Looe Library & Community Hub have recruited the super talented Graeme Sandford to fulfil the role of our writer in residence! Graeme will be running a FREE session tomorrow 10-11:30am, a playful workshop inspired by his charming characters the puddle people! The session will be suitable for ages 6-13yrs with 4 spaces still available to book!
Call Looe Library on: 01503 262390 to secure your spot!
We had a chat with Graeme to learn a little more!
Introduce yourself & your background.
Hello, my name is Graeme, and I was of Hampshire, but now I am of Cornwall (my Gt. Grandmother left Cornwall in c.1851 for Hampshire, and I returned in 2017, leaving Hampshire for Cornwall, where I’ve always felt I belonged). I worked in Industry for 40 years or so, then in other, kindlier, trades (lorry-driver, delivery boy, taxi-person), all the while through my life writing, acting, performing, singing, bass-playing, acoustic-comedic songwriting and all-round being a performing person (including efforts as a Noél Coward / Bob (Dylan) Thomas / Singing Nun – and many others).
I have written many books, all of which have many fine words hidden within them.
Can you discuss a personal career highlight/ achievement for you as a writer?
Yes, I can. A highlight for me was when a play that I had written was performed by professional actors as a part of the Salisbury Fringe Festival. Based upon Terry Pratchett’s Hat and Typewriter having a conversation after TP had all-too-soon typed his last, it showed me that I could do a seriously funny thing (or a funnily serious thing).
What inspired you to become our writer in residence?
Ah, now you are asking. I had sought a position of prominence from where I could encourage writers, poets, and performers to follow in my size 11 footsteps. Having been turned down for the position of Bard of Penryn, and not being quite Cornish enough to be Bard of anywhere else in Kernow, I plied my wares in Looe. They saw my worth (after asking no more than a dozen others) and I was the writer just write for the job (if you see what I mean?)
Who would you encourage to visit your upcoming workshop sessions/ what can they expect?
I like to have an easy atmosphere in a writing session, with some element of heads-down writing, but lots of humour and learning in a fun and informative way. I’ve been to many such workshops and always take many things away from them (not just the pencils). The best children’s session that I ran was in a school, and ended up with three classes of year 4/5 children (and teachers and TAs) all reciting Spike Milligan’s ‘Ning-Nang-Ning’ as loudly as possible – such fun.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I have been a part of many, many different and varied writing and poetry groups, and have run competitions, performance evenings, and even have an online presence (be it very tiny).
Winner of poetry slams, short-story competitions, poetry competitions, and with works published in all manner of publications, I must be doing something right when I pop a selection of words together. My books are available to borrow from Looe Library, and to buy in the lovely book shop in West Looe – called the ‘West Looe Bookshop’ run by (the also lovely) Katrina. You can also find my books online, or I have a few rattling around the house if you are desperate.
We can’t wait to see more from Graeme! You can also catch Graeme at Looe Festival of Words on Saturday 4th October, 10-4 at the Hannafore Point Hotel. For more information on this head over to the Looe Festival of Words Facebook page!
