Author Archives: deansdiva

Sometimes only a poem will do…

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Two very different interviews on Sunday’s show – this is what’s coming first…

Here is balm for the soul, fire for the belly, an arm around the lonely shoulder… a matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss – Stephen Fry

In the years since he originally had the idea of prescribing short, powerful poems for all manner of spiritual ailments, William Sieghart CBE has taken his Poetry Pharmacy around the length and breadth of Britain, into the pages of the Guardian, onto TV and onto BBC Radio 4, honing his prescriptions all the time.

This weekend he’s bringing it to Newark, talking to the Girls Around Town about his latest anthology, The Poetry Pharmacy: Tried-and-True Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind and Soul.

William has had a long career in publishing and the arts and is Tina’s former boss. Although their paths have crossed fleetingly since they last worked together in 1997, she’s looking forward to their first proper catch up in 20 years – not just on Sunday’s show but later in the week too, when he’ll be talking about the book and prescribing poems in St Mary’s Church in Lowdham on Wednesday 22 November.

Tune in or listen online from 10am on Sunday to hear William and Tina in conversation – to find out more about the Poetry Pharmacy event at Lowdham or book tickets, call The Bookcase on 0115 966 4143.

Try a taste of Syria

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If you’ve never sampled the traditional food of Syria, a fund-raising  event at Carriages Café on Thursday 23 November is an ideal opportunity not only to do just that but to support two good causes as well…

Six Syrian families have recently settled in Newark, most of them after spending five years as refugees in Lebanon. Now two of the families have plans to open a catering business in the town and they will be introducing guests to the delicious cuisine of their homeland during the evening, when the families will also be sharing some of their unforgettable stories.

Tickets for A Taste of Syria, which starts at 7.30pm, are £20 each and the proceeds of the evening will be divided between Newark Homestart (who are supporting the women and young children by providing volunteer support) and a charity working on the ground in Syria to help those who are still suffering there and in the refugee camps.

Contact Michelle Hillary on 07818 044788 or Jane Geraghty on 07718 990406 or visit Carriages Café at Newark Castle Station for more information and to buy tickets…

Shopping, schools and summits

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From Newark to Nottingham and beyond this Sunday when guests Louise Osborne, Charlotte Smith and Jackie Wilson join the Girls Around Town in the studio…

If you still have gifts and goodies to buy for Christmas – or if you haven’t even started on that list yet! – Louise and Charlotte will be sharing details of an event in Newark that just might help you out.

Tune in or listen online from 10am, when they’ll be talking to June about the Christmas Fayre the Friends of Newark Academy will be holding at the school from 6pm to 9pm on Friday 17 November.

With around 30 stalls selling jewellery, crafts and other festive treats, there’ll be plenty of things to try and buy. And as FONA will be using proceeds raised at the event to enhance learning and support extracurricular activities for the Academy’s pupils, you’ll be supporting a local good cause too as you shop…

After 11am, it’s Tina’s turn at the microphone when Jackie makes a return visit to the show with news  of some of the World Health Innovation Summit‘s plans for 2018.

First on the agenda is a WHISTalks event focused on the environment, taking place at Carriages Café from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 27 January. Open to anyone interested in discussing the subject, it’s an opportunity to find out how to help make a difference by collaborating, sharing ideas and knowledge and looking at innovative ways forward.

Then on Saturday 12 May, Nottingham Market Square will play host to the city’s first WHIS Summit. Part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Summit will include a mass meditation together with talks, music, workshops and stalls and other activities all on offer during the day.

With one of the world’s first WHISKids Schools scheduled to open in Nottingham next September, Jackie will also be explaining how this new model of schooling aims to provide students and their families with access to an alternative form of education based on best international educational practice.