Bee Fever by Angie Biltcliffe
‘Bee Fever’ is the beautiful collection of poems by my friend Angie Biltcliffe who passed away earlier this year.
Angie wrote most of these poems while she stayed in a caravan at a wild, overgrown friend’s garden at Winchelsea Beach while recovering from an earlier illness two years ago. They explore her feelings about life, death and bee keeping in beautiful and direct language, drawing on imagery from the nature of Winchelsea Beach.
Winnie Beach
Wading waist high
through the waves
I’m in with it
in with the birds
sky larking
the rabbits in love.
It is the hottest day
of this sweet summer
and I am the sun
In this ocean
this spit of water
A honey bee drowns
I watch her colours bleed
to be my grandma’s embroidery
for her boy Tom,
a life on the wing.
The honeybee screams
”I am afraid!”
I reach in
lift her finished body to my lips
and blow her away
I am alive
I am alive
I am still alive.
Angie also wrote a haunting story ‘Breast Pockets’ that is available with ‘Bee Fever’.
Bee Fever and Breast Pockets together cost £7 + 75p postage and packing
Angie’s friend Claire Richardson took a stunning photograph of one of Angie’s bee hives for the cover. I’ve illustrated and designed the book. My wife Rachel Pearson did the layout. Angie’s friends at The Electric Palace cinema dealt with the fundraising and many of her friends contributed to printing costs. It was a real team effort as these fantastic poems deserve to be published. The book was printed a month before she died- Angie was delighted with it.
After printing costs are covered (We’re very close already) all proceeds will be donated to charities of Angie’s choice.
January 4, 2011 at 7:13 pm
[...] birds to bees. In the gloom of the misty day, someone has brought some sunshine to the wall of Angie and Len’s house. She’d have appreciated [...]
January 14, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Dear Ed
Thank you so much for sending the two copies of Angie’s “Bee Fever”.
Do you have anything else by her – e.g. copies of her paintings, etc?
Best wishes
Beryl
June 25, 2011 at 8:23 am
Dear Beryl,
i’m so sorry to take so long to get back to you…I somehow missed your comment.
I don’t have anything else by Angie but there’s to be an exhibition celebrating Angie and Len’s work, at Hastings Museum from the 20th July. Be great if you could make it.
Many thanks,
Ed
March 5, 2011 at 6:05 pm
I have just got back from the Moving Images Exhibition at the DeLa Warr Pavilion where I saw Rebecca Marshall’s moving film called “Bee Fever” about Angie Biltcliffe. A wonderful, beautiful film about a wonderful, beautiful woman. I hope she is now with her bees, peaceful and in no pain. I have just ordered a copy of the above book.
March 6, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Thanks so much, and what a lovely thought. There should have been copies on sale at the De la Warr. perhaps they’ve already sold out. will get the book in the post in the next couple of days. X ed
March 17, 2011 at 1:45 am
I wonder if you could tell me
Is this angle who may have studied art many moons ago in Hereford. Idling away time wondering the whereabouts of friends gone by
Thanks for your help
June 14, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Aloha Ed,
I’m a friend of Angie’s through the Sacred Trust. She sent a copy of Bee Fever and Breast Pockets to us for our last meeting together, as she couldn’t be there. They’re both stunningly beautiful.
I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to order, but I just sent my payment in through PayPal. However, I’m located in the States, so I’m certain I’ll owe you more postage. If you get back to me with an amount, I’ll send you another payment.
She’s very missed. xxxx
Daien
July 20, 2011 at 1:42 pm
[...] Fever, a collection of poetry by Angie Biltcliffe can be seen here. LikeBe the first to like this [...]