NORTH EAST WRITING

ROKER ROAR with Sunderland poet Ronnie James

/ Alikivi

Ronnie is in his mid 40s and was educated at Monkwearmouth school. He worked as a mental health therapist for 20 years.

“After leaving my professional life behind I decided to focus on myself and had some counselling and in the sessions found myself writing about the past.”

When he was young Ronnie had a traumatic experience where two of his friends were murdered.

“Talking about the horrendous murders that took place and the lads I knew hasn’t been easy to revisit. But the truth never is. It naturally pushed me towards writing.”  

“Also, in my youth I made a million bad decisions which resulted in a little holiday in the old mental health unit Cherry Knowles in Ryhope. This was also inspiration behind my writing.”

Earlier this year Ronnie met up with a couple of friends who have been supportive of his work. Two examples are added below. He is now looking to get some of his poems and a short story published.

“My friend has helped a lot with telling my story and I’ve really taken to poetry and bending words, its great fun.”

“This has all started to come together the last few months, I’ve got a couple of great editors working on the short story. The poems haven’t been edited yet.”

“We’ve had some really good feedback but if I’m honest, I think the story was born in Sunderland and I would like it continue to have a North East connection.”

What are your hopes for the work when it is published?

“I’m hoping the overall work of the two books is a positive message. Even when you think you are at rock bottom, believe it or not you can bounce back.” 

Alikivi    June 2024

This evening by Ronnie James

I wonder the meaning.

As I’m cleaning.

Am I right in believing.

This evening.

Isn’t for thieving.

Its for believing. 

My mate knows the meaning of this evening.

Talking goods times and current achievements

Its not for screaming or disbelieving.

Its time for escaping the machining.

And giving the evening a meaning

Mad Matty by Ronnie James

He resided in the bed next to me.

Long jet black crazy curly hair. As if he’d been electrocuted. God knows why he was there we never spoke. Apparently, I heard some horrible violence some staff I heard saying.

He was drugged to the point he couldn’t talk just laugh and giggle. He needed constant attention from staff. 

He would sleep under my bed at night.

I’d waken to hear a giggle. I’d look to my left and his bed would be empty. Bastards under my bed. I looked under upside down there he is. Giggling laughing, insanity, crazy eyes, evil. This happened a few times.

I went from trying to be his mate to him hissing like a wild cat at me under my bed to me completely exploding with anger to which either situation me being restrained by 3 or 4 men and Matty getting carted off to where ever.

After a few times of that and other situations 1 day he never came back. Apparently, he hung himself. He never got out the asylum.

REIVER READS – with Hexham author, historian & book dealer Robb Turnbull

/ Alikivi / 1 Comment

57 year old Robb Turnbull read history at Ruskin College Oxford and Northumbria University. He is author of two books ‘Left for the Rising Sun – Right For Swan Hunter’, also, the follow up biography of Noah Ablett, ‘Climbing Mount Sinai’.

‘I’ve previously written for TLS, BBC History Magazine, Medieval History, Jacobin, The Morning Star, Medieval Living; and have just written a book aimed at teenagers and young people on the bloody history of the 14 C Scottish Borders – ‘Flight of the Frescobaldi’ will be published later this year” said Hexham born Robb.

“I still live there along with my wife Kim, who is part of Reiver Reads.”

What is Reiver Reads and what are its main aims?

‘Reiver Reads is a radical and socialist bookshop based in Carlisle’s historic Victorian Market Hall. The shop was opened by Kim and I in July 2023. Our aim is to provide a space for discussion and debate in a friendly and welcoming environment, and to act as a counterweight to the advance of the far right who are rapidly gaining ground in Carlisle.’

‘As the parents of an openly gay child, Kim and I are acutely aware of the rising tide of hostility directed at anyone who may appear different, and so Reiver Reads if it is about anything, is about education to counter that prejudice. As a result, we have recently teamed up with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and will shortly be selling their merchandise.’

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was attacked by a gang of boys in 2007 for being different. Link to full story and website >>>  The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

My house is full of books, have read since I was a kid and still go to the library. Are people like me a dying breed?

‘You raise an interesting point. I would say the majority of our customers are in the 40 plus age bracket which suggests that children and young people are not reading. I think it’s more nuanced than this. I was in Newcastle yesterday with our two year old grandson and the children’s section in Waterstones was busy.’

Regarding future plans we are hoping to start a book delivery service around Carlisle for those with limited mobility. The idea came via a good friend of ours who struggles to walk. It still needs work, but the idea is there.

‘As regards our First Saturday Talks, we are looking to increase our range of speakers, and subjects. I would love it if we could have Dr Janina Ramirez for example.’ 

For more information on Reiver Reads contact the Facebook page.

More reading from Robb Turnbull:  

‘Left for the Rising Sun- Right For Swan Hunter’ – The Plebs League in the North East of England 1908-1926 (Five Leaves Press, Nottingham 2014).

‘Climbing Mount Sinai’ biography of Noah Ablett 1883-1935, (Socialist History Society 2017)

Alikivi   June 2026

WALKING MY STREETS – New Poetry and Prose collection from Jarrow born Tom Kelly.

/ Alikivi

Tom Kelly is a short story writer, playwright and lyricist now living further up the Tyne in Blaydon. He’s written a number of musicals with the late John Miles that have been produced by The Customs House, South Shields, including the work of Tyne Dock born author Catherine Cookson.

‘Tom & Catherine had its premier at South Shields Customs House, it was really exciting. All the team were really nervous on the opening night but when the overture began, we all felt it was going to be a success. And it was. It had a ‘sold out’ run. A measure of its success was that me mam wanted to go every night! And she was not a theatre-goer. She loved ‘Tom & Catherine.’

“The play was first produced in 1999, and again 2001. In 2006 there was an outdoor performance at Bents Park, South Shields in which Jade Thirlwall (Little Mix) appeared, and most recently in 2019” said Tom.

His two football plays I Left My Heart in Roker Park (1997 & 98, 2004 & 2014) and Bobby Robson Saved My Life (2019) toured the North East and were well received by audiences and critics alike.  

“I Left My Heart in Roker Park’ is a one-man play that looks at the life and football times of an avid Sunderland supporter. As more than one have said of the play, ‘it makes you laugh and cry” said Sunderland fan Tom.

His new book ‘Walking My Streets’ is his fourteenth and thirteenth published by Red Squirrel Press. Tom read at the Lit & Phil, Westgate Road, Newcastle, Cullercoats Library and The Word in South Shields to promote the book.

“I’ve already read at a number of venues and thankfully it’s gone down very well. As it says on the books cover, ‘Walking My Streets’ explores in prose and poems Kelly’s life and the changing face of his native north-east of England’.

Walking My Streets is available from Red Squirrel Press.

Contact the official website >

https://www.redsquirrelpress.com/poetry?Author=Tom%2520Kelly

Alikivi   June 2024