Toothill Long Poem: Poems & Dreams: the writing of the Toothill Long Poem

TOOTHILL: A WORLD OF IMAGINATION

From looking through the notebooks of my group of Toothill young writers, I could see that they are deep thinkers, imaginative and proud of where they live. 'Dreams / Poems' is stated on the front of Kiera's book, a good place to start, a good place to make poetry. We were all inspired, dreamlike, by the hedgerows, the spectacular view from Toothill, the wildlife as well as what 'The Watchers' means to us, Toothill as 'Lookout' and the wonderful 'Toothill Sunrise' as a 'stained glass story'.

The students enjoyed talking to older people, giving Toothill a sense of history and community, a voice of strength and a place of dignity. Their stories float in and out of the long poem, they are both amazing and tantalizing. I was glad to make a place for them in a historical recording of voice, insight and imagination by young people of Toothill. 'It has made me want to go and visit Toothill' said Kevin of Writers' Cafe, Lower Shaw Farm, after hearing the first draft on Thursday evening.

Some striking imagery can be read and will be heard from the pages the students wrote in their journals:

TOOTHILL IS COOL! HAVE FUN IN TOOTHILL!

THE TRAIL OF MY LIFE BEFORE...A WORLD OF IMAGINATION

A GARDEN FENCE AND A LITTLE RED DOOR...

CARS DRIVING ROUND ON THE ROAD...BABIES CRY AND PARENTS MOAN!

MUSIC IS PLAYED FULL BLAST...

The poem is collage of these pieces, brought together with words from Toothill elders, link Magazine and myself. I had reflections too, as an honoured visitor of Toothill who had the pleasure of walking around this remarkable community with 14 young students, to visit the lunch club and record stories...to look from the very top of Swindon and to be able to say, 'wow, I really like it here.'

So come and hear the students read their words on Saturday 12th May. Details here on the Swindon Festival of Literature Website:

http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/12-sat.html#sat12-toothill

Come and hear the tales of ghosts at Mud Hills...