How was your summer?

It's been a while since I was in touch - August flew by as I made plans for the autumn and imagined what might be possible in 2021.

For me, nothing feels quite 'right' at the moment. And yet I console myself with the fact that 'this' situation offers challenges and learning experiences. I am developing new skills and working with communities I would not have been able to otherwise - for example I have just finished writing a new song for a teaching resource pack for primary teachers across Wiltshire to use from September.

I hope you're all hanging on in there however feels right for you.

The cap is back in my new show!

I have been commissioned by Celebrating Age Wiltshire to write and perform a new piece which will be recorded on 23^rd September at a venue in Wiltshire and shared online. As soon as the details are confirmed I'll share the link with you.

I worked with Celebrating Age Wiltshire when I was touring No Petticoats Here in 2018 and The Hard Way in 2019 and they have asked me to write a piece which brings together the themes which I write about and which are relevant right now - resilience and overcoming barriers. Expect extracts from Florence, No Petticoats Here and The Hard Way as I weave a new narrative that explores connections across two hundred years of women's history!

Photo credit above: John Wyers

Community Commission

Live & Local's Living Room project has commissioned me to work with two rural villages in Warwickshire to write songs in response to the communities' experiences this year. Unsurprisingly the communities have chosen to share stories of their lockdown experiences and I am currently writing a song series based on the stories I have collected.

I worked with Live & Local on previous tours - they are a rural touring scheme that works across the Midlands supporting local promoters to put on performances in community spaces such as village halls.

So far songs include 'Lost in Isolation' and 'Life Before Lockdown' about the adventures of Pogo and Teddy - two teddy bears who have been sighted around the villages doing various activities such as playing pooh sticks on the bridge, bird spotting up a tree and baking cakes by the village hall.

Plans for 2021

I am now pencilling gigs into my diary from February onwards. It's disappointing not to be able to go ahead with live performances in 2020 but unavoidable so I will be continuing to work online this autumn.

Shows that were rescheduled from spring 2020 to autumn 2020 are now being re-rescheduled to spring 2021. I'll keep hoping for the best because that's how I stay positive.

In the meantime, I'm planning an end of year fundraiser for two charities close to my heart whose work has inspired me over the past year and whose work resonates with the themes I write about: EdUKaid's Heshima project and The Helen Loewenstein Memorial Trust. There's so much music available online and I'd really like to know whether you'd be interested in a live, digital gig in November/December, where you'd prefer to watch this (facebook live/youtube live/other) and when (evening/weekend/other)?

As ever, my online shop remains open should you wish to purchase CDs, booklets or postcards. I'm very grateful for your support.

Photo (above): Louise at EdUKaid's office in Mikindani, Tanzania 2019.

Stay well