A local poet has launched an initiative to help raise funds for the Kiwanis Tea Room at Willows Beach.
Frank Wilson has produced a card version of one of the most popular poems from his most recent published collection of poetry, “Apple Man”, and is using the proceeds from the initiative to help support the Tea Room; a place he has come to love since arriving in Oak Bay some ten years ago.
The “Tea Room Willows Beach” card comes complete with a Chris Mann photograph, envelope and sleeve that Wilson is selling for $5 at the Tea Room with all the proceeds arising from the sale of the poem to go to the Kiwanis to help support the modest tea room operation at the popular beach.
Wilson says that, when he sits in the Kiwanis Tea Room at Willows Beach, it’s like stepping back in time.
“There’s no other commercial enterprises around, and all you have is this glorious little tea room and people and kids and dogs and the sea,” observed Wilson with a chuckle.
“It’s all a bit special and Willows Beach is a special bit of the bit special.”
That poetic turn of phrase is totally in-keeping with Wilson’s poetic nature and his love of Oak Bay.
He came to the community some ten years ago after visiting the area many times in the previous years to visit his daughter, who has lived in the community for 27 years.
“I was a professor in the UK and had to write all the things you have to write as an academic, but when I retired I had the chance to write other things, and that’s what I’m doing now,” said Wilson.
His first published work came in the form of a collection of poems in 2008, entitled “Blackberries”. From that work, he moved on to two volumes of short stories, also published in the UK (“Nowt To Do With Me “and “Nowt To DO With My Wife”).
Since coming to Oak Bay, Wilson has concentrated on his poetry and has published two collections of poems entitled “Chasing Crows” and “Apple Man”.
And Wilson’s generosity toward the Kiwanis Tea Room is not the first time he has donated the proceeds of his work to charity.
All the profits from all of his previous work has been directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“I just thought I should help support a charity and I had a very good friend who had MS so it seemed natural to help support that cause,” explained Wilson.
“I’ve worked a lot with the Art Therapy Group at the MS Centre and it’s been a really nice blend. In fact, the photo that accompanies the poem that we have for sale for the Tea Room was taken by a fellow named Chris Mann who also has MS and has been a part of the group at the Centre.”
Wilson’s current projects include a third “Nowt” book which will focus on his overseas working life and the years he and his family traveled to East and Central Africa and the South Pacific.
He is also looking to a possible collaboration with UK photographer Russell Hague.
To buy a copy of the poem and photographs, simply drop by the Willows Beach tea room.
And, although the poem will be available for purchase at all times, Wilson said that he might even be around when you drop in; sitting around in the Tea Room from time to time and giving away individual copies of other poems.