Jonathan Baldock’s exhibition at @arnolfiniarts.bsky.social was like a fever dream: intense and weird. I loved it.
Philli Milne
@phillimilne.bsky.social
Arts Council England, South West. In Bristol, probably reading a book. Views all mine!
A weekend in Nottingham: Overmono at Boiler Room, comics at Page 45…and the cricket / reading my book for several hours in the sun. Covered a lot. ☀️
The Cure in Cardiff. What a night. The 36c heat and mild sunstroke was worth it. Particularly pleased they played Hot Hot Hot!!!. Oh, Robert 🥹
Yes!!! This is so great. Celebrating collectivism through book festivals. They’re an antidote. (As are raves, let’s keep doing both). www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Writers’ festivals are the new raves – and as a born-again book reader I couldn’t be happier about the upsurge in collectivism | Clarke Gayford
From local book clubs to group sessions with authors, what’s driving people back to wood pulp and ink? I have a few ideas
theguardian.com
And then on to the Irish Consulate in London this evening for the launch of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The programme is packed with so much good stuff. I love a lit fest. Looking forward to my visit this summer. 📚
Special night was had at @bookhaus.bsky.social interviewing the marvellous Claire Fuller about her latest book, Hunger and Thirst. A completely terrifying book by a completely delightful writer! 🪰
Very excited to be interviewing Claire Fuller at @bookhaus.bsky.social in Bristol for the launch of her new novel, Hunger and Thirst. Unsurprisingly, it’s another banger of a book. 💥
No longer matching my book to my location…reading Taiwan Travelogue in the Somerset countryside. Colonialism, food writing, language, identity, travel…it’s wonderful 🇹🇼
One of my favourite things about living in South Bristol is Upfest. Chatted to Andy Council as he was working near my house 🎨
Tricky at Bristol Beacon last night was…an interesting experience…
Translated By, Bristol hosted an event with the Booker International shortlisted authors and translators, and it was a very good reminder of why literature in translation is so vital. As well as a reminder that I am incapable of resisting buying books.
Two excellent bookish things happened this week: 1) Saw Anthony Joseph read from his latest poetry collection, Haunting the Black Air, as part of a Literature Works programme and it was mesmerising. 2) My copy of Groovy, Laidback & Nasty arrived. A love letter to Sheffield’s music scene 🥹
Busy week: 📖 Catching up with @jonlock.com and Nich, creators of our new fave, Tiny Hercules. 🖼️ Visit to GAS Project’s brilliant Meanwhile in Gloucester and Kelly O’Brien’s exhibition ‘No Rest For The Wicked”. 🎭 BOV’s Kiss of the Spider Woman. The costumes!! @artscouncilengland.bsky.social
A weekend in Plymouth: WNO’s The Flying Dutchman and Play Opera Live ✅ The Box for Beryl Cook and a woolly mammoth ✅
My ears are still ringing after seeing Chalk last night. 🤌
Had a lovely time today interviewing my wonderful colleague and friend @lynnemtaylorwriter.bsky.social about her addictive book Death in Valletta. 🇲🇹
This was so good! Poetry about class, race, gentrification, cats and the Sugababes.
Lyra - Bristol Poetry Festival@lyrafest.com · 4mo ago💚 Working Class Poetics 💚 Date: Saturday 18th April 2026 Venue: St George's Bristol Time: 14:30 Join Karen McCarthy Woolf, Matthew Rice, and John McCullough for an afternoon of poetry exploring class, labour and the forces that shape working lives. www.lyrafest.com#e150115
Fantastic news for the south west. Excited to see the difference this investment will make to these organisations, including TwoCan Theatre who continue to make waves in inclusive art 🎭
Phil Gibby@philgibby.bsky.social · 4mo agoProud of today's announcement that we'll invest more than £20 million into the south west's cultural infrastructure on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, including flagship multi-million pound investments into Theatre Royal Plymouth, Wiltshire Creative and Bristol Museums. (1/5)
Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia. Astonishingly beautiful 🇲🇰
Tirana is a cool spot. Photo taken at the Bunk’Art museum. 🇦🇱
This was a really good panel about indie poetry presses. Loads to think about, especially the role poetry can play in helping us tackle low literacy rates amongst young people. 📖
Today we’ve published our Response to the Independent Review of Arts Council England. It sets out the actions we’ll take to address your feedback and the recommendations outlined in the Review. Read our full Response 👇 https://bit.ly/4rZ6Zt0
