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Permalink Reply by Sam Hoggarth on December 10, 2013 at 17:48

Great turn out! Thanks to everyone who made it possible!

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca W on December 11, 2013 at 15:26

It was so nice! A really excellent event - well done to those who organised it. (Although I did feel out of place as seemingly the only person there without a baby! :)) 

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Permalink Reply by Richard McKeever on December 14, 2013 at 19:48

Many thanks to Katherine Gallagher who has forwarded the full text of her delightful poem - with permission to republish it on this website. You can find out more about Katherine's Poetry, her publications and workshops at her website: www.katherine-gallagher.com

 

A Christmas Lights Poem for Myddleton Road ...

Myddleton Road, Myddleton Road,
you can see it even from space.
And Myddleton Road is going places,
not into space, but ...

                            You turn into the Road,
take in the Community Garden on the left,
admire the striking butterfly-ceramic, the trees
and shrubs; pause, listen to the birds ...

This park is special, even in winter and autumn,
but in spring and summer it comes into its own –
longer days, blossoms, birdsong, children and
adults playing games, face-painting, gardening,
taking a break with a book.

Meanwhile, we can enjoy our outdoor gym,
with its view of the river, another place
to go – a gym to get you fit, slim. Or you
can take a trip to 128 for some yoga and salsa.

Everyone has their Myddleton Road ...

My Myddleton Road is a long river
that draws in other rivers:
first, the New River that runs through
Bowes Park up to the Lea Valley;

second, the rivers of residents and visitors
who come to The Step, our newest hub, with its chains
of revellers wanting to hear guests or relax with a drink:
or you can shop your way up to Mum’s Lounge,
another place to go.

Then there are the rivers of residents and visitors
who come to look and buy at the Myddleton Street Market,
(next one, next week) with stalls and stands that are filled
with shopping thrills – eats and goodies galore.

Plus we have the shops here every day – the Red Sea,
Ayta Store, Elite, Greek City, Londis Lotto shop, Imperial Tours,
all with their allure for Myddleton Road, a street
that looks leaner these days but has still got a dry cleaner’s
to help you look spick for a trip to the Step, Mum’s Lounge or Vrisaki –
for events to draw in people of all ages
like the other coffee, pizza and sandwich shops around the place.

My Myddleton Road is also a conservation street – a fine river looking back, a story of people from the days before cars at the turn of the century, the 20th, when shops like George Moore’s did good business and when the traffic was slower. Myddleton Road was really a goer then ... a special street with everything from a bakery to a post-office to a cinema. Tonight there’s a new moon to go with the lights ...
Merry Christmas!

©2013 Katherine Gallagher
8th December, 2013

 

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