Sureena Brackenridge (pictured), the Member of Parliament for Willenhall,  has declared the first-ever New Invention Summer Festival a success.  It occured on Sunday 27th July at New Invention in Willenhall.

There was  a free bouncy castle, free childrens face painting, sand pits, BBQ, arts and wellbeing stalls.  The event was organised by Tal Singh (pictured with Sureena Brackenridge MP) at Soulbrite Seva CIC and Leesha Mansell of Community Matters CIC.

The live entertainment was  provided courtesy of  Saida & Friends -  the very best of local spoken word, music, creative writing workshops.

"It was  a cracking event" said Ian Henery "and we kicked off the music with local legends The Other Half, namely Andrew Keatley & Sylvia Keatley.  They recently performed at the Bridgnorth Open Mic Night at Kershaw`s Cafe and played a great set".

Headlining Saida & Friends - Saida Chowdhury (pictured with Sureena Brackenridge MP & Tal Singh) who recently performed at Robertos in Halesowen and is an experienced creative workshop faciliator.  "Saida`s work has been endorsed by none less than Sureena Brackenridge MP" said Ian Henery "and we were  looking forward to having our MP at the event along with film maker Graham Stubbs".

Saida was recently interviewed on Black Country Radio with Tal Singh and Sureena Brackenridge MP.  

Saida Chowdhury was born in Bangladesh and grew up in West London.  She graduated from Queen Mary University.  She got married and moved to Birmingham where she raised a family.  Her debut poetry collection is due to be published with a foreword by Sureena Brackenridge MP and endorsements from Junna Begum at Legacy WM, Wolverhampton Poet Laureate Kuli Kohli and Poets Against Racism.  

Saida is a member of the South Asian Women’s Writing Group and the Bangladeshi Artist Development Association.  She is an experienced workshop facilitator and an experienced spoken word performer.  She recently headlined for Offa’s Books with Kuli Kohli and then headlined at a book launch in Stourbridge - all on the same day!

Other poets included Katie Victoria who performed at The Milestone in Willenhall on 12th July with The Groovy Gang Entertainers called Gunshots at the Gin Joint.  "I was chuffed to bits to be there" said Ian Henery "because it was sold out".  Katie also launched her debut poetry collection "I Write Because...." which is now an Amazon best seller.  

Other poets with Saida & friends included Daniel S Martin and Rosie Mitchell who also performed recently at Robertos in Halesowen.  Daniel performed his spoken word at Poetry Breakfast with Saturday Books at the weekend at Dudley Library.

Also in attendance was local broadcasting legend - Lee Benson from Black Country Radio - who was  compering, reading from his children`s book and performing spoken word.  

Lee Benson  is a published author, poet and writer of 10 children’s books  He hosts a radio show every Sunday interviewing authors poets writers and musicians on BlackcountryXtra called Listen With Lee.    

Being creative, left handed, dyslexic and dyscalculate has not stopped him from trying to push boundaries and help people along the way.  ‘Creativity is essential to life’ says Lee   He is also very proud to say he received a Blue Peter badge whilst on Blue Peter at aged 26. 

"Thank you to everyeone who came along to support this event"said Saida Chowdhury "and Saida & Friends.  a big thank you to Tal Singh and Leesha Mansell the organisers.  Last - but by no means least - a very big thank you to Wolverhampton film maker and photographer Graham Stubbs for coming along and capturing these specialmoments on film".

Photo - Sereena Brackenridge MP & Saida Chowdhury by Graham Stubbs