Southsea couple compile their experiences of lockdown into a booklet of poetry and paintings

Celia and Deane Clark have compiled a 40-page illustrated booklet which follows their journey through lockdown and living in the city under these extraordinary circumstances.

Entitled Lockdown Spring, the work includes Celia’s poetry and photographs alongside paintings by historical buildings architect Deane, who has published two of his own books of images of Portsmouth and Hampshire.

Celia said: ‘It’s so extraordinary what we have all been through. When the government said we could go for a walk once a day, we went out for a walk quite often in the afternoon.

‘We’re just incredibly lucky that we live near the seafront and have such a variety of places to explore.’

The booklet begins from Easter Saturday, April 11, and includes thoughts, illustrations and photographs up to May 24 - although the creativity is still flowing and the pair are thinking of creating a summer edition.

While Deane works up his watercolour images of the city and seaside, Celia sits nearby and observes what is going on around them which inspires her to write her poetry.

‘He’s been doing it a long time and he enjoys it - I enjoy watching what people do,’ Celia said.

‘I have sent them to friends and got some very good compliments. Several readers say it vividly evokes these strange times we are living through.’

There is even a poem included from their 10-year-old grandson Henry J Fast, which explores the sights, smells and sounds he experiences in Portsmouth.

Celia sent some extracts to Simon Armitage, the current national Poet Laureate, in the hopes he might enjoy reading the pair’s experiences of lockdown.

When she isn’t writing lockdown-inspired poetry, Celia is working on a book about what has happened to Portsmouth harbour’s barracks, forts and ramparts in the last 50 to 100 years.

Printed by North End business Asher Design and Print, Lockdown Spring costs £6 to buy, with £1 postage and packaging, and order requests can be made by email to [email protected].

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