Poet With Passion For The Arts

Booklet raising funds for relaunched St Alban's Church

The writer of a new booklet of poetry is hoping to raise funds for the recently re-launched St Alban's Church on Acton Green.“Waiting for the Fireworks” is the latest book of verse by Tony Inwood, a well known figure at Christ Church Turnham Green.

Tony describes his book as "an eclectic collection of verse, some serious, some humorous" and says he hopes it will help raise funds for the “Back to Life” appeal for St Albans Church on Acton Green. It is his third collection of poetry.

The Church has just been re-launched and it is hoped that it will not just be a worship space, but provide all kinds of other facilities to serve the local community including, being an all -year round centre for the arts.

Tony was brought up in a children’s home in the 1960’s. He has lived in Chiswick with his friend, Simon Rodway, for 42 years and for much of that time has worked as a self-employed gardener in the area.

He began to write poetry just over 10 years ago and this is the 3rd booklet he has produced. He also creates abstract artworks from time to time and the front cover of this latest booklet is one of his pieces. He has exhibited his art at various times over the years, most recently in an exhibition with 2 other artists at the Hogarth Health Club. All the profits from the sales of this were donated to “The Tommy Hollis Fund”.

Tony is a committed Christian and has been a member of Christ Church Turnham Green for 20 years. “It is a wonderfully vibrant Church”, he says, "it provides very a warm welcome for all, offers varied and stimulating services on Sundays, and does a great to help the local community, not least through the marvellous night shelter scheme for homeless people over the winter months”.

Tony also writes short dramas and has had 3 of them performed in Christ Church, including a monologue that was acted out by one of the Christ Church members at the culmination of the Good Friday “Walk of Witness” last Easter.

Tony has had no formal training in anything at all. He left school at 16 with a few CSE’s and went straight to work in London. He says that over the years he has found great support through the warmth and kindness of many friends, and also maintains that his Christian faith has been a prime mover in his life.

He says; “I believe in a God who loves all people and wants to nurture them and help them to become the very best of what they can be, regardless of their background and experiences”.

“Waiting for the Fireworks” is completely free, but donations are encouraged . Details of how to give are contained in the preface. Copies can be obtained in St Albans Church and at Christ Church. The book can also be obtained at Foster's bookshop on Chiswick High Road.

October 9, 2014