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End of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan as the Tudor closes its doors

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It's the end of an era for Write Out Loud Wigan with the news that its legendary venue, the Tudor House hotel, has closed its doors following the retirement of owners Russell and Frances Miller. Organiser John Togher had to act swiftly, and Thursday night's regular monthly event, with Ian Whiteley, pictured, as guest performer, went ahead at a replacement venue, The Old Courts in Crawford Street, Wigan. Ian was performing his poems commemorating the 1914-18 war, set to music, from his new CD, with open micers invited to share poems around the theme of war. The start was still 8.30pm - and it was still free. 

A number of top poetry performers, including Louise Fazackerley, Joy France and Laura Taylor, learned their craft in the often raucous but always welcoming atmosphere of the Tudor. In a posting on Facebook Joy France said: "After lurking at the back for a few months I did my first open mic performance. The rest is history, as they say. I didn't realise it but I'd fallen into the home of the most wonderful people around and that my life would be enriched forever. Whilst I'm gutted to hear that the pub has closed I was thrilled to hear that tonight's WW1 'special' is on. I've always stuggled to explain why it's my spiritual poetic home, why it's unique, etc. I usually say, 'You have to go along to find out.' "

 

Background: Warm, irreverent, rude, and the odd hiccup, too 

 


 

◄ 'Keeping hope alive' is theme of Leeds Peace Poetry competition

Ian McMillan leads poets and young footballers in paying tribute to 1914 Christmas truce soldiers ►

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Comments

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Hazel

Sat 15th Nov 2014 14:46

Sad, I did my first open mic there after Joy France had told me about it and invited me down, will miss Tudor. But enjoyed Thursday at The Old Courts...

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Isobel

Fri 14th Nov 2014 17:53

Impossible to express adequately how I feel - though I'm trying very hard. I have such wonderful memories of it - I feel it's where my life started over again - where I cut out all the bad bits, exorcised my angst and moved on with the future. I guess it's like that for lots of people who find the poetry scene - though the Tudor had a magic, I haven't found anywhere else.

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chris yates

Fri 14th Nov 2014 16:57

End of an era we have loved every open mic event and even entered the odd slam now and again.
SpeciAl place filled with X special talented people
we will miss you and the warm welcome that was extended to one all.
Good luck to Russ and Frances X
Jon and Christine

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John Coopey

Thu 13th Nov 2014 22:23

Sad to hear. I called a few times when I had been working over that way. (I felt the need to tell everyone that as I was dressed in a suit and tie while everyone else was dressed by British Heart Foundation).
I met many faces whom I otherwise knew only from WOL blogs. Always an enjoyable experience.

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Julian (Admin)

Thu 13th Nov 2014 17:45

What a sad, sad day. The Tudor has been the most iconic venue for Write Out Loud for almost ten years or so, at least since the Howcroft in Bolton chucked us out. I know that Joy is not alone in thinking this way, several others started their poetic careering about in Wigan. And we've had some cracking nights and brilliant slams too. The one when Fatima al Matar came all the way from Coventry to read her lyrical poem, and won, sticks in my mind. The only time a Muslim woman wearing the veil has won a Wigan slam. But so many nights really. On some, I counted over 80 people sitting, crowding around the door and the now-curtained area to see the show. And we must not forget that it was thanks to Gillian Forester that we got it going really.
Gillian funded a Write Out Loud night at The Tudor as part of the Wigan Words Festival. after its success I suggested to her that we should run the thing monthly throughout the year, and she supported that. The rest is mystery. I wish Russ and Frances the very best, and I congratulate John on having found an alternative venue with such alacrity. Here's to the next ten years, or whatever it is.

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Julian (Admin)

Thu 13th Nov 2014 17:42

pasted from Facebook by Joy France
If I hadn't gone to the Write Out Loud open mic night at the Tudor in Wigan run by John Togher, almost 4 years ago, then poetry would have been a "one off thing" that I tried once to scare myself ( Louise Fazackerley '. had somehow got me to write a poem and perform it at Wigan The Soap Opera at the museum of Wigan Life!)
Instead, cos Jon Darby and Christine kept telling me about the Tudor, I went along. After lurking at the back for a few months I did my 1st Open Mic performance. The rest is history as they say! I didn't realise it but I'd fallen into the home of the most wonderful people around and that my life would be enriched forever!
Whilst I'm gutted to hear that the pub has closed i was thrilled to hear that tonight's WW1 "special" is on ---- in a very special venue. (below)
The "bear pit" poetry will move onward and upwards cos the PEOPLE are special (in many meanings of the word!).
I've always stuggled to explain WHY it's my spiritual poetic home, why it's unique etc. I usually say "You have to go along to find out"
I can't go tonight, but YOU can. It will be a different night cos of the theme and the change of venue but you'll get a warm welcome and quality poetry, probably with more than a dash of eccentricity and character!!!!

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Laura Taylor

Thu 13th Nov 2014 16:09

Awww - I am totally gutted. I haven't been able to afford the open mic nights for such a long time, but always make the Christmas night - and now it won't be there. No more bear-pit-special-brilliant-atmosphere.

The second time I ever performed was on that stage. I turned around in slow-motion, blinded by the lights, in total shock and panic, and couldn't bring myself to speak for a good minute. Then blew into the mic (I have no idea why - I think I'd seen people do it on the telly), drew a deep breath, and launched into 4 years of hurling myself round on stages. Met so many special people in there, real tribe, so many great bands, dancing til dawn, gabbing and smoking in the beer garden with all manner of deviants and misfits.

One of my favourite poetry moments was performing my Ohrwurm poem, at a crimbo bash. I had just delivered the line about Hawaii Five O, and the entire room launched into the tune, completely out of the blue, and kept it going :D :D de-de-de-de-der-derrrrrrr-de-de-de-de-derrrrrr :D :D

Awwww. End of an era. RIP The Tudor - I really hope someone like Russ comes along and keeps the fire burning.

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Dave Bradley

Thu 13th Nov 2014 15:55

So sad, and so many memories! But looking forward to tonight.

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