The Poems

THE VILLAGE THAT WAS FORMBY by Joan A Rimmer

Formby Memories in Verse

THE VILLAGE THAT WAS FORMBY written and read by Joan A Rimmer.

In this episode Joan Rimmer reads her poems first published in 1987 Formby Memories in Verse and in 1988 More Formby Memories in Verse.

Joan Rimmer included the Hillsborough poem at the end. It was written on 15th April 1989 after the other books.

It is an absolute privilege to hear Joan reading this superb account of Formby and her magical poems that so vividly capture Formby life and characters in rhyming couplets. Naming just a few poems would include - Tasker. Joan Holden. Rimmers. The Boathouse. The milk round. The Swamp. And the amazing account of the Marmalade Cart.

The Village that was Formby Joan Rimmer was born in Formby in 1935 of an old established local family. She began writing in 1987 and received instant acclaim for her evocative nostalgic poems on Formby. Two years later, with the publication of My Formby, she became Formby’s best selling author of 1989 and again repeated this success in 1992 with Formby Remembered. Her books have circulated world wide bringing pleasure to thousands and firmly placing her at the forefront of Formby’s most talented writers. Her renowned local history charity slide shows attract capacity audiences and her local press contributions invariably reflect the deep love she has for the village where she was born. In 2019 Joan received the Pride of Formby Lifetime Achievement Award.

Living the Simple Life is a poem written by Joan Rimmer. Here it has been set to music and performed by Stephen Gerrard. A long standing friend of Joan Rimmers. For all of Stephen Gerrard songs visit YouTube Stephen Gerrard or visit the website. WWW.stephengerrard.com

Thanks to Joan Rimmer for allowing Formby Podcast to record this reading. The recordings have all taken place each day on the telephone due to Covid 19 lock down restrictions 2020 2021. It has been fantastic to chat each morning at 10.30. It has certainly kept us both very entertained. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of learning.

The image used for the Formby Podcast cover is the cover for Joan Rimmer - Formby Memories in Verse first published in 1987. The cover was drawn by Muriel E Sibley, there are two poems dedicated to Mrs E Sibley, her photographs and her line drawings are kept by the Atkinson Museum, Southport.

The Village that was Formby. If you would like a copy - there are a few left please email [email protected] - -£25 for 2 books - The Village that was Formby and The Joan Rimmer - Formby V.E. Day Celebrations Scrapbook (published in 2020 just before lockdown) the price includes postage and packing.

THE VILLAGE THAT WAS FORMBY written and read by Joan A Rimmer.

In this episode Joan Rimmer reads her poems first published in 1987 Formby Memories in Verse and in 1988 More Formby Memories in Verse

More Stephen Gerrard music visit. WWW.stephengerrard.com

Formby Podcast celebrates the civic, cultural and natural history of Formby.

Contact [email protected]

Or instagram @absoluteformby