2015 round-up

Yet another (quick) round-up of 2015! I intended to do one earlier, but the review-a-thon I undertook in December sapped most of my spare time (no regrets though). I just wanted to share a couple of things that happened which I’m grateful for:Iinterviewed Raymond Cauchetier,photographer of the Nouvelle Vague for the British Journal of Photography. It was a real privilege to meet him and a joy.I sailed around theNorthern Islesfor the whole of August, resulting in poetry & friendships.The Saboteur Awards, created with funding from Arts Council England were bigger and better this year – I was really moved byits success.Two festivals stood out for me this year:StAnzahosted the final performance ofThe Shipwrecked House, whileCheltenham Poetry Festivalgave a warm welcome toOther Countries, as well as my co-editor Gareth Prior and I.I taught two rewarding online courses for the Poetry School, one on the sea, the other on astronomy.Edited and published two gorgeous pamphlets by Susie Campbell and JT Welsch.Performed in all sorts of interesting places, some favourites include Oxford's Mathematical Institute, Liverpool's Storm and the Golden Sky, Long Poem Magazine's launch at the Barbican, and Southampton's SO:TO Speak Festival.I began last year performing The Shipwrecked House atthe Oxford Playhouse. This year starts with a new adventure, also funded by Arts Council England: I’m off to South Africa inless than a week’s time!