Mark Walmsley

After leaving David Lister High School I signed up in the Royal Navy where I spent my time as a Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) down at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall. I came back to Hull and have spent my life in and around the manufacturing industry. I took a sabbatical around 2000 while I spent a year working on a yacht in Spain, did a bit of travelling to the US and North Africa and eventually got back onto the mainstream hamster wheel. I have set up my own company which is hard work and less rewarding than you might think. During the last 9 or 10 years I found a natural desire for writing. I spent 4 months of 2006 attending a Playwright course organised by Hull Truck and at present I have 2 unacclaimed plays to my name, shed ooads of poetry, short stories etc. etc.

I have submitted a number of amateur columns to various magazines and rags over the years but to date, my biggest achievement is reaching the status of Featured Writer on the thisisUll.com website which has given me a great opportunity to meet some really nice talented people and more importantly, renewed inspiration. Mark's contributions are listed below.. For the index by Section to all Marks's work Contributions click here.

Poetry - Larkin25 - Pointless Journey By Mark Walmsley
	As I sit here, In this half way, Cafe Staring blankly through The rain soaked window Pushing unwanted food Around my plate, all chipped and dirty My half eaten breakfast, Read more...

Poetry - Over The Top By Mark Walmsley
	We huddle, in this puddle, waiting for the shells to stop. We cry, we turn, our heads to the sky, a whistle to go over the top Can't get a grip, we fall we slip, knee high we wade through the mud A foot on the ladder, piss from a weak bladder, dead men fall back with a thud. The mustard air, Read more...

Reviews, Arts - Write to Speak - The Petty Concerns of Luke Wright and Helen Mort at Hull Truck - Wednesday 20th October 2010 By Mark Walmsley
	Hull Truck 0 - Luke Wright 30.If this had been the cricketer Luke Wright, you would be forgiven for thinking that the headline was a cricket score result between the Hull Truck cricket team and the solitary England Batsman but on this occasion it was worse news. On his second visit in 2 years to the Hull Truck Theatre, Luke Wright, one of Britain's leading performance poets played to a house of around just 30 people. Read more...

Poetry - Larkin 25 - Man Flu By Mark Walmsley
	How can I possibly get up this morning? I'm going to die and that's a warning. Feeling half dead, Got a splitting head, I can barely walk. My throat hurts - when I talk, All my snotty - wet - hankies, Read more...

Poetry - Larkin 25 - Fishy Business By Mark Walmsley
	Scallywags in filthy clothes worn and ragged Doorstep fishwives foul mouthed, old and haggard Scabby grey gulls hover over the trawler fleet load As they pull alongside, a mile from Hessle Road The stench of the fish that will become food and glue The prize of the haul is shared twix skipper and crew Read more...

Poetry - Sunday Bloody Sunday By Mark Walmsley
	Out of bed as late as I dare, pick up my bag from the kitchen chair Dash out to the street, sleep in my eyes, late again, no surprise. Get to the ground and shabby hut, the changing rooms all locked up Read more...

Poetry - Larkin 25 - Declined Laureate By Mark Walmsley
	Philip Arthur Larkin, Rough diamond set in loose facet As once described 'The saddest heart, in post war supermarket' A piquant mixture of discontent And one of poetic lyricism. Critiqued tides of modern jazz He steeped his work in dour pessimism Read more...

Poetry - Persecution Express By Mark Walmsley
	A full head of steam, to fulfil one mans dream, The train leaves the station, with recognisation Bellowing black smoke, as the cargo does choke The heave and strain, of the departing train Carriages all broken, blindness no token, The screams and the wails, at the stories and tales Across field and valley, does not dilly-dally, Read more...

Poetry - Commercial Christmas By Mark Walmsley
	At last it's here the twenty fifth of December The excitement, anticipation all our friends we remember Food and presents, decorations in all their glory Candles, mistletoe, mulled wine, chestnuts and holly But in the North Pole, all is misery and gloom No elves are working, no toys in any room Last Christmas used all the money that was left Read more...

Poetry - Ode to Sir John By Mark Walmsley
	A warm summer noon, for a game of bowls Lily white dresses on court, Fine cut grass with honeysuckle perfume A surely cocked boater Gin fizz and water Willow hooked seamer, red leather to be caught. Clattering carts, over cobbled cascade Read more...

Reviews, Theatre - Write to Speak featuring Kate Fox and Scarlet Lights at Hull Truck - Wednesday 16th September 09 By Mark Walmsley
	The first performance of the new season of Write to Speak came round pretty quickly and most definitely replicated the first gig a year ago with regards to support and talent. On a personal level, I fully understood what was on offer and although the event didn't seem very well advertised, I was notified by thisisUll the day before and without a hesitation changed my appointments for the big day in order that I made sure I was there for the kick off, in fact I was Read more...

Poetry - Hull Big Screen By Mark Walmsley
	What a bloody eyesore Tinned noise and what for? We leave our sad life behind Only to bloody well find Another TV we've got away from To see this giant abomination This broken down screen Hull's supposed to be green, yet, Read more...

Poetry - No Practical Skills Required By Mark Walmsley
	Congratulations and well done, on the purchase of your new kit The enclosed easy instructions, will show you how to fit All the packaged items, contained and arranged as seen Will give you years of good use, the best that's ever been Take out the parts from box 'A', and place them on the floor Place bags '1','2','3' and '4' with the hammer and a saw Get yourself a screwdriver, a tape and resin Glue Read more...

Reviews, Theatre - Write to Speak featuring Tony Walsh and Dennis Just Dennis at Hull Truck - Wednesday 15th June 09 By Mark Walmsley
	The third and final Write to Speak event of this season at the Hull Truck Theatre on Wednesday 15th July, was headlined by two nationally acclaimed performance poets, Dennis Just Dennis and Tony Walsh, who both hail from Manchester. The nights entertainment was introduced by local poet Joe Hakim who was, in effect 'on the subs bench' as far as performing on these occasions go. Joe has a bigger challenge and I dare say a bigger audience to present himself to at the fourth Latitude Festival in Suffolk where he is performing in the poetry arena on Sat 18th and Sun 19th July.Read more...

Poetry - Buy One Get One Free By Mark Walmsley
	Buy now and save with 'splat' you will be utterly amazed Our busty blondes that advertise it, will leave you purely dazed It works wonders in the bath and around the kitchen sink It turns all surfaces sparkling clean or that's what we make you think By now you will be hypnotized, to our advertisement plea Read more...

Poetry - We interrupt your programming to go live to the BBC News desk ... By Mark Walmsley
	'Reports are just coming in that... Democracy has just been assassinated From the comments from the gentleman in the hat He witnessed the murder as orchestrated There is widespread panic on the streets Carnage, devastation an attack on the elite' Read more...

Reviews, Theatre - Write to Speak featuring Luke Wright at Hull Truck - Monday 29th June 09 By Mark Walmsley
	After attending the first Write to Speak session back in May featuring Mike Watts, Joe Hakim and Mandi Lowe, I certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to attend the second instalment with Luke Wright on Monday night. I arrived at pretty much the same time as the last Write to Speak performance at about 7.20 pm for an 8.00 Read more...

Poetry - Poetry versus Art By Mark Walmsley
	If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then art is a personal expression If diction is a rule of language, then poetry does not have a connection. How can an art critic judge, when he has no talent of his own? Read more...

Poetry - Addictive substance By Mark Walmsley
	It starts early in the morning, the first thing in my head I shake with a fever, Mouth all dry as I step wearily from my bed I hope I have enough powder left from yesterday's last fix I am a useless shell without it, and it's only half past six Down the stairs I steady myself, shakily I go Read more...

Reviews, Theatre - Write to Speak at Hull Truck - Wednesday 27th May 09 By Mark Walmsley
	Having found the thisisUll website by accident while looking for an outlet for my hobby and passion, Writing, I was welcomed by Cilla after an initial contact who took a page of my work I submitted and pasted it on the World Wide Web as seen, titled as The Right Hand of God. In addition to this, she asked me if I would be interested in attending the Write to Speak gig at the Hull Truck on Wednesday 27th May. Read more...

Poetry - The Right Hand of God By Mark Walmsley
	I bless this creation, the animals and all The Garden of Eden, the trees so tall The crystal waters that run through the brook Fresh air you breathe, I will record in my book I curse the land, you cast me beneath I swear a vengeance through my gritted teeth The fire and torment I endure each day Read more...