Dennis Gould at his 84th birthday party

This evening Helena and I went to celebrate Dennis Gould’s 84th birthday at our local village hall, the Trinity Rooms, although his birthday was actually on 23rd August. The occasion’s celebration had been delayed many times, and by even more than a year, because of the difficulties of meeting in the time of Covid. This event was also the moment when a short film about Dennis called ‘The Last Cuckoo’,  made by Mark Chaudoir, was going to be premiered. The hall was being used because the original venue became too small for the numbers who wanted to come. Given other circumstances far more people would have been invited as he is a celebrated local personality and stalwart of the arts scene of the town, and country.

My main blip is of Dennis performing one of his poems in the rather dimly lit hall. Various other performers read short pieces or played and sang beautifully. The evening was compered by noted performer Elvis McGonagall, who also lives in Stroud, and we heard him read several poems which were hilarious. Helena read a couple of short pieces, having often performed at poetry gigs with Dennis and his great friend Jeff Cloves. Jeff read some of his classic verses and told stories of his very long friendship with Dennis. I’ve added ‘Extras’ of them all.

Helena has also written about the event on her blip for the day  –  Woodpecker's blip of Dennis' 84th birthday party. She tells the story much better than I can. We had a really good evening out, and went to our first party in absolutely ages. Here’s to better times and Dennis’ good health.

I’ve blipped Dennis many times over the years, where I’ve recounted a few background stories about him and his amazing life as a cartographer in the Royal Engineers, a lifelong peace campaigner, one of the original CND Marchers, a worker at ‘Peace News’, woodblock printer and of course a poet. 

Our friend Dennis pops in

The Apple spirit