Caldew Press

05/08/2024

You'd be very welcome to visit the Popup Bookshop* which will be in the boathouse at Talkin Tarn from 17th - 23rd August 2024, open 10am - 4pm daily.

Books by Cumbrian authors, poets and artists will be available alongside those from further afield. For further information contact Geoff Smith([email protected]) or Caldew Press ([email protected]). *Cash sales only.

31/05/2024

New Release: 77 Days In My Head - A Mental Health Journey by Citizen F

Citizen Fpoet's 2020 Covid-19 lockdown journal '77 Days In My Head' is a diary and social commentary with poems, photos, paranoia, nightmares and conspiracy.

Discover, through this personal account, how the experience affected this Cumbrian man and his family living in West Cumbria during very unusual times...

Published by Caldew Press in 2024.
RRP £14.00 (plus postage and packing).

To order a copy contact Citizen Fpoet or Caldew Press at: [email protected]
Or visit: https://www.caldewpress.com

29/05/2024

Recent release: Back and Forth, Poems by Tony Hendry

'Back and Forth' is not only a fine collection of beautiful poems, but this volume also presents many other works by Tony Hendry collated together for the first time in celebration of a talented writer, much missed by all who knew him.

The collection contains 90 poems over 150 pages, with illustrations by Hunt Emerson, returning to collaborate after the success of Tony's 2019 collection 'Fresh Air'.

Tony Hendry’s magical words continue to live on.

Published by Caldew Press in 2024.
RRP £10.00 (plus postage and packing).

To order a copy contact Caldew Press at: [email protected]

Or visit: https://www.caldewpress.com

23/03/2024

Kirkgate Lit Fest - this weekend (23rd - 24th March) check out the link for more info about the festival programme!

01/03/2024

The launch of Tony Hendry's book 'Back and Forth' went really well last night. There was a good turnout, several faces from SpeakEasy and many of Tony's family (who had come from all over the country) and friends were there.

The words were moving, funny, meaningful, exquisitely descriptive and powerful. All the readers were great and really brought Tony's words alive; Becca, James, David, Tony's brothers Rob and Chris, cousin and illustrator Hunt, family friend Jane, and aunt Elsa, joined Philip in performing Tony's words with warmth, passion and humour. That special quality that he wove into his poetry really shone out.

It was a highlight to hear Tony's brothers read his work and hear a little of how Hunt approached the illustrations. It was really lovely of Lucy at Bookends Carlisle to host us at Cakes and Ale, and I'm very grateful to her and everyone who read and came along to support the event for making it a very memorable celebration of our friend.

Thanks also to Katie for the photos!

'Back and Forth' is published by Caldew Press and is now available from Bookends RRP £10.

26/07/2023

John Hegley tried out new material for his upcoming Edinburgh Fringe show at Live Theatre Newcastle at a fun-filled gig last night. Caldew Press was on hand to sell copies of A Scarcity of Biscuit. John also liked the collection of rewilding poems and drawings SpeakEasy open mic came up with in collaboration with Lucy and the Cumberland Council green spaces team.

25/07/2023

Caldew Press was at the Brampton Community Centre Open Day on Sunday 23rd July 2023, and alongside Carlisle Haiku (Carlisle In Haiku Form) had a good day meeting all sorts of interesting people including members of Brampton Poets.

05/06/2023

Caldew Press was at the Carlisle Poetry Symposium held at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Trust on Saturday 13th May 2023.

It was wonderful to see and hear from all the talented poets and writers, and to take part in the inspiring workshop before the main event.

Thanks to Andy Hopkins for organising the event, running a brilliant workshop and taking care of the bookstall.

08/03/2023

Tom Speight chats with John Hegley about 'A Scarcity of Biscuit' published by Caldew Press for the latest episode of Cumbria Arts and Culture Network's 'Behind the Scenery' podcast... https://cacn.co.uk/portfolio/episode-9/?fbclid=IwAR2KN-HMb9fvAtGzhXQNzgLaycMRVM_U9efCQXiNT6vZGEjVz77d-KLSIx0

06/03/2023

Really enjoyed hearing poems from 'Into The Wild' read by Nick Robinson at his event at The Yellow Door yesterday. It was an insightful afternoon, exploring the power of the outdoors, the inspiring landscape of the Lake District, Nick's personal connection to it and the ideas behind his poetry. Thanks to Nick, Helen and The Yellow Door for making the event happen! 'Into The Wild' published by Caldew Press is available now, including at Bookends in Carlisle.

02/01/2023

In memoriam: Crysse Morrison

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Crysse Morrison in December 2022. It was my privilege to get to know her a bit during work on the upside down book – two collections in one – 'Dance For Those Who'd Rather Not' and 'What's It Like For You?' co-written with Hazel Stewart (as Live and Lippy), and published by Caldew Press in 2022. It was through Hazel that I got to know Crysse via a Zoom meeting and her numerous correspondence via email. My condolences go to all her family and friends. Crysse was such a talented writer and I came up with a few words in tribute to the woman of words.

Phil Hewitson,
Caldew Press

Woman of Words (A song for Crysse)

You played your part
upon the sacred stage
You were live, you were lippy
You weaved your tales
which by others were heard
Stories spun by the
Lady of language
Woman of words

Did you give a thought that
you’ll live on in pages
in a legacy of syllables
and a legacy of rhyme
Like the wisdom of sages
you leave behind
a for ever feisty word-weaver
conjured up by the mind

You touched the lives of others
with your generosity
Lived your life just the way
you wanted to be
Championed emancipation
and harnessed imagination
Now you’re that free spirit
a spirit set free

We salute you
and the dance you danced
for someone else
And all those questions that you asked
Snippy, cheeky, knowing remarks
that left your smiling lips
And the keys to communicate
right at your fingertips

You played your part
upon the sacred stage
You were live, you were lippy
You weaved your tales
which by others were heard
Stories spun by the
Lady of language
Woman of words

24/12/2022

Here's a little treat – John Hegley and Errant Thieves at last month's Carlisle Folk Experience event performing 'American In Luton'. I hope you enjoy...

John Hegley and Errant Thieves perform 'American In Luton' at Carlisle Folk Experience, held at the RAOB Club, Carlisle on Thursday 24th November 2022.

09/12/2022

On Monday 9th December 2019 Tony Hendry held his book launch for Fresh Air published by Caldew Press at Cakes and Ale in Carlisle. Tony sadly passed away in January 2022, and we held an event to remember him and celebrate his words on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 at The Source Collective. Here's a recording of that special event.

A special event to celebrate Tony Hendry, held at The Source Collective on Wednesday 22nd June 2022.Special thanks to the Hendry family, all of Tony's friend...

25/11/2022

John Hegley and Errant Thieves headlined a wonderful evening of music and spoken word at Carlisle Folk Experience last night. Here's a brilliant rendition of 'I am a Guillemot'.

John Hegley and Errant Thieves perform 'I am a Guillemot' at Carlisle Folk Experience, held at the RAOB Club Carlisle on Thursday 24th November 2022.

23/11/2022

John Hegley spoke to Helen Millican at BBC Radio Cumbria the other day about his upcoming visit to Carlisle for the workshop with Carlisle Writers' Group, the concert with Errant Thieves at Carlisle Folk Experience on Thursday 24th November 2022, and also discussed his recent collection 'A Scarcity of Biscuit' published by Caldew Press. The interview begins around 2 hours 52 minutes in...

Music and a look at life in the county from an arty perspective.

14/07/2022

Thank you to Martyn Halsall, Kelly Davis and Kerry Darbishire, Bookends, Cakes & Ale and everyone who came along on Friday 8th July for the double book launch of 'Visible Music' and 'Glory Days'. It was really wonderful evening of beautiful words, at times moving and powerful, and there was even time for a quick spot of open mic. Both collections are now available from Bookends.