Tag Archives: crystal palace

The Importance of Independent Book Shops

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I am fortunate to live within a 20 minute walk of the independent Bookseller Crow, which is located at 50 Westow Street in Crystal Palace. Over the years I have popped in to the shop on numerous occasions and bought books and art cards as presents for family and friends.

 

Being an independent bookshop the Bookseller Crow sells a number of titles focused on the history of Crystal Palace and the Norwood area in which I live. In addition, the store stocks a variety of publications by local authors, including my recently published “Passing through: some thoughts on life and Death”. The book description reads as follows:

 

“In the last week of January 2025, poet K Morris suffered a seizure whilst at home. This was rapidly followed by several other seizures, and the discovery that he was suffering from a brain abscess, which required an urgent operation.

In this book the poet describes his thoughts and feelings as he grapples with his own mortality. Other poems touch on the mundane rhythms of hospital life, and the poet’s yearning to return to the great outdoors and Mother Nature”.

 

If you live in Crystal Palace or happen to be visiting the area, the Bookseller Crow is a great place to browse for books, so do please consider dropping in. Books can also be ordered from the Bookseller Crow’s website

https://booksellercrow.co.uk

.

 

“Passing through” is also available as a kindle download and can be found here Passing Through: Some thoughts on life and death eBook : Morris, K : Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

 

 

Kevin Morris reading his poems at The Royal Albert Pub Crystal Palace on TikTok

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I recently did a reading of my poetry at The Royal Albert Pub in Crystal Palace. You don’t need a TikTok account to watch the reading.

 

PART ONE:

@kevinmorrispoet

Poet Kevin Morris reading his poetry in the Royal Albert Pub Crystal Palace Part 1 #kevinmorrispoet #kmorrispoet #poetsoftiktok #tiktokpoetry #booktok #originalpoem #originalpoembyme #poetrylover #poetrylovers #kevinmorrisreadinghispoetry #rhyme #rhymingpoetry #theroyalalbertcrystalpalace #poetryreadings

♬ original sound – Kevin Morris

 

PART TWO:

@kevinmorrispoet

Kevin Morris reading his poetry at the Royal Albert Pub Crystal Palace Part Two #kevinmorrispoet #kmorrispoet #poetsoftiktok #tiktokpoetry #booktok #originalpoem #originalpoembyme #poetrylover #poetrylovers #kevinmorrisreadinghispoetry #rhyme #rhymingpoetry #royalalbertpubcrystalpalace #theroyalalbertcrystalpalace #poetryreadings #poetsreadingtheirownwork

♬ original sound – Kevin Morris

Bianca

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There was a young lady named Bianca

Who said all people should thank her.

But her conversation was boring

And had them all snoring,

So nobody heard that young lady Bianca!

On the Closure of the Railway Bell, 14 Cawnpore Street, Gipsy Hill

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I sit at the bar

In the old familiar pub

And touch the wood

Tinged with beers

From bygone years.

Landlords have come and gone

But the pub has continued on.

I recall

With delight

The fire’s warm light.

But it’s a summer evening

And there is no firelight.

To brighten  this leaving.

I say goodbye

To the final table

I am unable

To show my eyes

For men don’t cry

Beer in the library

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I have long been a fan of traditional pubs, and when one adds into the mix a library, the Westow House is definitely my kind of establishment.

Some 25 minutes walking distance from my home in Crystal Palace, stands the Westow, a traditional pub. I haden’t visited the place for a while however, on Sunday 2 September I decided to treat myself to a good old-fashioned pub roast and a pint. I got to the Westow at approximately 12:30 as I wanted to gain a seat in a quiet corner with plenty of room for my guide dog, Trigger to stretch out. I was delighted to secure a seat in a corner of the library (a section of the Westow stocked with books, some of which have seen better days as testified by their tatty bindings, but all of which helps to add to the character of the place).

Seated comfortably in an armchair, I enjoyed an excellent roast beef dinner with a garnishing of Horse Raddish, together with a pint of beer. Being visually impaired I am unable to read print. It was, however lovely to be surrounded by books and I took pleasure in handling several volumes despite my inability to read them. Ever since I was a child I’ve always relished the scent and feel of books which does, I think go back to when my grandfather would take me to W. H. Smiths to buy a book, which he would read to me once we reached home.

On first entering the Westow the premises where quiet (a situation ideally suited for anyone wishing to avail themselves of a good book and a pint or 2 of beer). As the pub filled up, the sound of conversation and people playing snooker replaced the comparative silence. However, to someone lost in a good book I’m sure that this would not distract from the pleasure of reading.

My roast beef dinner, including a pint of beer, came to precisely £19. While some might consider this rather expensive, given the friendly atmosphere and the quality of the food I’d certainly recommend the Westow House, https://westowhouse.com

The Glorious Inefficiency Of Local Bookstores

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“The elegiac atmosphere is part of the appeal. This bookstore, this artifact from a more literate past, serves as a reminder of values that have, in America, faded like pages in a weathered volume. The small, independent bookstore is simply a place out of sync with contemporary culture, chiefly because its very being emphasizes an appreciation of quietude, romance, and the kind of glorious inefficiency upon which the best of human life rests”.
(http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2017/11/local-bookstore-dean-abbott.html).

At the age of 49, (my 50th birthday looms, should that be lurks? Ahead), I can relate to much of the above article. I can recall visiting such places in the company of my late grandfather and browsing. To this day I still relish the scent of bookstores.

Some 15 minutes walking distance from my home, there sits the Bookseller Crow on the Hill, a great independent bookshop, https://booksellercrow.co.uk/. Not only does the Crow stock books, it also carries a range of audio CDs, calendars and postcaards depicting the Crystal Palace and surrounding area.

Independent bookshops are, from the perspective of authors a great place to get one’s books into. Particularly for independent authors, it can be difficult (frequently impossible) to get the big chains to stock one’s work. Consequently I am grateful to The Bookseller Crow for stocking my collection of poems, “My Old Clock I Wind”, http://moyhill.com/clock/. Its good to know that people in the area in which I live can see my books on display in my local, independent bookstore.

Kevin

Pubs and Books

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What could be more pleasant than a cooling pint on a hot summer’s day? A cooling pint and a good book.
I have been popping into the Westow House in Crystal Palace for some time now. They do an excellent Sunday roast and out of sheer politeness I feel obliged to have a pint or two while enjoying the convivial atmosphere of the pub!
I was unaware until Sunday 14 August that in addition to serving good food, the Westow House also hosts a small library. Having discovered this fact, I have donated a copy of my latest collection of poetry, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” to the pub’s library. The Westow is a busy place so I like to think that from time to time a pub goer will take down my book and enjoy a quiet read.
For “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” please visit http://moyhill.com/lost/. For details of the Westow House please see http://westowhouse.com/.

Nice

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As inconsequencial as a child who did say
As she walked past the aquarium yesterday,
“I have fish like that”.

Me, on my way from my flat
To the pub, thought of France
And innocent children who can no longer dance.

—

There is a shop selling tropical fish, reptiles etc some 10 minutes walk from my home. While strolling along to the pub yesterday evening (Sunday 17 July),I overheard the above snatch of conversation.