comments:

Photos: Richard Wilcocks

I really enjoyed it when they were looking for the whale – J (aged 8)

It is lovely to have a story about the park, thank you a lot.

Taylor really enjoyed the storytelling and receiving the book. Mummy and daddy loved the tea and cake.

Delightful and interesting event. I feel inspired to seek out more LitFet happenings. I especially enjoyed coming to Meanwood Institute – an intimate and friendly experience.

A most enjoyable event – a lovely book (great illustrations). Thank you. PS good cake too!

Enjoyed the reading and book. Good support for local writers. Well done. Good luck Julian.

Excellent reading. Thoroughly enjoyed the story which was made all the better being in the local vicinity.

Very busy event – extremely well attended. Good reading by David.

Fantastic event, fab story, great reader.

Really enjoyed it. Well done Julian!

Kids loved the stories. Great event. Would definitely come to similar.

Lovely event, wonderful atmosphere (and cake!). really enjoyed it.

Excellent event – very enjoyable.

Very enjoyable!

Delightful

Trio Literati - Censored

Audience participation in a Shaw premiere                       Photos: Richard Wilcocks

Serene Leong writes:

Known for their intelligent and witty performances, Trio Literati charmed me tonight with their take on censorship in the UK. They took on a light hearted and entertaining approach towards this sensitive and controversial topic. 

The trio, Maggie Mash, Jane Oakshott and Richard Rastall performed snippets of prose and poetry and were joined by musicians Eleanor Rastall and Jonathan Drummond. Taking the audience on a wild ride, the trio entertained with their versions of censored plays. A few lucky ones in the room were even given a chance to join in the fun, taking up characters in The Shewing Up of Blanco Posnet by George Bernard Shaw, a play which was originally banned by the Lord Chamberlain because of its references to God. 

It was a night of comical banter and intimate sharing, all within the playful perimeters of censorship. I’m glad I joined in the fun! 

Shhh! Shall not elaborate more, because.. CENSORED! 

Jonathan Drummond

Eleanor Rastall

RW writes:
One memorable highlight of the evening was Eleanor Rastall's superb rendering of the Brecht/Weill classic Nannas Lied (Nanna's Song), in the original German: "Meine Herren, mit siebzehn Jahren/ Kam ich auf den Liebesmarkt/ Und ich habe viel erfahren..." Her translation appeared in the programme - "Gentlemen, at seventeen years/ I came onto the Love Market/ And I experienced a lot..." More!

Audience comments:

Brilliant as ever. Entertaining, thought-provoking and innovative. Outstanding communication with and engagement of the audience. Wide range of material skillfully woven into a coherent and engaging presentation.

How wonderful it is to be able to nip on a bus for 10 minutes and then watch such a fantastic show. Well done to organisers and performers.

This superb show combined cabaret, dance and comedy. The script ranged over the history of censorship … but never did the content obscure the performance. Brilliant research matched by wit, song and dance.

Innovative, entertaining show.  Very funny. Love the songs and lighthearted treatment of serious issues which is also thought provoking.

Highly professional compilation, well written, usual high standard of performance. Should be banned!

A joy and delight. Totally original. Amusing and instructive.

Full of energy and life. What we need to make us think with joy and …

Delightfully witty handling of a serious topic which is no less relevant today.

A witty and lighthearted history and exposé of an insidious plague.

Excellent choice of material with contemporary relevance – Eleanor R’s singing included for first time in my experience added a splendid extra dimension.

Original- thought provoking, funny and surprisingly topical. The music complemented the play beautifully.

Entertaining performance.  Very ‘English’, and that’s still okay? Singer had a very appropriate voice, with sympathetic accompaniment.

A thought provoking and enjoyable evening. The musical interludes were particularly enjoyable part of the evening’s event.

Very enjoyable in their inimical style, thought provoking, well presented. Songs and music a welcome surprise. Professional.

Wonderful mix between literature and music with a well balanced note of comedy and knowledge …

A lively funny entertainment with an especially engaging musical performer.

Well performed – very clear and audible at the back.

A nice selection of scenes. Very original and entertaining.

A wonderful selection of songs and prose. Really entertaining.

Very enjoyable, but with a serious undertone.

Excellent mixture of song and spoken word, with lots to think about.

A beautiful show, entertaining, thought-provoking, witty, very well performed.

A highly entertaining evening of humour, satire and music.

What a super evening! I didn’t realise how censors ruled our lives!

A great idea, brilliantly executed. And very funny.

First class in the cabaret tradition. Very well put together and with a top class vocalist.

Brilliant show, very original and though provoking. Wonderful acting and singing.

Brilliantly done and lovely singing and music – most enjoyable.

Good fun (thoughtful) good music.

Very entertaining.

An excellent evening!

Very good!

Thoroughly informative, original and fun.

Great fun.

 A witty and clever script. Perhaps there was a slight imbalance, the first half seeming to have more ‘zing’ than the second which we wanted to go on and on! Eleanor was (is!) a charming addition to the group.

A very slick performance enhanced by so many of the audience living locally and knowing the cast. The interspersing of the drama with music from Eleanor Rastall and Jonathan Drummond worked very well. The fact that some of the Trio Literati team were reading from a script part of the time did not matter. It was a great evening.

The show was entertaining, although the fact that the performers mostly read from the script rather than recite from memory, was distracting – and detracting from the pleasure.