stuart bowditch

Please choose from the volumes of poems on the left. Vol 13 is the latest most up to date work.

22/03/09

I've been asked to perform at The Poetry Link in Southend, alongside the fantastic Liz Bentley. More info tbc

12/12/08

I attended the Sundown Poedown at the Railway. Same room, similar people, different event. I did the new poem 'Whatever happened to Disco Dave' which went down like a lead balloon. Maybe I should have practiced it bit more.

12/09/08

A repeat performance, slightly more refined, of Thursday, in the brilliant WigWam Tent at the Village Green event in Chalkwell Park.

25/09/08

I improvised at ShangriLa @ The Railway due to me not having an poems with me. I looked at my website on my phone, played some music from its speaker into the microphone and read 'Soft Drink, Hard Man'. Went down a treat.

19/09/08

I went with Sundowners Jo, Cherryl, Ray and Chris to the Poetry Wivenhoe event and played pool, drunk beer, met the locals and read 'Crane Fly'. We were asked to go back and perform again, which of course we'd love to.

14/08/08

Lance at Shangri-La mentioned to the audience that I am the poet in residence. Lovely old job.

06/07/08

I was asked to do an impromptu set of poetry at the Level 4 Magazine Lazy Sunday event at the Railway Hotel. Apologies to the small girl who I scared away from the front of the stage. I read 'The Joys of a Small Wage', 'Magic BUNZL van' and 'Lighting the Way' and sold one book :o)

29/06/08

I was chuffed to be the feature poet for Sundown at Leigh Folk Festival. I did however get into the festival spirit and was rather drunk by the time I went on. So apologies for that but I still enjoyed myself. Thanks to all who came and laughed and applauded and took the piss. I read the following poems: This is my Bronx, M127, Amongst the Dandylions, Nice Bike Mate!, Magic Bunzl Van, Keys, People Watching Pt 2,768, Soft Drink, Hard Man & Social Networking Futility.

11/06/08

My first book of poems was published by the Estuarine Press on 11th June 2008 :o) You can see more info and purchase the book here A MASSIVE thanks to all who came to the Launch Party, especially those who performed and who helped make it happen. I am in debt to you all. Best start work on the next book eh ;o) I read the following poems from the book: Joys of a Small Wage, Lettered Things in Numbered Places, Dusk, Lighting the Way, Magic Bunzl Van, Cutest Courier, Crane Fly and Guestimate.

13/03/08

This week it was good to catch up with a few old buddies at Shangri-La. I read 'Social Networking Futility'.

06/03/08

Another lovely night at Shangrila, but I apologise, especially to The Duke, for being a wee bit drunk. I read, stumbled my way through 'Dog Piss and Detol', 'A Drawer Full' and 'Hoops, Loops and Pooper Scoops'

21/02/08

I went along to the superb Apples and Snakes Open Mic night at Whitechapel to support, and jeer, the hostesses, Sundown's Jo and Chesney. I put me name down and made it onto the very full, and rather talented open mic session, and performed 'Guestimate' and 'Crane Fly'. Thanks vvvery much to Chris Davison for driving all that way, and back.

04/02/08

After driving a minibus of people 45 miles to a party celebrating Stefan Szczelkun's birthday party, I managed to squeeze on to the bill and perform 'Soft Drink, Hard Man' to the rather receptive crowd. I then had to drive home, having drunk only orange juice and coffee.

24/01/08

I once again attended the warm innards of the Railway in Southend for ShangriLa. I heard some lovely music and read 2 poems, 'Guestimate' and ''Crane Fly'

06/01/08

Kicking of a new year of poetry in fantastic style, the Sundown massive arranged a 12 hour Sundown-a-Thon, to raise much needed cash for their non-profit media event that has run on pure love for 4 years. They piled 10 willing poets and musicians plus one reporter for the Echo, into 2 vehicles and set off round the Essex countryside for some pre-arranged, and some guerilla, performances or music and poetry. I was lucky enough to be included and was privileged to perform at: The Bay Horse and Bird in Hand public houses in Chelmsford, The Blue Boar in Maldon, The Chequers in Billericay, Phoenix FM in Brentwood, The Anchor Rest Home and Crooked Billet in Leigh and the Kings Head in Rochford. Yaa Boo Sucks! to the Heybridge Inn and the Swan Hotel in Maldon. I performed the following poems: 'Soft Drink, Hard Man', 'Strangers in the Night', 'Paternity Bra', 'Little House on the Prairie', 'Dirt', 'The Day of a Million Overhangs', 'Snowboarding is the new Goatherding', 'Retrospect', 'Guestimate', 'Amongst the Dandelions', 'Not , 'Everything is Big in Big Land', 'Lady Cyclist', 'The Magic Bunzl Van', 'Limerick' and Basildon Mud'. we raised the grand total of £ , for which we thank the very generous public.

27/12/07

Another top night at Vocal Schism, where there was a much busier crowd than normal. I read 'Soft Drink, Hard Man' and 'Social Networking Futility'

picture by Caroli Ne Watson (it's all teeth ain’t it!)

26/11/07

After 4 years of quality poetry, music, films, animation, comedy and performances, Sundown celebrated with a party to beat all parties. I performed the classic 'Essex Geezer' with Cherry L and 2 poems in the open mic. A big shout to Chris Davison who gave me and my new poem a run for it’s money. Nice one! I read myspacedotcom and Social Networking Futility.

23/11/07

Another lovely, friendly (except for the domestic at the end of the bar) night of Shangri-La with Lance and his chums. Respect to Paul Hammond!! I read the following poems > myspacedotcom > S.O.U.T.H.E.N.D. = Sewage outlet under Thames hides even nastier discharge > Nice Bike Mate > Lady Cyclist >

18/11/07

Thanks to Lance and all the folk at Shangri-La @ The Railway Tavern in Southend on Thursday. I was invited to read a couple of poems, and read the following: Carrier of Bags > Soft Drink, Hard Man > Thought That Counts > Basidon Mud > One Final Gesture.

08/10/07

Volume 5 has now been updated with poems from 1998 >

03/10/07

Thanks to all who laughed and clapped at the reading of my new poem at Sundown on Sunday. It was good to be back behind a mic after such a long absence. You can read it in Volume 13 >

18/09/07

Volume 6 is now ready for your perusal > should you be inclined >

15/07/07

Volume Seven is now fully updated >

26/06/07

Been a busy boy and updated Volume 9 >

25/06/07

Just updated is all of Volume 10 > Reading through as I was adding the poems, I didn't realize how dark this volume is > Makes me realize that I did indeed need to get away from the memories and all too familiar streets, wash the cobwebs away and open my eyes to a whole new world > the last poem "frostalgia" very poigniantly says it all >