After months of waiting, wrangling, coaxing, cajoling and experimenting, our very first publication is complete and our Poet In Residence appears to be very happy about it!!!
‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ is the first volume of poems by poet and disco dancing champion Ralph Dartford.
Ralph writes narrative poems from the heart. Sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, sometimes as sad as a lost dog. Ralph has been published in The Guardian, Stirring Magazine, Pulp Faction and London Territories. His first Collection, ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ has been a long time coming.
Published by Ossett Observer ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ is a collaboration between the following artists.
Shephard Creative Sharon and Tony Shephard aided and abetted by their son Jay have provided the images and layout for the book. They work in creative graphics, graphic art and design and all round loveliness. Based in Ossett, they are part of the Ossett Observer Arts Collective.
Print Project Based at Bradford’s famous 1 in 12 club. The Print Project aim to keep the skill and art of letterpress printing alive by producing work which is incredible to read, feel and touch. Nick Loaring from The Print Project has made the cover for ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ and provided us with the inspiration to make a book you could enjoy holding as much as you will enjoy reading.
Papercut Bindery. Roger Grech, Book Binder, works from his Bindery at home in Shipley, where he hand crafts beautiful books in his cellar. Roger has stitched every book by hand and not complained. We think we owe him a drink.
Leeds Graphic Press supplied their skill in printing, folding, collating and brilliant advice to help us realise the ambition of making this book in the way we wanted to.
Ossett Observer Led by Artist Jacqui Wicks. Ossett Observer is an arts and cultural collective based in the town of Ossett. They make carnivals, music, spoken word events, swap shops and yarnstorms. ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ is their first publication.
PERFORMANCES AND READINGS
| 30th August | 7pm | Words on Tap | The Chemic Tavern,9 Johnston Street, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS6 2NG |
| 17th September | 7pm | Abbott, Stoppard and Dartford | The Nichols Building, Shalesmoor, Sheffield S3 8UY |
| 10th October | 7pm | Spoken Weird | The Sportsman, Crown Street, Halifax, HX11JB |
| 11th October | 7.30pm | Morley Lit Fest | St Peter’s Church, Morley, West Yorkshire |
| 12th October | From 10am | Settle Stories | Settle, North Yorkshire |
| 20th October | 7.00pm | East Street Arts. Open Studios | Patrick Studios, St Marys Lane, Leeds, LS9 7EH |
| 24th October | 7.00pm | Coffee House Nights at Queenies Café | Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP |
| 27th November | 7.30pm | Poetry by Heart | HEART Centre, Headingley, Bennett Road, Leeds, LS6 3HN |
If you would like to buy a copy of ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ .. THIS LINK will take you to our online shop at Etsy where you can buy your very own copy.
Copies are available from Ralph in person or from RICKARO BOOKS in Horbury, or JAM GIFTS in Wakefield.
Enquiries. info@ossettobserver.co.uk
We would like to obtain copies for resale in our Horbury shop. Can you contact us please.
Regards
Richard Knowles
Rickaro Books
17 High Street
Horbury
WF4 5AB
01924278811
Thank you for your enquiry, we’ll contact you directly 🙂
Can we increase our order to 10 copies. Can you please let us know when they will be delivered.
Regards
Richard Knowles
Rickaro Books
17 High Street
Horbury
WF4 5AB
01924278811
You can. I’ll drop them into the shop on Monday 🙂
Just received my copy and loved “Jimmy”, the first poem, good start, the rest I will read when I am not at work 😉 Thank you.
Where can I buy a copy of the book?
Hi Steve, there is a link in the above text but just in case you missed it you can buy it here https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/158389503/cigarettes-beer-and-love-a-hand-made or copies will be available at Rickaro Books in Horbury, West Yorkshire from Tuesday 13th August. Thank you.