What really happened to Robin Hood and his outlaws?

Robin Hood is probably the most famous legendary outlaw in the world. He is portrayed in a myriad ballads, books and films as an amazing archer who wore green clothes and who led a merry band of men. Of course, he robbed the rich and gave to the poor.

Peter Morrison

Writer Peter Morrison does not think it was as simple as that. The main character of his recent novella A Lonely Road, which is set in the year 1214, is not Robin Hood, who is dead and buried at its beginning, but a young advocate, Thomas Sturdy, who comes across his grave in the forest. He goes on to conduct a full investigation, conducting interviews with those who associated with the dead man, like a certain William Scarlet.

Douglas Fairbanks and Enid Bennett in 1922

He will be reading from his book and explaining his research at a free preliminary ‘Between the Lines’ event (with refreshments) for Headingley LitFest at 7pm on Thursday 17 November in Headingley Library. The main part of the annual LitFest (the tenth!) will be next March.

Northern England at a time of political flux and shifting loyalties is evoked in startling detail in this book. It all feels very authentic and it helps make it a proper page-turner. Copies will be on sale.

Peter Morrison lives in Keighley and is Chairman of Airedale Writers’ Circle. He comments: "The novella is making a comeback – not before time. Few doorstop novels seem to get read to the end. I wanted to write a short but intricate story which held the reader's interest all the way while evoking a sense of the distant past. Hopefully a work of fiction with a difference."

Student volunteers step forward!

We welcome support and participation from all students, as in previous years. Get in touch!

Here's a photo of the LitFest's table in the Parkinson Court of the University of Leeds:

Photo by our volunteer co-ordinator Sally Bavage

Plans for the next LitFest

The LitFest committee has now met to talk about what is going to happen in March 2017 - but there will be events in Headingley Library before then in our 'Between the Lines' series:

Keighley author Peter Morrison will be reading from his extraordinary historical novella A Lonely Road, which is set in the year 1214. Robin Hood is dead and has recently been buried in the woods when the story starts...
Headingley Library 7pm Thursday 17 November   FREE 

Richard Wilcocks, aided by pictures on screen, will be contributing to the bicentenary celebrations of Charlotte Brontë's birth with a talk entitled Charlotte Brontë - terrible teacher, brilliant novelist
Headingley Library 7pm Thursday 8 December FREE  


In addition, the LitFest's programme of poetry in schools will take place earlier than before - in November and December 2016.

Helen Mort

Helen Mort will again be delighting the Year 6 pupils at Ireland Wood Primary School. Read about what she did earlier this year:

http://headingleylitfest.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=helen+mort

and listen to her reading Struck on Woman's Hour a few days ago:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p048nrtq

or watch her here speaking about her work:

Student Volunteers from Leeds University

Now that the main March programme has finally been completed, it is time to take stock of things. And one item that was a true delight was the support LitFest received from a lovely group of Leeds University students, recruited through the Volunteering Hub. Thanks to Jo Hargreaves and Laura Bielby at the university for working with us to advertise and facilitate the opportunity.

In total 12 students wrote blog entries for us – some more than one - and another three helped with the setting up and managing of events. See below for some of the comments they have made about how their supporting us has helped them.

Additionally one student, Georgia Davies, volunteered not just to help blog an event (the 'arthouse western' film Jauja) but also to help set up all 28 events in our programme on Facebook and add pictures to our Instagram accounts. This was really helpful when a small group of volunteers was up to their necks in actually getting event venues finalised, artists' fevered brows smoothed and last-minute technical or logistical hitches sorted out. Oh, and making cakes for our 'Tea and Cake With ..' events, buying and serving wine at our 'soiree' events … you get the picture. A literary festival is not just authors 'selling' their books.

See our extensive blogs of all our events here:

http://headingleylitfest.blogspot.co.uk/ If you want to find out what they wrote, just use the Search box on the top right. Oh, and we also got 'spear-carrying' support from Megan di Luzio, Natasha Lyons, Alex Pestell, Daniel Seddon, Megan Smith and Helen Woodhouse.

Here's what some of them wrote about working with us:

Harriet Beach is studying for an MA in Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies. "I really enjoyed going along to the LitFest event as it gave me the opportunity to do something a bit out of the ordinary, and also put my writing skills into practice!"

Ming Wei Chong is currently studying the Bar Professional Training Course (training to be a barrister), having previously studied Law at the University of Leeds. “Extremely memorable involvement for my final year in Leeds!”

Georgia Davies studies BA Music & Spanish. She adds that “I have learned a lot about the publicising of the festival, as well as how to set up events and writing creatively in a blog post. I also got to learn a lot about local authors and poets!”

Brian Miller studies English literature with a concentration on British Romanticism. He said it was “A stimulating and engaging look into a wide variety of subjects both familiar and foreign” and “Thank you for the wonderful opportunity; I greatly enjoyed the experience. “

Alex Paddock is studying English and Roman Civilisation. He comments that “Collaborating with Headingley LitFest helped me gain an understanding of poetry in practice, It is something I have had to study a lot in my degree but you hardly ever get the chance to see a performance of poetry which I think is far more enticing and engaging than reading it the page of a textbook.”

Polly Thorpe is studying for an MA in English Literature. She writes: “My experience of volunteering at Headingley LitFest 2016 was excellent. Not only did I have the opportunity to attend and help out at various events but also, by writing up a blog after the event, I was able to make a lasting written contribution to the festival.”

Sophie White studies BA Philosophy and comments “what I enjoyed most about volunteering at Headingley LitFest was discovering a whole group of literature lovers who want to share their enthusiasm with the community.”

Francesca Wilson studies English Language and Literature. She felt that “Volunteering with Headingley LitFest was a great experience because it allowed me to see how literature can be used to reach out to the local community.”

Headingley LitFest says a huge “Thank you” to them all!

Syrian poet and son murdered for 'apostasy'

Richard Wilcocks writes:

The LitFest event 'Eat With Adonis' on 7 March in Mint Café was full. The people present on that evening heard English versions of poems in Arabic by the great Syrian poet Ali Ahmad Said Esber (Adonis), so I assume that the members of that audience at least will be moved by the following report from PEN International on the murder of a Syrian poet and his son by the death-cult IS.

14 March 2016

Mohammad Bashir al-Aani

PEN International is shocked and deeply saddened by the murder of renowned Syrian poet Mohammad Bashir al-Aani and his son Elyas in Deir al-Zour city by the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS). According to media reports, Al-Ajani and his son were originally held in an undisclosed locations with 100 others after they attempted to leave an area of the city that was besieged by IS forces. Reports emerged in recent days that both al-Aani and his son were killed after IS accused them of ‘apostasy’.

Mohammad Bashir al-Aani, who was known for his opposition to the government of President Bashar al-Assad, had published three volumes of poetry and was said to be known for his lyrical style. According to family members interviewed by local media, Al-Ajani and Elyas had returned to the area to bury his wife who had died in Damascus.

‘We are shocked and deeply saddened by reports that Mohammad Bashir al-Ajani and his son Elyas were murdered by the militant group Islamic State which had accused them of ‘apostasy’. The deliberate murder of civilians during an armed conflict is a war crime and both those who commit them and those who order them must be brought to justice. We call on all actors involved or with interests in this conflict to use all diplomatic means possible to ensure that no more civilians – including writers – are killed’. – Salil Tripathi, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.

For more information, please contact Sahar Halaimzai, Campaigns and Communications Manager, PEN International at Sahar.halaimzai@pen-international.org or +44 20 7405 0338.

- See more at: http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/syria-pen-international-condemns-murder-of-syrian-poet-and-son-for-apostasy/#sthash.zgADhZBG.dpuf

Leeds City Academy - poetry with Rommi Smith

                                                  Photo by Sally Bavage

Sally Bavage writes:

Celebrating the e-book launch of 'Achievement': a brand new poetry collection by Leeds City Academy in collaboration with writer Rommi Smith

Before we saw Lulu, it was lovely to meet and celebrate their 'Achievement' with some of the young poets who had worked hard with Rommi Smith and the head of English, Rebecca Capstick (pictured), in after-school workshops to bring together their own book of poems. As Rommi said, “Poems say a lot in a few words or lines,” and cover some very inspiring, special or important personal topics.

As Ms Capstick enthused about the quality of the work - “Absolutely brilliant, with lot of compliments from other members of staff” - she recalled the difference that the poetry workshops had made to some of the young people. “Miss, I need to improve in English” was a moving comment from a young poet who had shifted her attitude towards learning after starting this project. She had “noticed a depth and maturity to the work that was bearing fruit in English lessons.” One young man “who would reluctantly write a couple of sentences now writes a page each lesson.”

And so to Lulu. It is a self-publishing company, and the Leeds City Academy group from year 9, called appropriately LCA9, have provided the poetry in a 42-page e-book of their poems called 'Achievement.' It's already online and available to buy. Rommi typed all the poems, edited them, compiled the collection, with the children forming an editorial team and co-editing with me in the final session of the series, choosing a title and cover of the book.

They were also introduced by Rommi to a variety of digital writing resources new to the school. These include: Lulu, Tagxedo, as well as new forms (to the school) such as mesostics and circle poems. A favourite was Tagxedo, which turned their words into word clouds. Gilson in particular remembered using that as “Great fun.” He also said that writing poetry “Gives me a voice, writing things I don't normally say.” Rivaldo thought the project had been “Really good, I love writing now, writing poetry for the first time.” Marcus thought the best bit had “Actually been writing poetry for the first time.” Sian thought “Writing your thoughts is easier with poetry,” and “I would love to do it again.” Mirela was “Proud of my work ; today was a lovely day.” You can see a theme here. Latisha thought it had been “A good adventure.” As Ms Capstick said, “They know now they have the ability to write, there is no stopping them.”

Over pizzas provided by Leeds City Academy, and the cakes and drinks brought by Rommi from The Real Junk Food Project in Armley where she volunteers (and it was the first one set up in the world; now it has spread to Brazil, South Africa, etc), we enjoyed chatting about the poems in the book before hearing some of them read out. For the first time. The project this year did not have enough time to fully develop performance skills, but the young poets had a go. Despite the nerves and shaking papers, they did well to address the audience which included the new headteacher Jackie Rose and new and deputy headteacher Jo Hill, as well as other staff and members of the LitFest committee.

They were also given some advice by Azalia Anisko, one of the stars of the film made in Leeds, 'We Are Poets, who had popped in specially to join us. “Keep your writing journey going; being a writer is a life journey. Just practise and perform to keep your ideas alive.” Advice Rommi had given her when mentoring her for the 'slam' poetry competition six local poets went to in Washington. DC that is, not county Durham. America. (Did they win? You'll have to watch the film to find out).

Rommi deftly linked the work the young people read out with references in literature, the real world and our own experiences, making each young writer feel their work was valued and valuable. She summed up a lovely celebration with some anecdotes about her own life, including having read out her own poem to commemorate the abolition of the slave trade. In the Houses of Parliament. When she was the Poet in Residence. Doesn't get much more prestigious than that! What a delightful role model for these aspiring writers to have, one that Headingley LitFest feels privileged to have brought to Leeds City Academy.

Just a couple of snippets of the many poems inside the book:

Poem of the Pen

The ink of education

It’s the long stem to revising

Latisha Brazil

Free: you and me

I am the right for people

I am the right for women

I am the right for freedom

I am the right for men

I am the right to love whom you want

I am the right of race

Anonymous