Hello Poetry Lovers 
On Thursday 21st April, I went to the wonderful St Anne’s church in the heart of Soho to see the launch of Paul McGrane’s new collection British People in Hot Weather
Set in this exquisite panelled room, the much missed Paul McGrane, formerly of the Poetry Society and the wonderful Poetry@3, launched his hot (geddit?!) new pamphlet published by Indigo Dreams
Paul started off with reading Welcome to my Country and The Government from his previous pamphlet Elastic Man. Another great recommended collection.
This built up our anticipation for his new collection British People in Hot Weather, from which he read Act, a wonderful detailed account of the poet’s first nativity play, and Kissing, and the lack of it in the narrator’s family. (To be honest, I used to hate all that sloppy kissing as a kid but I got the poet’s point.) 
The poignant and disturbing Need followed by the very visual Thrift. These powerful pieces spoke volumes.
Among familiar and new faces, there was open mic and I read a short piece called Paperboy that for some reason, I had written in shorthand! Which is okay as long as you can read it back!
Eating my sandwich downstairs in the foyer of St Anne’s during the 10 minute break, a nice man took pity on me and said I could get a cup of tea in the church. I assured him I was fine but blessed him for his kindness. 
As we reluctantly wound down, Paul announced he was having monthly open mic sessions again at Walthamstow starting from the 19th May. I really look forward to going…..
Thanks for a great and enlightening afternoon, Paul
Paul McGrane is holding open mic at the Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, Walthamstow E17 from Thursday 19th May, and every third Thursday of each month. Do go along if you can. 3.30 to 5.30 pm http://Www.poemsnotbombs.eventbrite.co.uk
British People in Hot Weather is published by Indigo Dreams Publishing. Treat yourselves http://Www.indigodreams.co.uk
Thanks for tuning in, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry action soon…..
Heather Moulson 