Gillingham Pow! was a temporary art exhibition along Gillingham High st, Medway, Kent during the summer of 2022.

Artist Nicole Mollett was commissioned by Medway Council to create drawing works in response to the poem by Rosemary Tonks entitled ‘The Drinkers of Coffee’. A short graphic story, which was displayed in the window of the Scope charity shop, and a banner on Sapper Way outside the local conservative club.

Alongside the installed artworks,  a new creative resource inspired by local architecture  called ‘Gillingham Pow! Drawing book’ was produced. This workshop in a book invites participants to explore the town, look up, and use their creativity to add to  and colour in the drawings to the blank spaces on the page. Over 500 free copies of the book were distributed via the Street Angels food bank, in several charity shops, cafes and at the library.

Rosemary Tonks (17 October 1928 – 15 April 2014) was an English poet and author.  Rosemary Tonks was born in Gillingham in 1928 where her mother Gwen was living at a time when her husband Desmond was working in Nigeria. Her father Desmond Tonks died in Africa before Rosemary was born. She published two poetry collections, six novels, and pieces in numerous media outlets. Recently her poetry has been republished by Bloodaxe books.

The Gillingham Drawing book is a new creative resource inspired by local architecture and heritage landmarks. This workshop book invites participants to explore the town, look up, and use their imagination to add their own drawings to the blank spaces on the page. All you need is a pencil or a pen. Colouring-in pencils are optional. Collect your free copy in charity shops, cafes or in the library.

For more info go to: https://www.medway.gov.uk/gillinghamPOW

With thanks to Bloodaxe books for permission to work the words of Mrs Tonks.www.bloodaxebooks.com

Bedion of The London Evening (Collected Poems & Selected Prose)

To buy the book go to:https://www.bloodaxebooks.com/ecs/product/bedouin-of-the-london-evening-269