Welcome to our reading, writing, and musings page, where we celebrate the beauty of language, the power of storytelling, and the joy of creative expression. Here, we explore the many facets of the written word, from the art of storytelling to the craft of writing, and the myriad ways in which literature can inspire, inform, and transform our lives.

Through a variety of mediums, including essays, poetry, book reviews, and personal reflections, we aim to create a community that values the written word and embraces the power of self-expression. Whether you're an avid reader, a seasoned writer, or simply someone who enjoys the beauty of language, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and exploration.

To Reread or not...

Rereading books is a bit like opening a tin you forgot was at the back of the cupboard. Sometimes it is still delicious. Sometimes it hisses when you lift the lid and you question every life choice that brought you to this moment. Over the years I have gone back to plenty of novels I […]

2026 - A Retrospective

Well, the curtain is finally falling on 2026, and 2027 is hovering in the wings, clearing its throat and looking important. It hardly seems twelve months since we were holding our meetings in the frozen foods aisle of a retired supermarket, huddled between a defrosted chest freezer and a sign that still claimed “Peas 3 […]

Hoofy McHoofface

“Hi. I’m Bond. James Bond.” No, of course I’m not. I’m a liar. I lie constantly. But when you’re a reindeer, truth is a flexible thing, like frozen grass or the concept of personal dignity. Every winter I get given a new name anyway, so I might as well be James Bond this time. It […]

Pebbles

We pushed on through the thick undergrowth, our boots snagging on roots and thorny stems. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and fading leaves. Yellowing fragments drifted down through slanted shafts of light, spinning lazily before coming to rest on the forest floor. It felt as though the whole wood was […]

Panic

The alarm went off at seven, shrill and merciless. I slammed my hand down on the clock, but the sound had already worked its way into my skull. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, where a spider had spun a little web in the corner. The September light squeezed through the curtains, sharp and […]

It's Our Country Too

They march with banners, fists held highBut not for peace, not for the skyThey shout of borders, walls and blameWhile neighbours hang their heads in shame The streets once filled with welcome signsNow echo fear between the linesBut this is Britain, land of graceNot just one colour, not one face So rise up, every creed, […]

It's Our Right To Challenge Authority

There’s something deeply satisfying about challenging authority. It’s like sneaking the last biscuit from the tin: you know you shouldn’t, but oh, the taste of victory. Authority is forever telling us what to wear, where to stand, and why our tax return is late. Surely it’s our sacred duty to occasionally reply, “Sorry, but that’s […]

Misadventures of a Wall Mounted Bike

Today’s a grey day. Not your average “might rain later” grey either—no, this is the kind of grey that makes wallpaper look exciting. The clouds have come in for a proper cuddle with the valley, draping themselves across the hills like a damp duvet. Unfortunately, not the toasty kind from a John Lewis catalogue. More […]

The Best Years of Our Lives?

We’re always told that childhood is the best time of our lives. Usually by people who’ve forgotten the horrors of lukewarm school milk and itchy jumpers. But looking back over fifty years, from the comforting safety of elasticated waistbands and early bedtimes, it does seem that way. Childhood memories soften over time—like weathered pottery shards […]

Return to the Madhouse

I suppose it all began a few months ago, when the first message pinged into my life like a particularly smug pigeon flying through an open window. Up until then, my life had been the very definition of uneventful — a lukewarm soup of routine, served daily with a side of quiet invisibility. At school, […]

A Tight Corner

The moment the icy black water swallowed me, it was like being punched in the chest by a ghost—cold, unseen, unforgiving. My lungs seized and I gasped, but instead of air, I dragged in a mouthful of brine. It burned going down, bitter and sharp like rusted nails. I thrashed instinctively, arms flailing in the […]

Sand Sand Everywhere

Sand. Miles of the stuff, stretching off like it was trying to sneak into the next country undetected. A never-ending beige blanket, featureless as a budget hotel wall, and about as inviting. The air? Hotter than a jalapeño in a sauna. Every drop of moisture in my body seemed to be forming an escape committee, […]

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Latest Books Reviews

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