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sitting in the room. beer flowing freely. conversation turns from easy books to tv to wrestling. an unfamiliar subject. i fall silent. they talk of moments, characters and moves. past greats and legends. the intricacies of contracts and politics. president in passing. the make up is put on. the costume adorned. they enter the ring. loud music pumps their arrival. the crowd goes wild. enormous hands wave approval. the zebra signals the start. a bell rings. two forces clash and hurl. the cry of the crowd. a head encased in arm. a crash to the ground. groans and cheers. all is lost to me. i think of haystacks and big daddies. of women in curlers. chips to hand. small crowds and small venues for small rewards. a name on a sauce bottle. the conversation turns to comedy. i take a sip of beer.

a psychogeography of turnpike lane

Featured | Posted by theworddoodler

in the summer of 2023, during the haringey arts festival, i got involved with a writing project. the idea was to map the psychological reaction to local area in turnpike lane, london through pieces of poetry and prose. we spent an afternoon exploring and writing about the local area.

writers ventured out. made notes. then sat and scribbled a piece or pieces of writing. what resulted was a collection of work that spoke of different roads, shops, buildings, or journeys.

after some editing and compiling by clever people, a book was born. some abstract illustrations were added to accompany the work, and a year late the book was launched in london.

i attended a launch in the all good bookshop which is right in the heart of turnpike lane. extracts were read, discussion took place, plans were made, and whiskey dunk.

friday 20th september sees us at the magnificent st mary’s tower in hornsey to promote the book. it promises to an atmospheric evening of celebration, laughter, and possibly intrigue.