Word on the Water - an afternoon of poetry and music

The London Bookbarge, Word on the Water has had a recent makeover and is now a venue as well as a bookshop. It is there that we invite you for a Sunday summer afternoon of poetry and music on the Regent's Canal Towpath.
This is a Sunday afternoon like no other, an opportunity to get together with friends and hear some post pandemic poetry from a NHS nurse, a person who was at the forefront of the battle against Covid 19, while the rest of us were applauding on Thursdays. But what happened after the applause?

You will have a chance to hear live jazz from saxophonist Henry Knudsen and to meet the author Andrew Ridgway, in a beautiful setting inside the world famous bookshop on Granary Square near King's Cross station.

Andrew will read from the book After the Applause and will be answering questions related to the inspiration and motivation to publish this, his first book of poetry. And here is a flavour of his poetry which you can also hear on the podcast Behind the Rhymes on Anchor, Spotify, Apple and Google podcasts:

AFTER THE APPLAUSE

Back from the war
The non war
But I’m still a veteran
You look down to the floor

I Served my country
My Sacrifice was given
Which you didn’t acknowledge
And you’re not forgiven

The world looks strange
Through the same eyes
So many finals
So many Silent goodbyes

There’s No more rainbows
Amongst the blue skies
There’s no more shown gratitude
Seems Everyone has Reached their prize

But everything changed for me
In such a short time
But not to be seen
Is the largest of crimes

About the author:
Once upon a time Andrew Ridgway, who was born in 1973 wanted to be a writer. But life had other ideas, and so for over 22 years he has worked as a theater nurse. In his first published book, which collects together his humanistic themed poetry Andrew is processing difficult events in his life. These include recent experiences being re-deployed to his hospital’s intensive care unit during the Covid 19 pandemic. He is currently working on a second book of poetry based on love and relationships.

We look forward to seeing you at Word on the Water before 2:30pm to mingle and say hello and for a prompt start at 3pm for the reading and the live music.
As it is a tradition with the London European Club after the event we will go for drinks and a catch up nearby.