Associate Professor Simon Poole
Associate Professor of Cultural Education
I'm an ardent advocate and scholar, with a deep-rooted passion for cultural education. My journey as a folklorist involves delving into all sorts of folk and creative practices, from gardening to poetry; from storytelling to singing, all the while seeking to unravel their profound connections to education and creativity.
As a folklorist, I have explored these different yet interconnected, fascinating and rich traditions primarily through arts-based practices as research, as a means of recognizing their pivotal roles in our cultural heritage. For me, these practices are not just pastimes but critical and valuable types of meaning-making that underpin much of what we understand of education and community-building to be.
More recently, I have been particularly interested in how gardening, as a creative practice, moves far beyond simply cultivating plants; it nurtures creativity and fosters connections with the natural world. I aim to introduce young minds to gardening as a creative practice, the wonders of nature, and emphasize the therapeutic benefits of tending to living beings.
I don't think of music and song a great deal differently. I've heard folk music being described as being carried on the wings of tradition, serving as a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries. I can appreciate this, but for me, it is also personal, it is natural, and connects us to something in the same way that gardening does. I'm dedicated to using these mediums as a means of education and cultural preservation, bridging generations and promoting a sense of shared identity.
In my advocacy, I champion the idea that these folk practices can contribute significantly to educational settings. The concept of 'growing for wellbeing' is at the core of my mission, emphasizing the importance of our connection with nature and the arts in fostering emotional and spiritual literacy and positive mental health among learners.
Mintopia, my plant nursery, is a National Plant Collection for the mint family that does just that; it focuses on the potential of working with plants within education. It is a testament to the therapeutic and educational value inherent in the botanical world, and a singular duty we all have in maintaining biodiversity.
In my work, I aim to harmonize the cultural significance of gardening and creativity with the realm of education, fostering a deeper understanding of our cultural roots and the importance of nature and art in learning. This journey is driven by a passion for positive change: Sow the seeds of knowledge, creativity, and wellbeing.
While I am a co-director of, and researcher for, the Centre for Research into Education, Creativity and Arts through Practice (RECAP) in the School of Education, I love teaching about and for creativity! I was the Programme Leader for the MA Creative Practices in Education (MA CPiE) for several years and have taught across multiple post-Graduate programmes, I currently supervise several doctoral students across the university, and lead the Creative Practices module on the EdDoc programme within the school of education.
My research interests may at first glance seem broad, or disconnected, but actually as a creative producer and entrepreneur, my enterprise and professional activity advances research that is interested in the use and understanding of creativity, creative learning, pedagogy and creative practice as part of our lives, and intrinsic to our wellbeing. I instigate such enterprise through connections between education, and the health and social care sectors; the arts and culture sectors; and crucially within the horticultural sector. These connections collaboratively place creativity, creative practice, pedagogy and learning as a key part of working for these sectors. For me, this creativity occurs within the sphere of cultural education, and particularly through engagement with creative practices such as gardening.
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Poole, S. E. (2019). Living and learning through song (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, United Kingdom. |
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Poole, S. (2018). Opening Words. Chester, UK: Chester Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-908258-33-5 |
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Poole, S. (2019). Ekphrastic Poetry Writing. In Benmergui, R., Owens, A. Passila, A. (Eds.), (2019) Beyond Text: Arts Based Methods for Research, Assessment and Evaluation, Erasmus Plus EU: Beyond Text Partnership. eBook. |
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Poole, S. (2005). Celia. In Life Lines. In A. Chantler (Ed.). Chester, UK: Chester Academic Press. ISBN 1-902275-51-9 |
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Poole, S. (2017). Playing with Ekphrasis. Chester, UK: Soil Records |
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Poole, S. (2017). Bumblebees like jazz. Chester, UK: Soil Records |
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Poole, S.E. & Scott, C. (2021). National arts and wellbeing policies and implications for wellbeing in organisational life. In The SAGE Handbook of Organisational Wellbeing. Tony Wall, Paula Brough, and Sir Cary Cooper (Eds.). London, UK: Sage |
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Poole, S., Shrire, D., Österlund-Pötzsch, S., Chakrabarti, G., Cheeseman, M., Tainii, M. & Seltzer, D. (2020). Ramblings: A walk in progress (or the minutes of the International Society of the Imaginary Perambulator). In Ethnography with a Twist. (Ed. Tuuli Lähdesmäki, Eerika Koskinen-Koivisto, Viktorija L.A. Čeginskas, Aino-Kaisa Koistinen) London, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429355608) |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2020). How Music Accessibility can be used in Art Based Research experiences. In A. Owens & J. Adams (Eds.), Beyond Text. Bristol, UK: Intellect. |
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Poole, S. (awaiting publication, 2021). The Routledge Research Companion to Autoethnography and Self-Reflexivity in Music Studies. London, UK: Routledge. |
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Poole, S. (2018). An exploration of the tension between tradition and innovation. In L. Martin & N. Wilson (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Creativity at Work. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 978-3-319-77349-0 ISBN 978-3-319-77350-6 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77350-6 |
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Poole, S., Scott, C. & Marichalar-Freixa, E. (2019). Psychogeography and Well-Being. In W. Leal, P. G. Özuyar, P. Pace, U. Azeiteiro, & L. Brandli (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of the Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming the World We Want. New York, US: Springer. ISSN: 2199-7373 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-95681-7_58 |
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Poole, S., & Sole, L. (2019). Informal Music-Making and Well-Being. In W. Leal, P. G. Özuyar, P. Pace, U. Azeiteiro, & L. Brandli (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of the Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming the World We Want. New York, US: Springer. ISSN: 2199-7373 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-95681-7_57 |
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Mackenzie, A., Wall, T., Poole, S (2019). Applied fantasy and Wellbeing. In W. Leal, P. G. Özuyar, P. Pace, U. Azeiteiro, & L. Brandli (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of the Sustainable Development Goals: Transforming the World We Want. New York, US: Springer. ISSN: 2199-7373 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-95681-7_80 |
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Poole, S. (2018). Rancière and the demise of the book. Advancing Education - Summer 2018. UK: NAACE. & submitted in satisfaction of fellowship of Mirandanet/ITTE. ISSN 2050-1331 |
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Poole, S. (2017). Re/searching for 'Impact'. Journal of Work Applied Management, 9(2), 147 - 158. ISSN: 2399-6439 DOI: 10.1108/JWAM-07-2017-0022 |
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Poole, S. (2016). Kindly Apparitions: Reflections upon Reflections. Lapidus Journal - 20th Anniversary Special Triple Edition, Capturing the Collective and Connected Spirit of Writing for Wellbeing (Part 3 - Individuals Connecting to a Collective Spirit). 1-3. ISSN: 23995564 |
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Poole, S. (2016). The Lore of the Landscape. Primary Geography, Spring (89), 10-11. ISSN: 0956-277X. |
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Poole, S. & Summers, A. (awaiting publication) Teacher as ignorant technology master: Rancièrian musings on VR pedagogy. |
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Poole, S. (Sep, 2020). Cornucopia: Creativity. (6). Chester, UK; Ballarat, Aus; Millersville, US; Vic, Catalonia; Bethlehem, Palestine: FECS & Storyhouse. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Poole, S. (Sep, 2019). Cornucopia: Transformation. (5). Chester, UK; Ballarat, Aus; Millersville, US; Vic, Catalonia; Bethlehem, Palestine: FECS & Storyhouse. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Poole, S. (2018). Cornucopia: Tradition. (4). Chester, UK: FECS. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Poole, S. (2017). Cornucopia: Innovation. (3). Chester, UK: FECS. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Poole, S. (2016). Cornucopia: Reflection. (2). Chester, UK: FECS. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Poole, S. (2015). Cornucopia: Creativity. (1). Chester, UK: FECS. ISSN 2516-2667 |
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Reviews of article entitled „Digital technology and education“ for a Special issue of the Journal “Pedagogika” (Jul 25, 2018) Edited by Andreas Hoffmann-Ocon, Tomáš Kasper and Karel Rýdl. |
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Review of article entitled "Coordinating Character and Curriculum for a Future Wales" submitted to the “Journal of Work Applied Management”, special issue (2019) "Sustainability in Work-Applied Management" Edited by Dr. Scott Foster |
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Review of article entitled "Room 2084 - Knocking on the Door of Room 101" for “Organizational Aesthetics” (2019), Edited by Monica Biagioli et al. |
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Review of article entitled "Conversations About Everything" for “Organizational Aesthetics” (2019), Edited by Monica Biagioli et al. |
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Review of article entitled "Muhammadiyah teachings in Malaysian FE" for “Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning Journal” (2019), Edited by Prof. Tony Wall et al. |
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Adams, J., Arya-Manesh, E., Owens, A. & Poole, S. (2018). Storyhouse Young Leaders: Evaluation Report, Commissioned by Oglesby Charitable Trust & Bank of America Merrill Lynch. RECAP: Chester. |
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Poole, S. E. (2020). Wellbeing within the workforce: Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service (CSASS) Evaluation Report, Commissionined by Big Lottery. Storyhouse: Chester. |
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Poole, S. E. (2020). Complimentary ecotherapy, wellbeing and returning to work. A research report for Gwent Police Commissioned by the Welsh Government. Storyhouse: Chester. |
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Poole, S. (2019). ‘Workers’ Tales: Socialist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Allegories from Great Britain. Journal of Folklore Research. ISSN 0737-7037. |
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Poole, S. (2018). Selling Folk Music: An Illustrated History. Western Folklore Journal. (77)3/4; Summer/Fall. ISSN 0043-373X |
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Poole, S. (2015). Folk Culture in the Digital Age: The Emergent Dynamics of Human Interaction. Folklore, 126(3), 362-363. doi:10.1080/0015587X.2015.1083707. ISSN 0015-587x |
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Poole, S. (2020). Owd man. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2020). Postcard. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2020). Time and Tide. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2020). Roll up, roll up. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2020). Paper. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2020). A Parliament of Owls. On Miracle Molecule: A method for maladies. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Sole, L. (2019). Dialogic Conscience. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2019). Hysterical Hysteresis. feat. Martinez, D. & Ballardin, E. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2018). Phantom Islands feat. Eva Marichalar-Freixa. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2018). Oneiric Dimensions. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2018). Infinite Delights feat. Eva Marichalar-Freixa & Allan Owens. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S., & Solé, L. (2018). Conversation in sonic hyper-reality. Believe International, Luxembourg, LX: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2018). The Walk to Kitty’s Stone. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Iron John. On Prosthetic Soul. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Fool. On Spaghetti NorthWestern. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Flying Saucers. On Prosthetic Soul. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Fishermon's Song. On Spaghetti NorthWestern. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Billio. On Spaghetti NorthWestern. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Atmospheres. On Spaghetti NorthWestern. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). The Ballad of Bianca Owen (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Spinning Jenny (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Record |
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Poole, S. (2016). Sparrows on the Roof. Chester, UK: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Shoot Me (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Revelation (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Radiation Vibe (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). oh, Telford's we love you (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Nice to be Nice (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Latch Key Kid (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). In the Blood (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Hold Your Horses (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Devil's in the Detail (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2016). Andrew (Live). On The Loose Kites Live @ Telford's Warehouse. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Sword of Damocles. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Spinning Jenny. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Premeditated Charity. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Nice to be Nice. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Lothario. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Latch Key Kid. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Informative Sign. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Hold your Horses. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Hold Your Horses. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Come Walk with Me. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Cold Comfort Home. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). Andrew. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2013). An Incident of Extraordinary Consequences. On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Twilight Rouse. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Twilight Rouse [Acoustic Remix]. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). The Third Person. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). The Third Person [Acoustic Remix]. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Silver. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Please Me (That Shame of Year). On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Please Me (That Shame of Year) [Acoustic Remix]. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). On the Way. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). On the Way [Acoustic Remix]. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Bonafide Superficial Creed. On Revelation. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2011). Backburner. On The Twilight Sessions. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). Silver. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). Roo Ba Bah. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). Red, White and Blue. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). Quite Some Time. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). I Won't Lose. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). High Price. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2010). Black Pearls. On Morning Thieves. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). The Devil's in the Detail. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). The Ballad of Bianca Owen. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Shoot Me. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Roo Ba Bah. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Revelation. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Radiation Vibe. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Last Orders. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). In the Blood. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). High Maintenance. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2009). Dirty Rascal. On the loose kites. Believe, Paris: Soil Records. |
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Hirst, P., & Poole, S. (Writers) & E. O'Neal (Director). (2011). Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In P. Hirst (Producer), Lost Treasures. Chester, UK: ITV Granada/Planet X |
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Poole, S. (Writer) & C. Wilson (Director). (2014). Andrew, On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (Writer) & MUTV (Director). (2013). Lothario, On Of Bricks and Brambles. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2012). Jericho. On The Jericho Project. Believe, Paris; YouTube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (Writer) & J. Stark (Director). (2010). Shoot Me, the loose kites. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (Writer) & S. Smith (Director). (2009). Roo Ba Bah, On the loose kites. Believe, Paris; Youtube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (Writer) & Reelvision (Director). (2008). Revelation, On the loose kites. Believe, Paris; YouTube: Soil Records. |
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Poole, S. (2017). Playing with Ekphrasis (Photographic/Poetry Exhibition). At Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, UK. |
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Performance of the composition ‘Sparrows on the Roof’ for a cultural symposium at Bethlehem University in the summer of 2016. |
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Performance of ‘xenotext notation’ research with Dr Lluis Sole |
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Mural in St Michael's Church, Chester. On Cheshire Folklore, with Russel Kirk |
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Poole, S. (2020). A wordbook of rare mithers: Unbethinkrawm. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
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Poole, S. (2020). A wordbook of rare mithers: Womclemd. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
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Poole, S. (2019). A wordbook of rare mithers: Fendfallatic. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
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Poole, S. (2018). A wordbook of rare mithers: Gowd forging. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
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Poole, S. (2018). A wordbook of rare mithers: Swaddledidaff. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
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Poole, S. (2017). A wordbook of rare mithers: Anan-flaskered. Chester, UK: Tortoise |
EdDoc, MA, PGCSiC, PGCE, BA(Hons), SFHEA, FCCT, FCollT, FRSA, FMir, MISM