Monday, 30 June 2025

LIKE SWEPT CHIMNEYS... (My poem about the skyline at Coniston Water, Cumbria, 2012...)

 Like Swept Chimneys…

(Near Coniston Water, Cumbria, March 2012…)



Sprouting from summits

Of Lakeland fells,

Occasional sparse trees erupted,

Rather reminiscent of my dad’s chimney-sweeping brush

On dismal days

With fiendish father 

And moody mother,

Who wished to remain uninterrupted…


I would have been dispatched 

To watch for the emission

Of the spiky, tonsured, rattling rod,

Which triggered an exultant rush.

Then, swallowing my trepidation

I watched each screwed pole being meticulously 

detached

And, daring not to speak

As white dust sheets thrashed

Around the billowing, cascading soot,

The filthy bristles reappeared,

Keen, erect and dashing black,

To my reticent and fearful fascination… 


Pete Ray



Distant trees on the Lakeland fells skyline reminded me of my father sweeping the chimney at home when I was a child…

ALCESTER TOWN v SHREWSBURY UP & COMERS... (The West Mercia League Winners' Cup Final PREVIEW...)

 Alcester Town v Shrewsbury Up & Comers…


(The West Mercia League Winners Cup Final PREVIEW…)


A first game of the 2025-26 season for me arrives on Saturday, when I will drive to Ludlow Town’s stadium for the clash between the 2024-25 winners of the ZZOOMM Herefordshire Football League, Alcester Town and Shrewsbury Up & Comers, who won the title in the Salop Leisure Premier Football League last term.  


I saw FC Stratford draw 1-1 at Ludlow Town in March, so it will be a quick return to the stadium for me… 






SUAC enjoyed a fine season in the Salop League, pipping Church Stretton Town by a single point. They won 21 of their 28 matches, losing only three times, whilst amassing a goal-difference of +81. 


Unbeaten at home, winning 12 of 14 games, the Up & Comers also won 9 of their matches on the road.


Leading scorer was Alex Hughes, who has recently left the club. The other two regular scorers were Steven Hole and Shawn Melusi…


ALEX HUGHES...

A GREAT SEASON FOR SUFC...




The Romans cantered to the title in the Herefordshire League, finishing with 77 points, 16 clear of New Dales Vale.


Their goal-difference was +99 but a final day 1-1 draw at home to Kington Town wrecked a 100% record at Stratford Road, Alcester having won the previous 13 matches there.  


The Romans lost only once in the league all season, they conceded only 7 goals at home and their leading goalscorers were Adam Bourn, Adam Garmson and Jake Wicketts…


ADAM BOURNE SCORES v LEDBURY TOWN...

THE ROMANS...


This should be a competitive tie to begin the new season with and there will be match images and a report available HERE  from Sunday morning, 6th July, plus the link to video action with full commentary…

Sunday, 29 June 2025

BESSY'S COVE... (My poem about Bessy's Cove, near Prussia Cove, Cornwall...)

 Bessy’s Cove…



Sea-eagle sprawls

Like a shoebill stork

Flailing after lungfish

Onto the incoming tide.

Harsh-eyed,

Precision-beaked,

The Cove it trawls,

Seeks its prey,

Seeks to spear,

Seeks its plunder,

Seeks to spread fear…


Surfacing seal appears

Like a deep-sea diver

Rising for bearings

On the incoming tide.

Wide-eyed,

Round-headed,

The Cove it nears,

Seeks no foe,

Seeks to feed,

Seeks no danger,

Seeks satiation of need…


Suspended boat angles

Like a stringed toy

Waiting for companions

And the incoming tide.

Cock-eyed,

Halfway-down

The Cove’s slipway dangles,

Seeks a helmsman,

Seeks two oars,

Seeks its freedom, 

Seeks the Cove’s jaws…


Pete Ray





The jutting rocks looked rather like the head of a 

sea-eagle, a seal bobbed in the water and a 

rowing-boat lay on a slope at Bessy’s Cove, Cornwall, 2007…





SEA BAT, PORTH CHAPEL... (My third poem about Porth Chapel beach, Cornwall...)

 Sea Bat, Porth Chapel…



White sea bat rises menacingly,

Wings threatening,

Lifting

And towering

Over retreating surf,

Spewing weed and maritime driftwood,

Like chaff thrown into the wind…


Foaming predator swoops hungrily,

Wingspan massive,

Oppressive,

Aggressive

On passive prey,

Devouring effluent and human flotsam,

Like invaders purge, undisciplined…


Pete Ray



The surf looked like a fantastic, wing-like sea 

creature powering its butterfly-type stroke to slash onto Porth Chapel beach, West Cornwall…







Saturday, 28 June 2025

GOLD ON SAND... (My poem about PORTH CHAPEL beach, Cornwall, April 2010...)

 Gold On Sand…



Shaken sinuously from a silver salver,

Fragmented gold dusted the sun-browned skin, 

Satisfying the eye and blending the soul with joy.

Strewn salaciously from the sultry surf,

Fine shingle sparkled the sun-dried sand,

Gratifying the eye and twisting the heart awry…


Pete Ray



Watching the surf in sunshine at Porth Chapel beach, near Land’s End in April 2010. 





Brilliant…