Online internet courses by Call of the Page

Are you interested in a Call of the Page course? We run courses on haiku; tanka; tanka stories/prose; haibun; shahai; and other genres.

Please email Karen or Alan at our joint email address: admin@callofthepage.org
We will let you know more about these courses.

Call of the Page (Alan & Karen)

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Blue Monkey Renga helps launch a new and important community centre: Paulton Library Community Hub at Hill Court Shopping Centre


































I'll be at Paulton Library, at The Hub Tuesday and Wednesday to launch the community renga where visitors can add a short verse, even something akin to an anecdote, if the spirit moves them.








I've run highly popular renga for the public in previous times, always a brilliant experience, and occasionally with rengaistas from the internet helping out too, so we'd love help again!


What is Renga?

Renga is a traditional Japanese group poem that is ‘shared writing’: everyone is allowed the chance to write, or orally suggest a verse.

Renga is simply writing incredibly short lines (2 or 3 line verses) with almost teasingly invisible connections to each verse.  People can chose to listen or write, and above all share in the decision-making of each verse.  When completed the renga poem is jointly owned by everyone.

It’s very inclusive, creative, and encouraging, and the making of this communal poem is as important as the final result.

Councillor John Bull has very kindly provided an opening foray of verses so no one need be shy producing the first verse.

The Blue Monkey Renga

starlings swirl
like leaves against
the evening sky

daffodils
from verge to verge

on the allotment
an old man grunts
behind his spade


If anyone would like to add verses by leaving a comment on this blog, or  email: renga@withwords.org.uk and we'd love to add your verse!

Why is it called The Blue Monkey Renga?  Help us bring the Blue Monkey alive!  Send us your renga verses!


Paulton Library Community Hub opens at Hill Court on Monday 15 April.  Bath & North East Somerset Council has been working on the project with Paulton Parish Council and local ward Councillors John Bull and Liz Hardman.  The vision being that this facility will aid regeneration of the village’s shopping centre.

The new Hub will provide the same range of services as the current library plus the additional benefits of a coffee bar, WiFi and a meeting room that anyone will be able to hire.  The Hub will also provide the opportunity for a range of other organisations to deliver their services in an accessible, central village location.

Keeping the new facility open for as many hours as possible will be an important part of the project.  The old library wass staffed for 14 hours a week but by using a combination of existing staff, self-service machines and volunteer support the new Hub will be able to stay open for much longer.

Paulton - THE COMMUNITY HUB
  • Address: 1-2 Hill Court, High Street, PAULTON, BS39 7QG
  • Telephone: 01225 394041
  • Email: councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Library Manager: Judy Terry
  • Car Parking: Free parking available at the back of The Hub
  • Location: Next to poppies flower shop 

Opening hours are:
Monday: 09:30 - 16:30
Tuesday: 09:30 - 18:00
Wednesday: 09:30 - 16:00
Thursday: 09:30 - 16:30
Friday: 09:30 - 16:30
Saturday: 09:30 - 12:30

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