Bostin News: Meet Content Editor Heather Wastie
Portrait by Amy Holland
Bostin News: Meet Content Editor HEATHER WASTIE
Tell us what you do:
I've been Writer in Residence at the Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster (2013) and the Worcestershire Poet Laureate (2015/16). I've published eight poetry collections and edited two books of Black Country reminiscences. I'm a singer/songwriter who is inspired to write about real life stories.
Since 2016 I've worked with Alarum Theatre, writing, performing and touring shows about women on the canals. In 2017 I wrote and performed poems for the popular Nationwide Building Society ad campaign. Amongst my previous commissions are pieces for Canal & River Trust, Black Country Echoes, Birmingham LGBT choir Rainbow Voices, West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust and Rights and Equality Sandwell's "Where's Our Spake Gone?" project.
Why did you want to be a Bostin News Content Editor?
It was an unusual job which gave me chance to work with artists across the region as well as writing new pieces of my own.
How and why did you choose the people you commissioned?
It was my aim to choose artists covering Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall. I would then write about Dudley. This helped me narrow down my search when there are so many great artists to choose from! I also wanted a range of artforms and was looking for artists who engage with other people in their work. I was really pleased to commission:
Wolverhampton-based musician and artist, Alex Vann, who produced a song, working (online) with a community group in Moxley. He made a video of the song which includes artwork by the group. It's beautiful. I've known Alex a long time, and his collaborative and inclusive way of working fitted the bill.
Sandwell-based visual artist, Louise Blakeway, who wrote an illustrated article about her working practice. It was great to be able to offer her a second commission to make linocuts to go with one of my commissioned poems. I had admired her work on Instagram so it was good to get to know her.
Walsall-based poet and musician, Al Barz, who wrote a poem and videoed it, incorporating cartoons and historic photos. I like Al's quirky style and knew he'd come up with something interesting and engaging involving other people.
Was there anything surprising about the work / commissions you received back? If so can you tell us about them?
The lyrics to Alex's song won a poetry competition in Moxley! Since I didn't have any preconceived ideas of what would be created, everything was a surprise!
Can you tell us a bit about the motivations for your own pieces?
My car was being serviced at a garage in Netherton next door to Warren's Hall Park. While I was waiting, I went for a walk along the canal - as I had many times before - and was captivated by the reflection in the water of one of the bridges. That's how my poem 'Three Bridges, Four Tunnels' started. A lot of my writing is about canals because they've been a big part of my life since I was about five years old. My other commissioned poem tells the story of the Battle of Stourbridge. I decided to write on that subject after seeing some wonderful photos of a protest cruise up the Stourbridge Arm in 1961. I managed to get some decent copies and created a slideshow video of the poem.
Where can we find out more about your work?
Website www.WastiesSpace.co.uk
Blog https://weavingyarns1.wordpress.com/
Facebook group Wasties Space https://www.facebook.com/groups/113612992035031
Twitter https://twitter.com/heatherwastie
Instagram @heatherwastie
Here are Heather’s pieces for Bostin News *Please note that this page will be updated as and when new content is added.
