Artworks launch poet’s new volume

He displayed unique artworks of his poems, made by Andrew Stewart Jamieson, scribe and illuminator to the Queen, and Nottinghamshire calligrapher Charles Johnson.

The centre-piece was Mr Jamieson’s treasured depiction of a double-acrostic ode which Clive wrote in tribute to St George.

The exhibits on view also included one by Mr Johnson about Nottingham, incorporating such images as Robin Hood, ice-dancing superstars Torvill and Dean, and the Trip to Jerusalem pub.

Clive’s new book, ‘More Poems for the Internet’, includes a vivid description of the city’s famous Goose Fair. He said: “It makes me feel really proud to have these wonderful artworks dedicated to my poetry.”

The poet has strong links with Hucknall, where his grandfather and other ancestors lived.

That was in the days when Hucknall’s status as a mining town was at the pioneering stage.

Clive (73) formerly worked on North Sea oil rigs, dating back to when he helped launch the Forties Field with BP in 1974, and he undertook the often hazardous duties of crane operator.

A major highllight came in 1976 when he was presented to the Queen after Her Majesty had launched the flow of oil from the Forties Field in Aberdeen.

Clive’s love of Lord Byron’s poetry is combined with reflections on his seafaring career in a poem, ‘On Reading Byron’s ‘Ocean’”, which is to be found in the new anthology.