Join Connecting Threads at the Kobby, Kelso for a session of poetry reading, riverside conversation and printmaking in celebration of Tweed, a new full-length poem in Scots by Borders-based poet Craig Aitchison.
From the “steepin grund” and “moor gress” at the source of the Tweed near Tweedsmuir, through fickle rapids and history’s “constant rub”, the poem winds its own riverine journey across 28 pages, beside empty mills and “precious hauchs” to meet the sea, “giving itself with open arms”, at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Like the river it celebrates, Tweed is a polyvocal work – the result of multiple conversations and collaborations.Tweed exists in several forms. Book artist Rosemary Everett has created a beautiful limited edition version with help from fellow book artists Felicity Bristow and Susie Wilson.
This art-object combines Craig’s writing with a delicate, multi-layered etching made by Georgie Fay in response to his words, while the pages were letterpress printed by Robert Smail’s Printing Works in Innerleithen. There is also a pamphlet version, richly illustrated with prints made at a public workshop, as well as an audio version read by Craig.
Connecting Threads are delighted to be hosting three riverside gatherings to continue these conversations and community connections.
"This river, this quiet power, this steady, enduring, onward flow.
It will not be owned or identified, not held by word or by writ."
- Craig Aitchison, Tweed, 2025
Hear more from Craig in this interview on the Connecting Threads journal.
Details
5:30pm: Meet at the Connecting Threads Gazebo, The Cobby, Kelso https://maps.app.goo.gl/c6Zi8mw7dB3nn2y57 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/c6Zi8mw7dB3nn2y57)
5:45pm: Craig Aichison will read an extract from his poem ‘Tweed’ followed by conversations and thoughts and responses.
6:15pm: Light snack and hot drinks and the opportunity to create your own responses and river inspired collaged prints on a ‘Tweed Conversations Postcard’ with Artist Georgie Fay.
6:45pm: Hear a second poem extract from Craig
7:30pm: finish
We will be taking these ‘Tweed postcard conversations’ to our first Tweed River Fest: Watery Commons 2025 (31/10 - 2/11/25) and final Continuing Conversations event in Peebles on Friday 31st October. These will be able to be viewed over the weekend.
Access
The Cobby has parking available and is flat grassy ground.
