Martyn Richards reminisces: The Umbrella Club

THE UMBRELLA CLUB

by Martyn Richards

Submitted 15th February 2006

THE UMBRELLA CLUB

Sharing Our Creative Arts: Reminiscences & club news from Martyn Richards
Working Tom poem by Martyn Richards

SHARING OUR CREATIVE ARTS

"Standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before", may apply to scientists, if Walton is to be believed, but is doubtfully applied to writers. None of them follow their predecessors, being too busy at expressing themselves.

Occasionally, however, we become involved in something which, for a short period, suggests to us that we are following in hallowed footsteps.

Twelve years ago, after seeing a notice in an artists' cafe', I was persuaded to a meeting of poets. It was lead by the poet Peter Asquith. His encouragement of my works helped me to join the Poetry Circle of Coventry Umbrella Arts Club.

Once a thousand strong, Coventry Umbrella Club had become a shadow of its former glories. It had slimmed down to fewer than fifty members. My wife and I are still members of the club. Its various activities now operate through the home of its Secretary.

The Umbrella Club was opened in November 1955 by Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan. The trio were then presenting their "Goon Show" at the Coventry "Hippodrome" Theatre, now demolished.

Early magazines of the club contained entries from Coventry poet Philip Larkin and city novellist Susan Hill. This early heritage, however, has only recently re-emerged due to the reminiscing leading to the celebration of the club's Golden Jubilee in November 2005.

Coventry's Heaventree Press, with whom club and members had established published links, arranged an hour-long recording session for Umbrella Poets. This took place at the re-emerging BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire Station. Seven poets read 23 poems during the lunch-time of the 11th August 2005.

Two of the poems were played from the tape by BBC CWR at 7.36 and 7.38 pm on the 12th September 2005. This was during an interview with the station's "poet laureate".

I was spurred to suggest that all of these poems be assembled into our own book - "UNDER The UMBRELLA" - in time for our 50th Anniversary.

Hard work produced a limited print of these broadcast poems in time for our Golden Jubilee. It quickly sold out.

I was thirteen when the Umbrella Club was founded. Due to my acting activities, and moving around the country for work, I did not join it until my return home after the age of fifty.

I did not edit the book of poems due to the history of fifty years ago. I did hope - and still do - that it contributes to the celebration by giving something of our Today.

I did it because I wanted - needed - to.

I am now writing the stories behind some of the more dramatic poems.

I have made a start with "Working Tom", explaining his view of the powerfully and royally-connected Godiva, Countess of Mercia, and her dangerous "Leofric Times".

On our New Year visit to my wife's Catalunya, the book was copied into the archive of the Biblioteca Central, Placa Cal Font, Igualada, Barcelona Province, for the benefit of the town's English students.

Activities continue. On the 16th February, Umbrella hosted an "Old Films Night". The following day, Chairman painter and jazz trumpeter Geoff Bateman lead us to Birmingham University's Barber Institute's Exhibition and Concert.

March is Poetry Month! Our Shared Artistic lives go on.

WORKING TOM

by Martyn Richards

"Working Tom"
Martyn Richards

Our Working Tom was right,
For that he lost his sight,
He saw the truth before him ride,
In Leo's goldem-tress'd bride.

Artisan, he sensed her class,
Her craft, skill and guile,
Known in chambers royal to beguile,
Hid her power by the Mass.

Knew the rebels she called her sons,
Saw the pence-wake paid for their wrongs,
Built the church they said was hers,
Paid his tax into her purse.

It was her town, she made the rules,
Gifu's men became the Tanner-'s king's fools.

The "Story Behind" this poem concerns Tom, his Godiva and their 1066, how Guilleme took land from the people, took equality from women by disinheriting them from their lands. He edicted all the land to himself and ended the English practice of priests marrying.

Godiva died, mysteriously some said, in September 1067, just eleven months after the Battle of Hastings, which made her grand-daughter a widow, she being the wife to the defeated King Harold. Aeldgyth had previously been married to the effective overlord king of Wales, Gruffydd ap Llyellyn, killed in 1063.

This "story behind" is the one promised in the recently webbed "Sharing Our Creative Arts".

For more works by contributors from all over the world, click here