Poetry brings Lust and Love to town
LOVE and Lust in Bury and Rochdale is a new poetry collection by Chris Bainbridge and Eve Nortley, recently launched at Rochdale Touchstones.
I caught up with Chris and Eve to find out more about them and their collaboration.
Chris described Love and Lust as ‘adults-only poetry, ranging from romance, sweethearts and flowers to the more risqué’.
Chris’ performance at the 2016 Rochdale Literature and Arts Festival Fringe Writers Showcase was one of the highlights, as he delivered a combination of his own work alongside poems written by his stroke patients.
Chris outlined his journey towards this publication, saying: “My working life has been spent mainly in health and social care services.
“I have had stints as a factory labourer, disc jockey, customs officer, ambulance driver and, for one night only, roadie for rock icons Motorhead.
“I currently work for the Stroke Association, based in Rochdale.
“I have spoken at numerous events, including two national demonstrations for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), compered the popular Raise the Roof music festival in 2014 and have been the only non-music act to perform at the GlastonBURY festival in my home town for the past five years.
“I have recently facilitated writing groups with stroke survivors and gave a presentation of the poetry at the 2016 conference for World Stroke Day at Fairfield Hospital and Rochdale Festival Fringe.
Eve is a Bury/Boltonbased writer and activist who, while born in Birmingham, has lived all over the UK.
She is a relative newcomer to the north west arts scene, although, like Chris, she has been writing since her teens.
She said: “My working life has also been spent in public services - the NHS, local government and latterly universities.
“I have had stints as a waitress, barmaid, carpet fitter’s apprentice, builder’s mate and gymnastics coach and currently teach and lecture. I am also the regional representative for campaign organisation Global Justice Now.
“I have an array of academic publications to my name, have appeared in science-based television documentaries and had my writing published by a number of organisations, including British Mensa.
“I have a passion for Goth rock, skiffle and country and western music and sing in a folk-based duo called Eve of Destruction.
Eve’s next book, Geek Speak, is due out in April.
Chris’ first book, The Bride Wore Blue, was published in December.
Love and Lust in Bury and Rochdale is out now.