Some of our book titles exhibited in various rooms at the Libros Gallery. See our full book list here.
Category Archives: Photos
Gallery – Ian Clayton China 2015
Ian Clayton has been out to China to work at the University of Changchun for two months. As well as the work, he also got a bit of time to travel around. Here are a few photos.
A warm welcome
Laiking pat-a-cake at Changchun University
So, Professor Clayton, what exactly are your thoughts on Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter?
The Clayton method, part one.
That Bringing It All Back Home book travels well
Song For My Father arrives at the Freedom Cafe
Tea with the Chairman
Bootleg CD car boot sale.
Exercising with the People’s Choir in the Cultural Square
When you look at a sign at the start of a walk in an English woodland, it usually tells you to look out for a certain bluebell. this one up on Changbai Mountain reminds you that Siberian tigers roam hereabouts!
This is Changbai Shan, the most famous mountain in china up on the border with North Korea. In fact, the shoreline across the lake is North Korea! This is Heaven Lake and it’s rare that the clouds lift enough to see such a good view, it’s up near 10,000 feet, the highest volcanic lake in the world.
The only outlet from the Heaven Lake in Changbai Mountain and the source of three of Northern China’s rivers.
With the great Guan Dawo, who has made two photographic trips to Tibet and come back with some stunning pictures of a disappearing world.
I went to see an exhibition of the photographs of my friend Guan Dawo and somebody gave me a bunch of flowers. as my old gran used to say ‘Our Ian will get where water can’t!’
I liked this one so much I bought it!
One of the loveliest theatres, the old Beijing Opera Temple Theatre, in continuous performance since the 1600s.
Beijing’s oldest purveyor of fine hats.
Beijing Royal Gardens. If you have ever seen The Last Emperor, this is the path they carried him down on his sedan chair.
Man on a wall.
All you need is lavender.
Photos – Big Midweek Launch Party
We were humbled by the array of talent that came to support Steve and Olivia for the launch of their book, and the legions of fans / friends and ex-members who travelled to witness the spectacle. Here’s a selection of photos from the night.
The star attractions Olivia Piekarski and Steve Hanley at the soundcheck
Olivia Piekarski reading
The great Paul Hanley – Compere, Drums, Vocals and all round Master of the Ceremonies
Our question master, the lovely Sarah Walters
On guitar the legendary Colin Burns, an unsung star of the story
A touch of class on the keyboards, a delight: Fall founder member Una Baines
On lead guitar, riff king Jason Brown
A touch of glam from Steve Morris for All The Young Dudes
Our mystery man in balaclava for Container Drivers
Our compatriot, soul and blues sensation Helen Forshaw belting out Mr Pharmacist
The shy and retiring John Robb exploding into Release the Bats and Totally Wired
Yer Granny on Bongos. Totally Wired. The amazing Shirley.Friedman
Can you have a rock and roll book launch without a florescent hula-hoop dancer?
The mighty Tom Hingley burning up The Killing Moon
A Fall reunion party: Si Wolstencroft, Paul Hanley, Grant Showbiz, Marcia Schofield, Brix Smith Start
For more on the book: www.thebigmidweek.wordpress.com
The Big Midweek Signing
Steve Hanley & Olivia Piekarski signing the 300 numbered edition of The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall. These books have now sold out.
You can still order advance copies if you want a copy before the official release date. Place your order here. (Books despatched week beginning 14 July 2014) Official release date 15 September 2014.
Read the first interview with Steve on the Fallnet website.
The first insider’s account of life inside The Fall, Steve Hanley’s story unfolds like a novel; from 1979 when he joined his schoolmates Marc Riley and Craig Scanlon in The Fall, he puts us right in the heart of the action: on stage, on the tour bus, in the recording studio, and up close and personal with an eccentric cast of band mates. These vividly drawn scenes give unprecedented insight into the intense, highly-charged creative atmosphere within The Fall and their relentless work ethic which has won them a dedicated cult following, high-art respectability and a unique place in popular music history.
Foreword by Marc Riley
www.thebigmidweek.wordpress.com
The Desperados
On this longest day, to celebrate the awarding of a PhD to M Y Alam, the birthday of photographer Kevin Reynolds and our meeting today with Ada Wilson, we were prompted to dig into our archive for this photo, taken outside Route HQ in 1999.
The Desperados are (L to R) Andy Campbell, Ian Daley, Ada Wilson and M Y Alam. Photo by Kevin Reynolds.
Bringing It All Back Home to the NUM
Ian Clayton presenting the David Jones-Joe Green Memorial Lecture at the NUM HQ.
The David Jones-Joe Green Memorial Lecture is an annual event held by the NUM to remember two miners killed on the picket line during the 1984-85 strike. Past speakers have included Dennis Skinner MP, the journalist Paul Foot as well as NUM Life President Arthur Scargill. This year Ian was invited to present the lecture. He told stories about growing up in a pit town, about coming from a family of miners and he read from his book Bringing It All Back Home to illustrate aspects of his childhood. He drew a standing ovation.
Ian said later, ‘I was a bit nervous, because the inner sanctum at the union headquarters is a powerful building with famous union leaders of the past staring down at you from the walls. You stand at the same lectern where great calls to arms have been made in the past and that can be a bit overwhelming in itself. I tried my best to tell a story that would mean something to miners, I think I must have done alright because David Jones’s father came up to me afterwards, put his arms round me and kissed me.’
