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Heather Wastie

@heatherwastie.bsky.social
613 followers 369 following 352 posts

Poet, singer songwriter, keyboard & accordion player, actor, Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2015/16 wastiesspace.co.uk linktr.ee/heatherwastie

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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Some bod / bot in China has read my poem ‘Surfaces’ and has learned that here in the UK we propagate vegetables in our ears wastiesspace.co.uk/2026/09/23/s...
wastiesspace.co.uk
Surfaces
In the days of Corona, Mother’s Pride, the Betterwear Man and milk on the step, the bread man brought bread, the coal man brought coal, so the dustman must have delivered dust. Dust to be bru…
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I’m delighted to have a poem published by @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today
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Atrium @atriumpoetry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thank you for reading and sharing today's poem - Isn’t it time you threw that old tray cloth away? by @heatherwastie.bsky.social
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I’m delighted to have a poem published by @atriumpoetry.bsky.social today
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Happy #NationalPoetryDay - ‘You and I and the dragonfly’ (published on the wonderful Dirigible Balloon website with lots of other poems for children) dirigibleballoon.org/poem/You-and... #Wonder #dragonfly @northernjim.bsky.social
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Black Country Society @blackcountrysoc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We're delighted to be stocking a selection of volumes of Black Country poetry by West Midlands publisher Offa's Press. All of these are available in our online shop!
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Remember Mother's Pride bread and the Betterwear Man? Surfaces - a poem from my latest book, now on sale! wastiesspace.co.uk/2026/09/23/s...
wastiesspace.co.uk
Surfaces
In the days of Corona, Mother’s Pride, the Betterwear Man and milk on the step, the bread man brought bread, the coal man brought coal, so the dustman must have delivered dust. Dust to be bru…
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Do you have specific music you listen to when you are writing? I find there are some albums that help me get into a writing headspace. #WomenWriters #WritingCommunity
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Delighted to be included in this lovely list.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It was great to see so many people at my book launch! The singing of ‘Doh call me a Brummie’ was loud and heartfelt 😁 WUM MED, WUM GROWED - my tenth collection - is now available from www.lapalpublications.co.uk! #BlackCountry #dialect #laughter
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Say happy birthday to the breeze Call happy birthday through the trees Sing happy birthday to the sky Happy birthday, Dad, another year gone by.
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Joshua Seigal - 'YAPPING AWAY' out now! @joshuaseigal.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
ATTENTION TEACHERS! Would you like to have a poet in your school, but struggling for cash? You can apply for a £500 grant, courtesy of Tower Poetry Schools Grant. Info here: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/tower-poetry... Please check out my website to book me: www.joshuaseigal.co.uk. Pls share! #EduSky #BookSky
chch.ox.ac.uk
Tower Poetry Schools Grants
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Atrium @atriumpoetry.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Thank you for reading and sharing today's poem - you are there by @bigstevepoet.bsky.social
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Official launch of my tenth collection in 48 hours! Thursday 17th Sept 7pm. Cradley Heath Library, Upper High Street, Cradley Heath B64 5JU WUM MED, WUM GROWED
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Black Country Society @blackcountrysoc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Black Country History Day, Saturday 17 October, 10-4.40. Join us as at the Black Country Living Museum to discuss 'Protest and Dissent in Black Country History'. Tickets available at bclm.com/tickets-and-...
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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This evening, Arena Nights returns to the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton. Our headline show is 'Easy Money' by Clive Oseman. Find out more about the evening here: wlv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Tonight!
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
A strong supporter of the #FundBritainsWaterways campaign, I hadn’t considered this additional benefit. Thanks for sharing @fbw-campaign.bsky.social
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Luca Trenta @lucatrenta.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Turns out that if you are an old lady with a banner supporting Palestine, the government arrests you on charges of terrorism. If you are a masked white male thug bringing a national port to a standstill, the government does absolutely nothing, and the media covers it like some lads on a day out.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts & culture MUST be part of it. I've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join me: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/
campaignforthearts.org
Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts
Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Book launch less than two weeks away!
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Writing for Wellbeing @writeforwellbeing.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Wendell Berry. We’re already missing you.
When I rise up
Let me rise up joyful
Like a bird

When I fall
Let me fall without regret
Like a leaf. 
(Wendell Berry)
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Okay. Who submitted my name? Own up. www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... #storm
bbc.co.uk
New storm names for 2026-2027 released by Met Office
Tuesday 1 September marks the start of the UK storm season and a new list of storm names have been released including Austen, Chloe and Evelyn.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
So much to inspire us in Great Witley today! Worcestershire Open Studios - 2 days left to enjoy the artwork & support individual artists. #openstudios
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
70 seconds well spent
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Won’t be buying this again. Colgate MAX WHITE PURPLE REVEAL. There’s a disclaimer in minuscule print saying it can cause stains on certain materials. And it does exactly that. Avoid.
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Fiftywords @fiftywords.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Here’s one for #vss365
A Prvate Blizzard
One tissue left in a pocket went through the wash
and became weather. Snow on the trousers, snow on the shirts,
snow in the socks. A private blizzard
at forty degrees. We shook, we brushed,
we picked. Still they clung!
snowflakes
that would not melt.
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Linda Dunn @dunn4authors.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The more you engage with your followers -and they respond, the more your content will be placed in front of others. Another idea is to create content your followers want to share. Encourage shares (feel free to share this) and show gratitude once they do (thank you so much for sharing).
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
On Sunday 13 October I’ll be at Stourpoets, Hope & Anchor #Stourport with poems about my childhood in the #BlackCountry & some character pieces, all from my latest book Wum Med, Wum Growed.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
My new collection will be officially launched on Thursday 17th September! “This warm, heartfelt collection will delight lovers of the Black Country and its wonderful dialect.” Liz Berry
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Nine Arches Press @ninearchespress.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We'd love to parcel up some poetry books for you. Our SUMMER SALE is now on with up to 50% off a range of brilliant books from our catalogue of acclaimed and much-loved #poetry collections 📚 Perfect for #SealeyChallenge readers too! ninearchespress.com/shop#!/SALE/...
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Happy #InternationalApostropheDay! Here’s my poem from the point of view of an #apostrophe on.soundcloud.com/tjIAfWDIDSHx... And here’s the Apostrophe Protection Society! www.apostrophe.org.uk
soundcloud.com
On Behalf Of Apostrophes
Singer/songwriter and poet from the Black Country, England, now living in Kidderminster.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Discovering 'the person behind the behaviours' #ITMAlexanderTechnique #poem wastiesspace.co.uk/2026/08/13/b...
wastiesspace.co.uk
Breaking the surface
I spent a wonderful weekend attending this year’s ITM Alexander Technique Summer Workshop. The experience of discovering ‘the person behind the behaviours’ – there was much …
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I’m pleased to find my 2015 Home Cooking podcast for @applesandsnakes.bsky.social is still available on @mixcloud.bsky.social - a poetry trail recorded at @nationaltrust.org.uk #Croome Park when I was #Worcestershire #poetlaureate www.mixcloud.com/applesandsna...
mixcloud.com
Home Cooking: Poets At Croome By Heather Wastie
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Thoroughly enjoyed my morning with novelist @joannebarker.bsky.social in Wolverley. Lovely audience of people interested in #writing. My talk focused on how I wrote Weaving Yarns, inspired by people who worked in the carpet industry in #Kidderminster. See link in my bio for details of where to buy.
Heather smiling, holding a copy of her Weaving Yarns book. Jo smiling next to her books & banner at Wolverley Memorial Hall. Cover of Heather’s book, Weaving Yarns, showing a man’s hands tying a knot.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts & culture MUST be part of it. I've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join me: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/
campaignforthearts.org
Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts
Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The title of my latest book is taken from my song Wum Med, Wum Growed (Black Country dialect for Home Made, Home Grown), Do have a listen to this live performance! soundcloud.com/heatherwasti...
soundcloud.com
Wum Med, Wum Growed live performance
From Heather Wastie's 2026 book Wum Med, Wum Growed, inspired by growing up in the Black Country in the 1960s. Performed by Heather Wastie, voice & accordion. Recorded for Sandwell Visually Impaired T
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Love Canals @lovecanals.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
The Lock gate at Winsford Marina A commemorative, landlocked lock gate at Winsford Marina, opened by the late Timothy West, makes a fitting backdrop for a Fund Britain's Waterways banner. #LifesBetterByWater #KeepCanalsAlive #FundBritainsWaterways lovecanals.uk/blogs/the-lo...
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
bbc.com
'Separate in name and power': How America reinvented English
America's linguistic independence has transformed the English language with a wealth of new words and phrases – shaping its own cultural identity in the process.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Having prepared a list of books for Friday's table top sale, I thought I'd share it here too! These are all available to buy online - see my website wastiesspace.co.uk/publications/
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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The updated poster for @midlandsfringe.bsky.social 😎
A very colourful poster on a blue background. Text reads: Midlands Fringe 2026. 17th-26th July, Wolverhampton city centre. 30 Fringe shows, 3 headline shows, 8 venues has been changed to 33 Fringe shows, 3 headline shows, 9 venues. Visit midlandsfringe.co.uk
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Oh my goodness. Someone has emailed to tell me about a spelling mistake in my first collection, which was published in 1997 & has been out of print for many years. That’s all he said - there’s a spelling mistake. I’m working on my reply.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
‘…the 20th century’s most impactful economist saw no contradiction between fiscal discipline and state investment in culture for its citizens’ long-term happiness and wellbeing.’
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Oh my goodness. Someone has emailed to tell me about a spelling mistake in my first collection, which was published in 1997 & has been out of print for many years. That’s all he said - there’s a spelling mistake. I’m working on my reply.
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
“Recent events just reinforce FBW’s message of the consequences of inadequate funding for our waterways, and show why the campaign is so vital.” #FundBritainsWaterways
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Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 23/06/2026
Anti-Prime Day starts…NOW! 🥳 Today through 6/26, enjoy free standard shipping site-wide, all while supporting local, independent bookstores.
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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
The shows are all booked. The venues are confirmed. The posters have gone to the printers. AND we've set up a new BlueSky account for Midlands Fringe. You'll find it here @midlandsfringe.bsky.social and from this Friday it'll be packed with all news Fringe-related. Give it a follow! 😊
The words 'Midlands Fringe Ay It!' on an orange/yellow poster with coloured zig-zag lines. 'Midlands' is in black text on an orange background; 'Fringe' is white on a hot pink background. The 'i' of Fringe is a microphone in bright yellow. 'Ay It!' is in hot pink on a yellow background. Overall, we'd describe this poster as 'vibrant'.
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Catherine Redford @catherineredford.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
‘Things I wasn’t prepared for when she died’, from my poetry collection ‘The Way the Water Held Me’. Today, on #internationalwidowsday, I’m thinking of widows all around the world who are suffering in their grief, and particularly those who are facing poverty and injustice. You are seen 💙💙💙
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 23/06/2026
‘I don’t know how to save my daughter from her husband’: the brutal reality of the Taliban’s new marriage law
theguardian.com
‘I don’t know how to save my daughter from her husband’: the brutal reality of the Taliban’s new marriage law
The latest decree from Afghanistan’s rulers makes it impossible for women and girls to leave unwanted or abusive relationships, even with family support
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Heather Wastie @heatherwastie.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
My two most recent collections are very different from each other. YOU ARE HERE is a diary of lockdown wastiesspace.co.uk/you-are-here/ and WUM MED, WUM GROWED is about growing up in the #BlackCountry. ‘Felt like home’, said a woman in the audience at a recent performance. I love that!
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