Taking a chance

Sometimes one has to take a chance and hope something comes of it. It did today. The billing said - Three Northern Women in conversation with words and music, in St Cuthbert's Church. Okay I'll give it a go I thought.

We were in Carlisle again for the last day of the Book Festival. This morning Gordon went to a talk about Thomas Cromwell . He said it was brilliant, so much so that he bought the book - a huge tome - so it must have been good. I went shopping! Then we met up for a session where Alan Johnson, talking about the music of his youth, was in conversation with Stuart Maconie. It brought back memories of coffee bars, jukeboxes, Dansettes. Excellent!

I left this early to go across to the church. St Cuthbert's is a lovely place. It doesn't look much from the outside, and is of course overshadowed by the Cathedral right behind, but it is a warm and welcoming venue. The place was full, but I am not sure whether anyone knew what to expect.

So, Jackie Kay, the Scottish Makar (Poet Laureate) read her poetry and how delightful she was. Some thoughtful words, her lovely lilting voice, her humour and storytelling - fabulous! And this was interspersed by songs from Suzanne Bonnar, jazz singer and actress. What a voice! Totally unaccompanied, she filled the church with passion and joy. Mesmerising! And then Marie-Elsa Bragg read from her writings about her mother and her faith. A beautiful voice and some astonishingly exquisite words, she just held the whole audience in her hands. Then, when she and Suzanne joined together - well, they were running over time, but no one was moving - there wasn't a sound.

Sometimes you take a chance and happen upon something so magical you will never forget what you experienced.