Writing on the Wall

from sea to sea - renga along Hadrian's Wall

This was a series of renga workshops by Alec Finlay.

A total of 8 renga were held. Each renga was led by a master poet and was an opportunity for a group of people to collectively contribute to making a renga poem.

Writing on the Wall was featured on Open Country on Radio 4, where Richard Uridge interviewed Alec Finlay and Steve Chettle at the Sandysike renga.

There is a very good written introduction included on the website. The connection happened as a result of Cloud Nine – The Troubadours Tour being featured in The Guardian. Open Country also covered the Vindolanda Tablets, which has extended national media coverage on Hadrian’s Wall for both its contemporary and historical facets.

The rengas took place at the following locations:

Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields Wednesday 3rd September Master Poet - Bill Herbert. more images read the poem read the writers report
Walbottle Campus Friday 5th September (school only event) Master Poet - Ken Cockburn more images read the poem read the writers report
Housesteads Roman Fort Sunday 7th September Master Poet - Gerry Loose more images read the poem read the writers report
St Oswald's Church, Heavenfield Tuesday 9th September Master Poet - Linda France. more images read the poem read the writers report

The 2004 renga took place at the following locations:

Sandysike Farmhouse, Walton Monday 6th September Master Poet - Subhadassi more images read the poem read poets report
Beaumont Parish Hall, Kirkandrews on Eden Wednesday 8th September Master Poet - Jacob Polley more images read the poem read poets report
Bowness on Solway Friday 10th September Master Poet - Martin Lucas more images read the poem
Birdoswald Roman Fort Sunday 12th September Master Poet - David J Platt more images read the poem read poets report

images by Morvern Gregor and Steve Chettle