Tag: clarsach

‘Salt & Soil’ Debut Poetry Booklet

By Rita Bradd

 

 

I was so thrilled to have my East Lothian Launch of ‘Salt & Soil’ on 26 October 2017 in Hecla Gallery, Cockenzie House & Gardens, Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie.  Over the last several years I’ve held events there, and attended a few too.  I love the environment, there is so much to see with frequently changing exhibitions and craft items in the shop, and the folk that run it are friendly, welcoming and very helpful.  Yvonne Murphy is involved with the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry which inspired the poem ‘Diaspora’ in the booklet.  I brought 3 panels of the Diaspora Tapestry back from Adelaide when I went back there in May 2014 for clipper ship City of Adelaide‘s 150th birthday party. (see Category ‘City of Adelaide’ on my website.)

L-R Trevor Powell, former Chief of Port Adelaide Caledonian Society, Rosemary McKay who organised the stitchers around Adelaide, me, Hon. Piper for City of Adelaide, Des Ross, Commander of Clan Ross in Australia.

The room was packed to capacity for the launch.  Some friends were there, as well as with new faces.  I was already on my second print run, having sold most, and outsourced the remainder of the first batch.

This beautiful handcrafted desk later became my signing table.

I took along my clarsach and played my composition ‘City of Adelaide : Farewell to Scotland’ to start off the evening.  I ended with accompanying myself on ‘The Herrin Trail’.

 

Edinburgh and Glasgow launches will be announced in the near future.

 

Book Week Scotland 2015

By Rita Bradd

screenshot-2016-09-20-16-22-42Hannah Lavery, Creative Director of Coastword, invited me to be part of ‘Journeys with Poets’ during Book Week Scotland 2015 which ran from 23-29 November.  Recently appointed BBC Scotland’s first Poet-in-Residence Rachel McCrum cast us under a spell of performance poetry, whilst singer/songwriter Kirsty Law delighted us with a capella ballads, and songs accompanying herself on keyboard.  I brought along my clarsach, and read a few of my sea -related poems.

 

In the second half I spoke of my voyage on a heavy-lift ship with the oldest surviving clipper ship City of Adelaide/Carrick as cargo ship from Rotterdam to Adelaide, South Australia over the winter of 2013/14.  We had a delightful audience in the cosy environment in the Library in Bleachingfield Centre, Dunbar, with refreshments and warm hospitality provided by Hannah.

 

It was a grand night, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and a fantastic way to put Winter’s chill on the back burner.