The 1000 Verse Renga: a call to all poets and the public for even more verses

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The Renga Project
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now over 1000 verses
and extended to Christmas!

Roger McGough: "This is a lovely idea."



BBC Poetry Season:
"The free project, led by Japanese poetry expert Alan Summers, is the first attempt in Europe to produce a 1,000 verse Renga."
Alan Summers also took part in the BBC's Poetry Summer 2009 season.


An open invitation to poets and the public :
We said we'd love even more renga verses from all the residents of Bath, and all the poets and writers in Bath, and we did, thank you!

We believe this 1000 Verse Renga will stand as an extraordinary social document, as well as a riveting poem.

Competition
A competition is also being planned for Spring 2010 for the best verses in various categories: local poets and writers; international poets and writers; the general public; and schools and children.

AN EXPLANATION ABOUT THE WHOLE THING!
This is a unique project drawing experienced writers, and international haiku and renga poets, and their verses together, with contributions from the general public.

I'm the Japanese Embassy roving "Japan-UK 150" haiku & renga poet-in-residence currently in partnership with Bath Libraries.

A challenge started on National Poetry Day (U.K.) in October for the residents of Bath and North East Somerset to create the world's longest poem using the renga form of poety (see below).



This project became more than a poem, it allowed people from all walks of life to reveal aspects of their life, their worries, their fears, to create a unique time capsule for the residents of this area:

and with verse contributions from all over the world from people who care about people beyond their geographical, political and cultural boundaries:

Bath Chronicle: Councillor Terry Gazzard, Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture said:

"B&NES' libraries are a place where words can come alive and everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Schemes like this poetry project bring the whole community together and reinforce Bath's reputation as a global centre for the arts."

Alan Summers, Bath Chronicle newspaper:

"Libraries are a place of words, and as someone who promotes the love of words, what better place could I choose to launch this incredible type of poem, where the public write the poem – not the poet."

I also want everyone to join in with this fully inclusive group poem!

Bath Central Library access incl. lifts, BSL, and computers:
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http://tiny.cc/LibraryAccess

1000 plus verses up on single verse cards too!

Photos taken from last Friday where we had a photo-shoot of this amazing project.


photo by Kathy Hogan (With Words)
June Wentland, Reader Development Officer, Bath Libraries; Alan Summers, haiku & renga poet-in-residence, Bath Libraries; and Lynne Hamer, Children's Librarian for Bath & North East Somerset Council Libraries.


Both photos by Kathy Hogan (With Words)
June Wentland, Reader Development Officer, putting up individual renga verse cards hand-copied from email and txt renga verses.

Don't forget to click onto images and make them bigger!



photo by Kathy Hogan (With Words)
The 1000 Verse Renga was going to be just for a month, but popular demand has made this project extend into Christmas with a final display planned for the New Year.

photo by Kathy Hogan (With Words)
We have actually gone past the 1000 verse target, but people love this project so much we just had to keep going, and we are already past 2000 verses, but very happy to receive even more!

Renga verse email: moreverses@withwords.org.uk


photo by Alan Summers(With Words)
Please do ask what a renga verse is, or what renga verse you could link to, but bear in mind that verses are constantly coming in via email and mobile txt on two different numbers, plus twitter and facebook and other ways too! ;-)

Don't forget to click onto images and make them bigger!

re Competition
We're also planning a competition for the best renga verses with possible categories such as: Best Children's Verse; Best Local Adult Verse; and Best U.K. Verse; and Best International Verse. Keep checking in for when we announce this part of the 1000 Verse Renga.

So many best bits about this project, and so gratifying when someone of the stature of Roger McGough tells you it's a lovely idea!

For those of you interested in sending us a renga verse to add to the big renga project, you can either take the plunge and send them straight to: moreverses@withwords.org.uk


Alan taking a photo of Kathy of With Words taking a photo of June Wentland putting up something like the 950th verse card, all copied by hand by June throughout the library.

Or ask us for a verse to link to, bearing in mind that verses come in thick and fast from means of communication via electronic means, as well as people walking into all the branch libraries throughout the county! ;-)


photo by Kathy Hogan (With Words)
Please scroll down to catch earlier posts about this remarkable project and how it started.


photo by Alan Summers (With Words)

photo by Alan Summers (With Words)
The Children's Department also has a wonderful window with verse cards too!

Don't forget to click onto images and make them bigger!


photo by Kathy Hogan (With Words)

A taste of some of the fine international renga for the project

photo by Alan Summers at Bath Central Library
Please click onto the image for a larger picture and enjoy!

Thanks Renku Group!
Weblink: http://renkugroup.proboards.com/index.cgi

The 1000 Verse Renga is now 2000 verses strong!

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David Lassman, scriptwriter and novelist, who also co-runs the Bath Writers Workshop, helpfully filling in a space between verses!

David was also possibly the 1,999 person to write a renga verse, topped up to 2000 from an entry from Mexico by email later that evening.


photo©Alan Summers


photo©Alan Summers

Thanks David!

It's always gratifying to find one of Bath's fine writers willing to be involved in such a community spirited project as the 1000 Verse Renga Project on the same day Roger McGough told us it was a lovely idea.
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The 1000 Verse Renga Film

photo by Karen Hoy
The 1000 Verse Renga being filmed: Alan preparing for the interview.


Alan being interviewed.

photo by Karen Hoy

Watch this space as there will be a film about the 1000 Verse Renga Project being released this year!

Free Renga Poetry Workshop, Friday 1pm - 3pm Bath Central Library

Alan Summers

Free Renga Workshop
Bath Central Library
Friday 6th November
1pm - 3pm

Bath Central Library
1st Floor Level
(Library is behind/to the side of Caffé Piazza)
The Podium Shopping Centre (www.thepodiumbath.co.uk/shopping)
Bath BA1 5AN

Access:
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/leisureandculture/Libraries/specialneeds/default.htm

Alan Summers, Embassy of Japan's roving Japan-UK 150 haiku & renga poet-in-resident, and in Partnership with Bath Libraries, is giving a free renga workshop and session as part of The 1000 Verse Renga.

Please join Alan Summers and June Wentland, B&ANES Reader Development Officer for an action-packed and entertaining renga session.

Everyone is free to come and go, suggest a verse, or just make a comment.

This will be the penultimate event for the nearing conclusion of the highly successful monthlong project based in Bath Central Library and other B&ANES libraries (including Keynsham Library).

Alan will also be in the library earlier in the day being filmed with writers and poets June Wentland; Sara-Jane Webster; Tracey Kelly; and Karen Hoy in conjunction with Like Starlings.

Although we are near the 1000 Verse target we still welcome even more renga verses (haiku like verses) and there are a manner of ways to do this.



WAYS TO ADD A RENGA VERSE TO THE 1000 VERSE RENGA!

You can visit the 1000 Verse Renga display (situated Bath Central Library foyer/Quick Select area) and add a verse by doing it live on a renga sheet! But don't forget to add your name and town/district.

Or submit a Renga verse by email: 1000verses@withwords.org.uk

or

Txt a Renga Verse: 07797 806 545
Type RENGA followed by the verse and your name (first or full) and town.

1000 VERSE RENGA INFO WEBLINKS:

Web link: BBC Poetry Seascon 1000 verse renga article

Web link: Bath Chronicle newspaper article



The final version of the 1000 Verse Renga will be a free eBook with comments and facts, by Christmas, as well as printed copies to read when visiting Bath Central Library.

Alan, WITH WORDS
http://www.withwords.org.uk

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Writers in Conversation

Tracey Kelly & Alan Summers

Tracey Kelly's debut novel The Hal X Syndrome, described by Terry (Monty Python) Jones as “funny, surprising and original”, is already attracting interest from Hollywood, and already in the hands of an L.A. scriptwriter.

Alan Summers, founder of With Words, is talking about his children's novel-in-progress 'The Christmas Van'; and the big project The 1000 Verse Renga as the Japanese Embassy’s roving haiku & renga poet-in-residence.

WEDNESDAY 25th November
The New Inn, Monmouth Place, Bath, BA1 2AY

7-9pm * £5 on door



The New Inn webpage:
http://www.wadworth.co.uk/bath/new_inn/

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The 1000 Verse Renga progress

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/education/Poetry-children-write-1-000-verse-poem-Europe/article-1438818-detail/article.html

Be involved in this unique ground-breaking project!
Everyone from Bath (and BATHnes) and the Rest of the World are welcome to send a renga verse.

Just send a two or three very short line verse, or ask us to send you a verse to link to!

Renga verse email: 1000verses@withwords.org.uk

MOBILE PHONE / CELLPHONE "TXT A RENGA!"
Txt a Renga Verse: 07797 806 545
with RENGA followed by the verse and your name (first or full) and location

txt from outside the U.K.?
WEBLINK: World Phone Codes

BBC WEBLINK:
Alan's BBC 1000 verse renga article

weblink:
1000 Verse Renga: the beginning and National Poetry Day

Just two of the many renga sheets and renga verses coming in from local people and from around the world:

The 1000 Verse Renga

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The Renga Project
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has now reached over 1000 verses
and is now extended right up to Christmas.

Roger McGough: "This is a lovely idea."


An open invitation to poets and the public
This is an open invitation to all the residents of Bath, and to all the poets and writers in Bath to collobrate on this unique project.

We urge you to help us create a super poem that is jointly written by the public and local, national and international poets.

We believe this super renga will stand as an extraordinary social document, as well as a riveting poem, all at the same time.

Competition
A competition is also being planned for the best verses in various categories: poets local and international; the general public; and from children.

This is a unique project drawing experienced writers and international haiku and renga poets and their contributions together with from the general public.

As the Japanese Embassy roving "Japan-UK 150" haiku & renga poet-in-residence currently based at Bath Central Library (situated upstairs in The Podium Shopping Centre) and in partnership with Bath Libraries from June to December 2009 (and New Year 2010), I set a challenge starting on National Poetry Day in October for the residents of Bath and North East Somerset to create the world's longest poem using the renga form of poety (see below).



This project becomes more than a poem, it allows people to reveal aspects of their life, their worries, their fears, it creates a unique time capsule for the residents of this area:

and with verse contributions from all over the world from people who do care about people beyond their geographical boundaries:

Bath Chronicle: Councillor Terry Gazzard, Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture said: "B&NES' libraries are a place where words can come alive and everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Schemes like this poetry project bring the whole community together and reinforce Bath's reputation as a global centre for the arts."

Bath Chronicle quote me:

"Libraries are a place of words, and as someone who promotes the love of words, what better place could I choose to launch this incredible type of poem, where the public write the poem – not the poet."

I also want everyone to join in with this totally inclusive group poem!

Bath Central Library: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives

haiku published in the 2010 Haiku Calendar

image©Snapshot Press
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“Don’t think that calendars are just for keeping the dates straight … If you were only interested in excellent haiku from this choice of international authors, this would be an exotic addition to your bookshelves, even when the years have passed beyond this one.”
Lynx (USA)


I'm delighted to be able to say that two of my haiku are to be published in the terrific Haiku Calendar for 2010!

The first lines of each haiku:

‘allhallowmas’
‘yellowing fields’

Alan Summers (England)
Runner-up, The Haiku Calendar Competition 2009.
The Haiku Calendar 2010 (Snapshot Press, 2009).


Adjudicator's Report

This year 768 entries were received from 104 entrants residing in 14 countries across 4 continents:

USA (54 entrants), England (26), Canada (6), New Zealand (4), Scotland (3), Wales (3), Australia (1), Austria (1), France (1), India (1), Ireland (1), N. Ireland (1), Singapore (1), and Sweden (1).

As ever, in the initial stage of adjudication each poem entered faced one simple criterion – its quality as a haiku. The shortlisted haiku were then judged according to their originality and relevance to their assigned months, particularly with regards to seasonal references.

With 52 haiku by 37 authors, the resulting 2010 calendar continues a rich tradition exploring and celebrating the continuing relevance of seasonal references in English-language haiku.

Many thanks again to all entrants for making both this contest and the calendar a worthwhile, and ongoing, experience. I would like to congratulate all the winning poets, and hope that their haiku will be widely appreciated throughout the coming year.

John Barlow

To Order Now
The Haiku Calendar 2010 can be ordered online or by mail order.

Forthcoming Events

Please email us at: info@withwords.org.uk
for any enquiries

We've had a very busy 2011 and 2012.  Some of those events, where public, are posted at Area 17.


Current 2012 events are posted, or will be posted over the coming months.


Thank you for your great support!


Alan, With Words

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***SPECIAL OFFER***
FROM WILTSHIRE COUNCIL,
A FULL HAIKU COURSE AT A HIGHLY SUBSIDISED RATE: 
http://area17.blogspot.com/2010/08/totally-haiku-in-wiltshire.html
 
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Purely Haiku 

Lead Tutor Alan Summers
With Words Residential Course, Claridge House, Surrey
Monday-Friday 11th to 15th April 2011

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Totally Haiku in Wiltshire

October 2010 - March 2011

see weblink: http://tiny.cc/totallyhaiku

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Exploring Haiku

Warminster

Wednesday evening 26th January 2011

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Mini-Memoir Writing
Lead Course Tutor Karen Hoy

With Words Residential Course, Claridge House, Surrey

17th - 21st January 2011

The group will share memories and anecdotes, and then encapsulate them in short, separate, pieces of writing. With different themes each day, the course will provide structure for experienced writers,
and gentle encouragement to beginners.  There will be plenty of ideas to take away for future memoir writing.

COURSE LEADERS:

KAREN HOY has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Bristol University, and is a published writer of poetry and non-fiction.  

She was Highly Commended in the BBC Wildlife Magazine Nature Writer of the Year Competition 2009, with a nature memoir essay, but enjoys all sorts of triggers for her memory writing.  

Karen also works as a Development Producer and Writer for factual television.

ALAN SUMMERS has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University.
He is widely published, a specialist in short-form literature, and an experienced workshop leader.  Alan is the founder of With Words, an organisation that promotes the love of words. He is currently working with Hull Council on a major literacy event based around Hull Libraries and the rest of the city. 

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September 16th

Private haiku and renga workshops with Hull writing group

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Larkin on Living

Monday 9th August 2010

7pm - 9pm

As part of Larkin25 (the Philip Larkin Festival) I read selected renga verses from the ongoing Hull Global Renga:
http://area17.blogspot.com/2010/08/philip-larkin-day-evening-reading-of.html 
http://area17.blogspot.com/2010/08/larkin-on-living-review.html 

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The History Centre

Monday 9th August 2010
10am - 4pm

Freetown Way, Hull, East Yorkshire 

  
The History Centre arcade café
I will be in the cafe from 10am - 4pm, so please join me for a coffee if you can, for a chat and even a renga verse or two.

Informal and friendly.
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Hull Global Renga
June 15th - December 2nd 2010

Alan Summers as renga poet-in-residence for the City of Hull:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Hull

We would love to hear from:

  * people living in Hull or just outside.
  * people who were born in Hull but now live elsewhere in Britain 
        or the rest of the world
   * people who have either worked in Hull or have spent a holiday there.

Hull is a glorious city, where despite its poverty levels, has possibly the most friendliest people in Britain.

Part of the Super Renga Project is to promote both the amazing work carried out by Hull Libraries for its people, and to show that Hull is city worth visiting because there are few places left where you can spend a much needed holiday or short break without being pestered as a tourist.

If you feel you can't write a renga verse of 2 or 3 short line duration, please do send an anecdote or brief account of your time spent in Hull.

The Hull Global Renga email: hullrenga@withwords.org.uk

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June 2010


Moor Poets invitation to Alan and Karen:
Click for further details:
The Summer Haiku Almanac workshop and walk
Dartmoor Sunday June 13th


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May 2010

Swindon Festival of Literature
Haiku poet-in-residence with family friendly activities:
http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/

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2010 Bath Japanese Festival:
Book Arts, Films, Haiku and Renga Festival
(May 12th - 23rd 2010)
With Words in Partnership with Rachel Carvosso of Tokyo Art Beat; Bath Libraries; Uni-Verse; and International Haiku Spring Festival 2010: Akita, Northern Honshu, Japan

May 22nd
Renga sessions (in planning)
Ffi: rengaBath@withwords.org.uk

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RESIDENTIAL COURSE
Monday - Friday 12th - 16th April 2010
only two places left as of Monday 15th March

WRITING POETRY the haiku way.
Claridge House, Dormans Road, Dormansland Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6QH

Enter the world of Japanese poetry:
immerse yourself into the ‘quietnesses’ of haiku while weaving the haiku technique into your writing.

Here is a little taster of what we'll be enjoying during the residential course:

• The Haiku Game: great entertainment and ice-breaker and a relaxed way to start to understand all about haiku
• Haiku: its history, techniques, how to keep a haiku journal (with complimentary Haiku Journal): how to read or perform haiku (and haibun); and how to get published.
• Ginko: a writing walk, weather permitting, with complimentary Haiku Journal

The course also includes an insight into other 'forms' associated with haiku:

• Tanka: the short love poem
  
• Haibun (prose with haiku): great for journals or diary entries, and with travel writing
• Renga: Our last full day will have a 12 verse renga, just for fun!

CONTACT DETAILS

Claridge House
tel. no. 01342 832150 or 0845 345 7281

Website: www.claridgehouse.quaker.eu.org
email: welcome@claridgehouse.quaker.eu.org

Claridge House, Dormans Road, Dormansland Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6QH


Haiku is a relaxing way of noting the ordinary moments in our lives, and with a complimentary Haiku Journal, you can become part of the Haiku Way.

This is our second residential course at Claridge House by the way.

After such a successful week last year both Claridge House, the students, and myself and Karen decided to have this second residential in 2010, and the food is incredible, and all diets covered too!


2010 comments (more to add later)


"I loved the week and am thoroughly inspired by you and Karen.  Thank you so much."


2009 comments:
"Just to say that I have heard from the magazine you suggested and they have accepted my story and will publish and want more. Thank you."
(National magazine)

“You are a great teacher, and I know what I'm saying. Thank you for everything you gave us.”

“…still on a high…you helped me move past a real boulder I had been lugging around…I am very grateful and enjoying my writing much more.”

“Anyone lucky enough to write a renga with Alan will certainly learn what words can do."

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and as haiku are often written with a seasonal reference, and contain natural images, be inspired by the nature right outside Claridge House.
There will be plenty of opportunity to have one-one and/or group feedback on haiku and other forms that you wish to either get to publishable quality, or wish to develop further in your writing as a novelist; travel writer (and other non-fiction); a journal/diarist; or poet.

CONTACT DETAILS

Claridge House
tel. no. 01342 832150 or 0845 345 7281

Website: www.claridgehouse.quaker.eu.org
email: welcome@claridgehouse.quaker.eu.org

Claridge House, Dormans Road, Dormansland Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6QH
Reg. Charity no 228102.

Ffi and the renga we did for Red Nose Day: Residential Course

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World Book Day
Thursday 4th March

Catch me at Bath Central Library (U.K.) from 1pm to 5pm!

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FEBRUARY 2010
Saturday 20th February & Sunday 21st February 2010
Bristol Sign (Haiku & Renga) Poetry Festival

SOLD OUT!
Both days including Saturday night poetry event (150 bookings!)


The University of Bristol Centre for Deaf Studies and the Centre for Personal and Professional Development, in association with Scream Bristol, and Action Deafness Books, are pleased to announce the second Sign Poetry Festival.

Workshops are free and will explore different areas of sign language with the Japanese arts of haiku and renga.

Saturday 10am-4pm FREE WORKSHOPS!
Workshops at the University of Bristol, with Richard Carter, Johanna Mesch, Paul Scott, Donna Williams, John Wilson and leading haiku poet Alan Summers.

Poetry workshops are open to members of the Deaf community (age 18+) and will be in British Sign Language. A simple lunch will be provided.
Please email donna.west@bristol.ac.uk if you would like to book a place.

Sunday 10am-4pm
Workshops, participant performances and private awards ceremony at the Bristol Centre for Deaf People.

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JANUARY 2010
Renga Sessions, Bristol (private NESA booking)

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2009

Wolds Words Festival
Lincolnshire
Friday 23rd October 2009

"I have heard nothing but great reviews. You were a great asset to the Festival programme."
Katie-Louise Holden, Assistant Arts and Events Officer

EVENT #1
Haiku & Senryu Workshop £5
10.00am to 12.00pm
Navigation Warehouse, LOUTH
http://www.louthcanal.org.uk/warehouse.html

This workshop is suitable for beginners right through to advanced writers. There will be exercises and group discussion/Q&A and a complimentary Haiku Journal notebook.

EVENT #2
Haiku Walk £5
2.00pm to 3.30pm
Begins at Navigation Warehouse, LOUTH
http://www.louthcanal.org.uk/warehouse.html
http://www.louthcanal.org.uk/geography.html
"Haiku are poems rooted in natural history and the seasons; they make us conspirators with wildlife, as nature half-writes the haiku before we've even put pen to paper. Become a co-poet with nature!" Alan Summers
*Special Offer:
Only £7.50 if you book onto both Haiku & Senryu Workshop and Haiku Walk.

Wolds Words 2009 Festival :
http://woldswords.net/festival.html
http://www.woldswords.org.uk/
Louth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louth,_Lincolnshire

FOURTH WEDNESDAY
Guest Writers in Conversation
www.bathwritersworkshop.co.uk

Tracey Kelly & Alan Summers
Wed 25 November 2009, 7-9pm £5 on door
The New Inn, Monmouth Place, Bath, BA1 2AY


Tracey Kelly is the author of The Hal X Syndrome, a novel described by Terry (Monty Python) Jones as being “funny, surprising and original."

"City writer is noticed by Hollywood." Bath Chronicle, November 12th 2009

Tracey will be talking about her inspiration for the book, now in the hand of an L.A. scriptwriter, and work on the sequel.

Alan Summers is writer and founder of With Words, and is the roving ‘Japan-UK 150’ haiku and renga poet-in-residence at Bath Libraries for The 1000 Verse Renga Project.

Alan will also be talking about The Christmas Van, his children’s novel-in-progress.

The New Inn:


Wadsworth Brewery New Inn page & map: http://www.wadworth.co.uk/bath/new_inn/

Streetmap.co.uk page: http://tiny.cc/NewInnMap

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Creative Community Festival, Radstock

photo by June Wentland, BathNES Reader Development Reader

Creative Community Festival: art|works in Radstock
Alan Summers of With Words: Renga at Radstock Library!
September 26th 2009
2.15p.m. - 6p.m.

Alan Summers holding the second shisan renga (12 verse group poem of shared writing) that we did with people before the library closed!

June Wentland, BathNES Reader Development Officer and myself travelled to Radstock in order to get a renga poem happening as part of the festival. Little did we know that people would love the idea of renga so much that we would complete two renga group poems!

This was also due to the wonderful, friendly, helpful Radstock Library staff, and nesa people.

Renga is a group poem of shared writing, and great fun!
We were all so pleased with Radstock Library users being so keen to get involved.


photo by Mel Day (wire sculpture artist: http://www.melday.co.uk/)

L-R: Judy Terry, Radstock Library Manager; June Wentland, BathNES Reader Development Officer; and myself at the end of a long but delightful day!

We just loved all the verses from the public!

This was the second of two With Words haiku related events on Saturday in the South West of England.