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An evening of readings, live music and images from Gerry Rae.
Poetry Open Mic afterwards.
Our Pop up Café returns this Saturday 15 April, above SUSSED - Local and Lush, Fresh and Fair. Menus include veggie options
A welcome return for Rhian Edwards to the Green Room.
Brood is the new pamphlet from poet Rhian Edwards. Winner of all three categories of Wales Book of the Year in 2013 for her debut poetry collection, Clueless Dogs, Bridgend-born and based Edwards is known for her dazzling performance style and her vivid, often acutely personal poems.
The new pamphlet opens with ‘Birds of Rhiannon’ introducing us (via a nod to the famous medieval Mabinogion story where magic birds, said to bring people back from the dead, console the heartbroken Celtic princess Rhiannon) to a darkly resonant tone that echoes from the myth:
Before I was mortal, I was haloed
in feathers, my trinity of familiars;
whose birdsong was legend, serenading
the dead from their dreams,
lullabying the living to torpor…
The centre of this new pamphlet is a ten-part poem, ‘Pied Margot’ based on the mnemonic rhyme for groups of magpies ‘One for Sorrow, Two for Joy…’. This long poem charts the progression of a troubling relationship from infatuation to disillusionment, alongside the birth of a much-loved daughter.
There are unflinching descriptions of arduous pregnancy, as well as miscarriage, that remind us that this stage of a woman’s life can be as risky as a battlefield. Also, any parent will recognise the irritated joy of ‘Kiss’ where a child becomes an expert at ‘delaying the damnation of bedtime.’
Meanwhile, birds are at all times present: hovering, chattering, casting their shadows, they are both tricksters and familiars in these hypnotic, spell-like poems. Welsh artist Paul Edwards has provided some beautiful charcoal drawings of magpies inspired by this atmospheric sequence, which feature throughout the pamphlet.
Other poems feature Gulls, Red Kites and ‘The Universal Doodle’ of a murmuration cloud of starlings. This pamphlet Brood is an apt follow-up to Clueless Dogs and leaves us eager for the poet’s next full collection.
Click for more info.
Bridgend County Fairtrade Partnership is holding a Fairtrade Festival including a ‘Bake-Off’ at Carnegie House, Wyndham Street, Bridgend on Saturday 18th March from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a family event and there will be Fairtrade stalls, coffee bar, stalls, story-telling music, films etc.
Find out more at the dedicated page on the Sustainable Wales website.
The first of a new series of talks and debates at the Green Room above SUSSED 'What is Sustainability and how do we make it part of our culture?'. These are planned for the second Friday of the month (orange posters).
The sub questions will be along the lines of belonging and culture and how mainstream culture seems to be based on using consumerism as a way to belong, which in turn may make it a difficult thing to let go of. So how do we link sustainability with belonging, on a local level as well as a global level? And how do we appeal to people who may see becoming 'eco' as moving away from their traditional communities?
Hosted by Suzanne Williams.
BYOB, Free but donations are welcome. Some refreshments will be available from our fairtrade range of teas and coffees. Please share this on social media. More events planned for the Green Room this year so check our twitter, these event pages etc.
Tell your friends!
One Time Alive, following the release of their albums Sugar Train and Five Star Vending Machine return to the Green Room for an evening gig with old and new material.
Listen to One Time Alive at www.onetimealive.com
Live music events are planned for the first Friday every across 2017 keep a look out for the blue posters...
The latest album is available at SUSSED.
8pm. Friday, February 24 sees the return of the charity, Sustainable Wales’s Green Room after a winter break.
First performance will be poet, MIKE JENKINS, a widely published writer who has won Wales ‘Book of the Year’ and edited the international quarterly, ‘Poetry Wales’.
Mike is celebrated for his radical political views, but his poetry is wide ranging and original. Often it reflects his life spent as a teacher in comprehensive schools in south Wales.
Well known also as an opponent of opencast mining, which he sees as a blight on his local landscape in Merthyr Tydfil, Mike Jenkins has also recently began to write in Welsh.
Joining Mike will be fellow poet MIKE CHURCH, and there will be opportunities for local writers to join in the Open Mic, always a popular Green Room feature.
The Green Room will diversify in 2017, with a series of music events and discussions.
Entrance £4. Everyone welcome. The charity does not have an alcohol license, thus the public are urged to bring their own.
More information: 01656 773627
The latest books by Mike Jenkins and Mike Church will be on sale on the night.
The pop up Café returns with delicious home made food and fair trade coffee, teas etc.
The pop up Green Room Cafe returns on 17th December. Call in for some delicious home made goodies.
One Time Alive will launch their new album, Five Star Vending Machine at the Green Room above SUSSED on Saturday 10th December 2016. Live music and meet the band...
GREEN ROOM RETURNS WITH LOCAL WRITING
Charity, Sustainable Wales welcomes all local writers to its GREEN ROOM, 5, JAMES ST. PORTHCAWL CF36 3BG on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, at 8pm for a celebration of ‘new writing’.
Entirely devoted to the ‘open mic’, the event will feature Robert Minhinnick, Gerald Webber and a variety of other prose and poetry writers.
Entrance £4.
More information: Sustainable Wales 01656 773627
The Green Room Cafe above SUSSED opens every third Saturday of the month 10.30am - 4pm. We will be serving homemade cakes, soups, snacks and savouries. Pop in to the pop up Café!
Sustainable Wales is holding a fairtrade bake off at the Green Room (above SUSSED). We're inviting bakers, schools and local groups to dust the fairtrade flour off their aprons and get to work baking for this flavoursome event.
So whether you're an enthusiastic baker or an even more enthusiastic cake connoisseur, make a date in your diary for the bake off... Saturday 12 November 10am-4pm (10am for entries -free, Café opens to the public who can judge the cakes and bakes at 11am, £3.50 inc. tea/coffee/cakes etc.).
Don't forget, delicious organic, gluten free and Fairtrade ingredients can be found at SUSSED including lots of flour and spices options.
Want to enter? Find out all the details on the bake off page! on the Sustainable Wales website.
Anthony Hontoir an author based in Porthcawl launches his ninth work at the Green Room a crime novel; "The Tidal Road Mystery", followed by the popular Open Mic event.
Film screenings: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 8pm. GREEN ROOM above SUSSED, 5, James St. PORTHCAWL CF36 3BG
Sustainable Wales’s ‘Green Room’ returns from its summer break with showings of ‘Late Love Poems’, a series of films by Eamon Bourke of Park6 Productions based round poems by Steve Griffiths. These will be followed by an Open Mic for local writers to perform their work, maybe with a ‘love poem’ theme. £4 entry. Bring your own drinks. Everyone welcome. Further details – Sustainable Wales 01656 773627.
About the Late Love Poems films.
Steve Griffiths
Lee Aspland
Sussed, James Street, Porthcawl 10.00am – 1.00pm Saturday 17th September
Workshop outline – Introduction to Mindful Photography
This Mindful Photography Workshop is a fun three hour event that will expand the way you see. You will develop a mindful practice that will help you be totally present when taking photographs and encourage you to align what you see with your mind and heart.
Mindful photography is simply described as meditation with your camera. The workshop will share techniques and practices that will act as a foundation for developing your ability to be present with all that you see and to create original and personal photographs.
The course is suitable for people of all photographic abilities with an interest in mindfulness and a curiosity about how this can be developed through photography. All you will need is a digital camera, an empty memory card and a fully charged battery.
JUNE FUNDRAISING FROCK SWAP INVITATION
THURSDAY 16TH JUNE. 7.30PM
The Green Room (above SUSSED)
Entry £3.00
Frock Swap 16th June 2016, Porthcawl
Organised by charity Sustainable Wales the June Frock Swap, offers opportunity to reduce, reuse, recycle and refresh wardrobes, have fun and save cash.
Select items that are no longer worn, don’t fit or are not you, but ones you think others will value. Give those clothes or accessories an extended life and swap for others of a similar value. Only good quality items acceptable. Donations welcome in advance.
Refreshments will be available. But bring your own bottle!
1item =1swap, 2 items = 2 swaps etc. Classy items are swopped with others or are worth 2/3 swops of cheaper items.
Our sister project, SUSSED, is also offering a 10% discount on all their new fairly traded clothes or accessories bought by the swappers that night.
For more info check www.sustainablewales.org.uk or tel 01656 783962
“According to researchers, the average household owns a staggering £4,000 worth of clothes, 30 percent of which languishes unworn. Extending the average life of clothes by just three months of active use would lead to a 5-10% reduction in our carbon, water and waste footprints”, commented Director, Margaret Minhinnick.
A date for your diary! At The Green Room (above SUSSED 4/5 James Street, Porthcawl CF36 3BG). All welcome.
Presentation by guest speaker Elen Jones, National Coordinator, Fairtrade Wales.
The evening will include a glass of Fairtrade wine and a buffet.
SUSSED is offering 10% reduction on all fairly traded goods.
Organised by Bridgend Fairtrade Partnership.
Find out more, join us, all are welcome. For more details tel. 01656 783962.
To celebrate this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight social enterprise, SUSSED is offering Fairtrade freebies all fortnight.
Charity, Sustainable Wales are also holding an all-day Feel Good Fairtrade Breakfast and a Big Brew Afternoon Tea on Sat 12th March above SUSSED, 4-5 James Street, Porthcawl.
“Sample tasty tea, delicious coffee or decadent chocolate during the entire fortnight in SUSSED” said new Development Officer, Alexis Kirsten.
“On Sat 12th March, all-day, try our ‘non-greasy spoon’ natural breakfast, morning-coffees and our afternoon teas, offering nutritious fair trade goodies including: mueslis, porridge, homemade breads, jams, muffins, gateaux and cakes, coffees and teas. “
“They are not just good for you, they’re good for others too. It’s the tastiest way to give global farmers your support!” said Margaret Minhinnick, Director of the charity.
“Hard working farmers and labourers in developing countries endure challenging conditions, just so that we can tuck in to these delicious foods every day. Yet, ironically, they are sometimes paid so little that they can’t afford their own next meal. Buying Fairtrade means they’re treated fairly.” continued SUSSED Development Officer, Alexis Kirsten.
(updated: 20 Feb. 2016)
Join the Big Breakfast!
GREEN ROOM CAFÉ (above SUSSED) OPEN FROM 10.30AM SAT 12TH MARCH FOR BREAKFAST, MORNING COFFEE AND AFTERNOON TEAS.
The pop-up’ café, above SUSSED, is part of this year’s UK Fairtrade Challenge. It will be staffed by volunteers, who will be looking forward to serving the public throughout the day.
The theme: Sit down for breakfast, morning coffee or afternoon tea and stand up for farmers. The menu will include local and fairtrade produce and the funds will go towards our charity, Sustainable Wales’ work to support local fair trade activity.
Menu selections offer nutritious breakfasts and decadent afternoon teas. Choices include: natural, organic mueslis, Drambuie laced porridge, super smoothies, hot chocolate, coffees or teas and a selection of luscious homemade cakes and gateaux.
Martin Luther King in a famous speech in 1967, fifty years ago, said “Before you have finished eating your breakfast each morning you have depended upon half the world”. http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/get-involved/current-campaigns/fairtrade-fortnight-2016
“Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, about 795 million people are undernourished globally.” said Sustainable Wales’ Director Margaret Minhinnick.
“Hard working farmers and producers in developing countries endure challenging conditions, just so that we can tuck into these delicious foods every day. Yet, ironically, they are sometimes paid so little that they can’t afford their own next meal. Buying Fairtrade means they’re treated fairly.” said SUSSED Development Officer, Alexis Kirsten.
Fairtrade is best known for providing producers with a minimum price for their product, one which covers what it costs them to grow it, and an additional amount, the Fairtrade Premium, to be invested by the producers as a group, however they see fit.
Samantha, from Ceredigion, is the author of four collections of poetry, the most recent published by Picador.
Both these volumes, Not in These Shoes and Banjo went on to be shortlisted for the Wales ‘book of the year’.
Samantha Wynne Rhydderch’s reading will be followed by an Open Mic, in which local writers are invited to perform.
For the charity, Robert Minhinnick said:
“I remember when Samantha was a young and promising writer. With her recent publications she has proved herself one of the leading Welsh poets. Today her new work is always eagerly anticipated.”
Samantha Wynne Rhydderch’s books will be on sale on the night, and there will be time to question her about her writing career.
Everyone welcome. Entrance £3.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27. 8pm
At The Green Room above SUSSED
HappenStance Press Comes to Porthcawl
Poet and editor of HappenStance press Nell Nelson travels from Fife to Porthcawl to launch two new books by Welsh poets.
'Unleaving' is the first collection of poems by Kristian Evans, a writer and artist, originally from Bridgend, who currently lives among the dunes at Kenfig on the south Wales coast with his wife, two sons and a border collie. A close observer of the expressions of the natural world, and its dialogue with poetic tradition, his work is nonetheless willing to take risks and test our conventions. Even in his prose, there’s poetry, the borderlines blurred and burnished. He is the author of the popular Kenfig Journal.
Stephen Payne’s day job is in academic cognitive science. He is currently Professor of Human-Centric Systems at the University of Bath. He’s always been fascinated by language and lyric, and here, in his first full length collection, 'Pattern Beyond Chance', scientist and poet meet and strike sparks. It’s no surprise to encounter poems that think, and think about thinking. They’re playful, provocative and lyrical, and the poet’s continuous pleasure in sound and pattern is curiously infectious.
Nell said, ""How lucky and lovely it is to have debut publications from twoexcellent Welsh poets at the same time! It's a delight to be launching HappenStance books in Wales -- for the first time, but definitely not the last."
Kristian will also be reading at Ty Carnegie, Bridgend's new art centre, with Clare Potter on the 15th of October and Stephen will be reading in Bath on the 30th of November.
For the Sustainable Wales, Robert Minhinnick said today:
“All Welsh literature lovers should welcome the first publication by Kenfig’s Kristian Evans.
“Here is a new toughly lyrical voice in Wales, aware of the past but sounding a warning about our uncertain future.
“ Kristian Evans uses his knowledge of Welsh and French literatures to create vivid poetry.”
Helena Nelson will speak about both publications, and the two writers give readings
Our popular Green Room poetry event returns:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 8pm
We are organizing an Autumn Frock Swap, offering another chance to update your wardrobe, live more sustainably and save cash.
by Robert Minhinnick, a novel published by Seren Books. With music from Peter Morgan and guest readers.
At ‘Ty Carnegie’ (Arts Hub), Wyndham Street, BRIDGEND, CF31 1EF. FREE ENTRANCE
Sustainable Wales’s ‘Green Room’ performance space has its autumn 2015 programme lined up. More details www.sustainablewales.org.uk
All events usually take place at 5, James St., PORTHCAWL CF36 3BG on the last Friday of the month.
However, on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 7.30pm we move to Ty Carnegie (Old Library) Wyndham Street, Bridgend CF31 1EF, for the launch of Robert Minhinnick’s novel, ‘Limestone Man’ (Seren). Free entrance.
The novel features a main character, Richard Parry, who returns to south Wales after teaching in Australia. He discovers his hometown is now notorious for the suicides of young people.
Parry is a ‘writer who cannot write, a painter who does not paint’. His obsession is Lulu, “an orphan off the street, an aboriginal green child.” Lulu was gone missing in mysterious circumstances.
‘Limestone Man’ is the second novel in Robert Minhinnick’s ‘Sea Holly’ series.
The performance will feature two voices plus space-age keyboards played by Peter Morgan. There will also be three guests at a special ‘Open Mic’ event. ‘Limestone Man’ retails at £9.99. available at SUSSED
More information to follow
8pm, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 sees a special evening of harp playing and Welsh language recitation taking place in SUSTAINABLE WALES’S GREEN ROOM, 5, JAMES ST., PORTHCAWL CF36 3BG
Led by CARYS EVANS, who administers the ‘Porthcawl Cerdd Dant’ (string music) group, the evening promises to be an outstanding musical and literary occasion.
Marine Biologist To Speak At The Green Room, James Street, Porthcawl
Learn About The New Swansea Bay Marine Wildlife Voluntary Code Of Conduct For Sea Users And Help Protect Marine Life In The Bay
MONDAY 27th July: 6.30 - 7: 45pm.
The free workshops are funded by the FLAG, (Fisheries Local Action Group) and will launch the new marine voluntary code for all sea users that has been developed by the Nature Conservation Team at Swansea County Council and Judith Oakley, Marine Biologist (Oakley Intertidal).
The new marine wildlife voluntary code of conduct aims to help people interact safely with marine wildlife and help minimize disturbance to the fantastic sea life present within Swansea Bay.
Passionate marine biologist, Winter Dotto will lead presentations and discussions in the Green Room, above SUSSED, 4/5 James Street, Porthcawl, CF 36 3BG, 27th July, Neath Civic Centre 23rd of July and NSA Afan Employment Academy in Port Talbot 22nd July.
She is currently working for the Swansea Environmental Forum on the Clear Streams Initiative and explains that "The events hope to draw attention to the new voluntary code of conduct for sea users and get people on board. I will also talk about marine recording, and how people can submit their sightings to their Local Authority Biodiversity Unit.”
The code of conduct applies to recreational and commercial sea users across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend counties.
Local marine biologist and author Judith Oakley will also be running sessions in Swansea on 22nd and 23rd July.
For more info: winter@environmentcentre.org.uk
Tel: 01792 480 200
Event Poster click to enlarge.
Poetry & The Environment...
A discussion with readings followed by our popular open mic. Please bring along your own poetry or poetry that inspires you.
Note this event is on THURSDAY not the usual Friday evening for this month.
£3 all welcome, Thursday 25th June 2015 at the Green Room (above SUSSED on James St, Porthcawl CF36 3BG)
SUMMER FROCK SWAP
Sustainable Wales are organizing a summer Frock Swap and another chance to update your wardrobe.
Search your closet for items that you no longer wear, they don’t fit or are not you, but you think others will value. Give those clothes or accessories a second life and swap for others of a similar value.
Be green-friendly, reduce, reuse and recycle, socialise and have fun, whilst refreshing your wardrobe.“ said Co-Organizer Sian Williams.
“As a nation we have a staggering £30 billion worth of clothes stashed within wardrobes that we never wear. Around 30 per cent of clothes bought every year are not worn. 0.4 kg of CO2 is saved for every item of clothing that is re-used rather than bought new, says Director, Margaret Minhinnick.
Bring only good quality clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery. (Donations also welcome in advance)
1item =1swap, 2 items = 2 swaps etc.
Also 10% off SUSSED’s range of new dresses on the night.
Everyone welcome.
Contact telephone: 01656 783962
The poet’s daughter, Rian Evans, editor of Ormond’s ‘Collected Poems’ (Seren) and writer, Robert Minhinnick, will speak about the ‘impossibly positioned’ Tuscan town where this Welsh poet made his home. John Ormond’s poetry will also be performed.
Click title or date for more information...
Steve will be testing some of his ‘Late Love Poems’, due from Cinnamon in 2016, the press that has published his last two books.
Steve has given many readings in Wales, England, USA, France, and Spain, and has broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio London and Radio 4 Cymru – most recently in December 2006 on Radio 3’s ‘The Verb’. He has appeared in a number of anthologies, including the Library of Wales' Poetry 1900-2000, featuring 100 twentieth century Welsh poets writing in English. He is keen to perform his new work more widely. Click here to read a response to a reading he gave for Wenlock Books in Shropshire in April 2007.
Steve spent his childhood on the beaches and cliffs around Trearddur Bay, not knowing that 35 years earlier one Ronald S.Thomas was getting his feet wet in the same pools. At the age of 11, he moved to Amlwch, the origin of al-Chwm in An Elusive State. After reading English at Cambridge at the end of the Sixties, he began a working life engaged with the consequences of, and some solutions to, poverty, inequality and poor health, first as a welfare rights worker in London, later as a researcher and consultant in social and health policy, in the last fifteen years working freelance all over Britain for local and national government, health bodies, and charities; and most recently in campaigning mode. This commitment has often squeezed out the poetry; but the quarrel between landscapes has created a defining tension in his work. He has constantly returned to the scene of his childhood for renewal. After forty years based in London, with his second wife Wendy he will be moving west to Ludlow this year. He was Vice-Chair of the Welsh Academy (English section) at the beginning of the Nineties, and is a Fellow of The Welsh Academy.
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