Table Stories. 1916: The Battle of the Somme. THE BATTLE of the Somme was one of the most savage conflicts the world has seen — and one of the great tragedies of the 20th Century.
The attack itself was supposed to hand the Allies victory over Germany in World War One by ending the stalemate of trench warfare on the western front. Anglo-French forces were to launch a massive infantry assault which would punch an enormous hole in the German lines. This breakthrough was then to be exploited by the cavalry, who would ride through the gap and attack the enemy’s rear. The assault began with a huge artillery attack on the German lines. Thousands of British and French guns fired 1.6 million shells. On the morning of July 1, 1916, British engineers exploded two mines which had been planted beneath the German lines, tearing gaping holes in the enemy trenches. Two minutes later, at 7.30am, British and French troops attacked along a 25-mile front. Do I Dare? WE ARE POETS — Random Acts. Close Random Acts is a short-form daily arts strand on Channel 4, late nights.
It launched in 2011 and in its first year showcased 260 specially-commissioned three-minute films chosen for their bold and creative expressions of creativity. Television as art, rather than about art, Random Acts will enable a diverse supply of both established artists and emerging talent to create their own pieces, unmediated by presenters and unfettered by the conventions of conservative arts television. The short films will disrupt the schedule with content including, but not restricted to, spoken word, dance, animation, video art and music. To ensure a diverse, surprising and consistently excellent supply of talent, we'll work with a group of creatives including Tate Media; youth media brand, Vice; cutting-edge dance company, Ballet Boyz, FACT, and some of the country's most imaginative production companies to create each and every Random Act.
Poems by soldiers and other members of the armed services. Phil Williams explains how this poem came to be written: I wrote this poem last July (2009).
At the time I was working in Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, for the NAAFI and was wallowing in self pity as my partner had just sent me a “Dear John” e mail. Seeing all those helicopters coming in with the dead and wounded moved me greatly and put my own small problems into perspective. I am proud to have served our brave service men and women in Afghanistan in my own small way. Phil Williams Reality in Afghanistan My pain feels cold and selfishMy anguish very smallMy reality insignificantCompared to ones that fallYoung men with broken bodiesTheir Comrades lie in sacksDevastated parents Their sons will not come back. My pain will ease and lessenMy anguish slip awayReality in AfghanistanTwo brave men died todayYoung men with shell shocked facesGrowing old before their time Are living breathing testamentTo this shallow pain of mine.
Phil WilliamsBastion 1 July 2009 From Chris in Kandahar, 15 October 2009. Modern war poetry: British soldiers explore Afghanistan and Iraq wars in verse. The book, due out in time for Remembrance Sunday, is the brainchild of Captain John Jeffcock, a poet and former Coldstream Guards officer.
“I wanted to get a collection of poems from injured soldiers,” he explains. “I thought it would be beneficial for them and would also provide a rare insight into humanity. The poems are very honest, they are blunt. "All profits from the sale of the book will go to the Army Benevolent Fund. " Indeed, the book has already received the backing of Carol Ann Duffy, the Poet Laureate. “I’m delighted that there’s poetry still being written about conflict,” agrees Lord Baker. Student feedback enriches my poetry. I'm sorry to read of the spat between Joe Simpson and the teenagers who study his book.
Trading insults is not the way forward. It isn't funny. It's painful. As a syllabus poet, I perform with Poetry Live, and am in touch with thousands of teenagers. No doubt some of the applause we receive is ironic, but after the events many email to say they had a good day, and that poetry is not boring after all. Every week, except in the summer holidays, teenagers email me questions via a form-filler on my website. One year I made the mistake of going to France in the weeks leading to the GCSE English exam.
Of thousands of emails I've received, just a handful have been offensive. The poem is called Lament, written at the time of the first Gulf war. I responded, saying I hoped he'd raise his hand in lit class every time he had an idea. Poetry Terms Quiz. LIterary Terms Quiz. An interactive learning tool that can help you understand what makes metered poetry in English tick.
Learning Zone Class Clips - Imagery and Poetry - Literacy Video. Learning Zone Class Clips - A poetry workshop using surroundings and settings as inspiration - English Video. Learning Zone Class Clips - The background to poetry - English Video. Learning Zone Class Clips - Simon Armitage Interview - English Video. Poems to view on video. AQA Moon on the Tides Anthology.