Byron Vincent had missed two nights' sleep when he took the mic at the Bath Hip Yak Shack but it suited him: his headline spot was the supernova in a starry night of terrific guest performers, and an excellent Slam rightfully won (in my view, but then I was one of the judges) by Robbie Vane.

Frome's performance writing team Stagewrite took over Merlin theatre stage tonight with monologues inspired by A Postcard from... Fourteen local writers took us around the world, from past to future: funny or sad, memory or fantasy, every story had authenticity and charm. Huge congratulations to Alan Overton, Linda Perry, Beverly Jones, Rosie Jackson, Frances Liardet, Des Harris, Niamh Ferguson and her reader Maddy Herbert, Howard Vause, Karl Bevis, Alison Clink, Brenda Bannister, Rosie Finngen, and Jill Miller - and extra thanks to Howard for fabulous visuals.

Another exciting event coming soon: Frome Poetry cafe is On the road again... on Wednesday April 11th - metaphorically speaking of course, we'll be at the Garden Cafe as usual - with Mo Robinson sharing his edgy lyrical ballads inspired by real life stories spanning Ireland in the Troubles to contemporary California. Plenty of poetry too, with Paul Tobin and the usual popular open mic session.
Still on things poetic, I've just heard that my poem Previously Loved was Commended in the Lumen/Camden poetry competition run by Ward Wood for the London Homeless Shelters project. The contest was judged by Carol Ann Duffy & raised over £2000 which is great for the homeless and gratifying for me as it means selection from more than 800 entries. The winner was Bob Cooper, who's a proper published poet and can even write a neat sonnet to wheelie bins - respect!

And finally: Alma Tavern spring programme now ready to publish, and how chuffed am I to see my play Mascara in the brochure... Rehearsals starting early May, can't wait.