THE KATES HILL PRESS, DUDLEY, ENGLAND

PREVIOUS NEWS 2009

11/10/09 From the In The Pipeline Page:

PAUL EVANS

BLACKPOOL OR BUST
Coventry born author Paul Evans' brilliant debut novel. When care assistant Jack McDonald learns of his curmudgeonly charge, Charlie Wilson's, diagnosis, it's time to put old feelings aside.  A new promotion affords Jack the opportunity to realise Charlie's remaining wish to visit the place of his betrothal so despite the odds, it's BLACKPOOL OR BUST. The amourous intentions of Mary in combination to the interests of Laura add spice to the plot as Jack helps Charlie reach his goal. At turns comic, tragic, and steamy, you won't be able to put this one down.

Out later this year.

PETER HEAD

CHAINMAKERS, CHAPELS AND PUBS
A family move from Shropshire to the expanding Cradley Heath to form a dynasty the varying parts of which become involved in the diverse activities of Methodism and keeping public houses, as well as the ubiquitous chainmaking.  Peter Head tells the history of family in loving and intrcate detail and in so doing paints an incredible picture of an emerging Black Country township.

Out later this year.

LES LACEY

BLUE GENES
Les Lacey tells the story of Josh, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier who turned hearts and heads wherever he went with his loveable character and beautiful blue coat. But rare in the world of Staffords, his blue coat did not always bring him the recognition of the breed purists and judges. A rare insight into the world of dog breeding and the prejudices that often hold sway.

Out later this year.

24/04/09 From the Live Literature Page:

SATURDAY 18th APRIL 2009

St GEORGE'S DAYEVENT, DARTMOUTH PARK, WEST BROMWICH

Greg Stokes reading with Poetry Wednesbury, 3.15 pm. Other Poetry Wednesbury slot 1.15pm. Also appearing, Brendan Hawthorne and others.

THURSDAY 23rd APRIL 2009

St GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATION, THE BRITANNIA INN, ROWLEY VILLAGE, B65 9AT

Brendan Hawthorne, Geoff Stevens and Greg Stokes are putting on a night of Black Country flavour entertainment, starting at about 8.30 pm. Admission free. The pub will be putting on a faggot and peas suppar. You'll need to order this in advance. 0121 559 3415.

31/01/09 From the Live Literature Page:

FRIDAY 30th JANUARY 2009

Poetry/stories/comedy at the Quality Hotel (Ward Arms), Birmingham Road, Dudley. In aid of the Save St John's Church appeal. 8.00pm

Tickets £2.50

Available on the door, or reserve yours from the Kates Hill Press, 01384 255973

Brendan Hawthorne… Brendan is the Black Country's answer to beat poetry, bringing influences of rock and roll, industrial decline and his mother tongue into his work. A top notch performance poet Brendan runs Poetry Wednesbury, and is a mainstay of the Langley group who meet monthly at the Barlow. He was one of the original Alternative Black Country Night Out performers. His recent books include Urban Dawn and Slide. Brendan’s work has also appeared in public arts projects including the new Morrison’s.

Geoff Stevens... Geoff is a stalwart of the poetry scene having been active for four decades now.  His dialect verse is pure quality but dialect poetry is but a fraction of his output. Truly a poet of international renown, Geoff as organised events, ran small press poetry publications as well as writing and performing.  Currently Geoff runs the poetry nights at the Barlow theatre in Langley and is involved with Poetry Wednesbury.  His recent books include, Absinthe On Your Ice Cream, and  The Previously Uncollected Selected Poems 1975– 2007. In July 2006 Late Night Cafes And Other Dives, a joint work with Brendan Hawthorne was published. The All Night Café Cabaret is a performance project being worked up by Geoff, Brendan, Louise, and Greg Stokes.

 Storytelling from:-

Sue Hulse… Born and brought up in a mining community in Yorkshire, Sue has lived in the Black Country for 30 years.  A writer, storyteller and poet of great skill, warmth and humour, she performs much of her work without notes.  Sue is writer in residence for social inclusion in Sandwell, and has a long performance pedigree both locally and nationwide.

Greg Stokes... has been writing since the early 1980s. He set up the Kates Hill Press in 1992 as a vehicle for A Witness For Peace which told of his father's murder in Morocco after the Libya bombings in 1986. The Kates Hill Press has gone on to publish over a dozen local authors across over 40 titles. In 2005 Greg moved into live literature, founding Creative Co-operations with Billy Spakemon and Gary O'Dea. Which ran the Alternative Black Country Night Out. Thre nights continued under the RoosterKateSpake banner until Greg joined Lydon Evetts to organise the Alternative Black Country Revue which toured the region. Black Country Stories & Sketches, A Witness For Peace, Tried By Prejudice, The Gulf , A Pack Of Saftness, Second City Stories, and Brierley Hills Cop are published by The Kates Hill Press. Two audio books, The Grant and Doctor have also been brought out.

Comedy from:-

 Des Stokes... has been performing stand up comedy spots at pubs across the Black Country for many years.  His local, and main venue, The Cross Keys on the Rowley Road has sadly been knocked down but Des got up at Greg's 50th birthday party in April 2005 to absolutely amaze an audience that included Lenny Henry, Dawn French and Cyrille Regis.  Des performed in the last Alternative Black Country Night Out on 30/09/05 and had them chanting his name.  His style, of monologue mixed with toilet humour set in a bye-gone Black Country is not to be missed.

Emma Rollason… has resurrected the brilliant old style Black Country comedienne Dolly Allen, performing a set of original Dolly material with side-splitting poise.

 And a bit of everything from:-

Louise Stokes… who appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, has a host of characters including the chav poet Kimmy Sue Anne.  Louise continues to attract a lot of attention and a lot of work on the Birmingham comedy circuit.  Two books of poems based on Louise’s characters, “The Forts of Kimmy Sue Anne” and “Conversations with the Family of the Grotesque,” were published in 2007.  Her novel Faerie Dust appeared in November 2008.