Special events
Poetry Day – Sunday 7th July
Poetry in the Barn:
A summer celebration
POETRY IN THE BARN – A SUMMER CELEBRATION
SUNDAY 7th JULY 2019, 10.30am to 5pm
(Doors open 10am)
Aardvark Books, Brampton Bryan, near Knighton
Anna Dreda is delighted to be organising a summer celebration of poetry in the glorious North Herefordshire countryside, hosted by Aardvark Books in Brampton Bryan, near Knighton.
The guest list is headed by Gillian Clarke, (former National Poet of Wales) with Jonathan Edwards, (Winner of the Costa Prize for Poetry 2014), Paul Henry, Pauline Prior Pitt, Deborah Alma, aka the Emergency Poet, Jean Atkin, Thirza Clout, (chosen by Carol Ann Duffy as Laureate’s Choice 2019) and Jenny Swann (creator of Candlestick Press).
Join us for a day of sheer poetic indulgence – there will be something for everyone, as you’ll see when you read about our poets below.
Tickets are £30 each, available from Aaarvark Books via Eventbrite here – or click on the green button opposite. The ticket includes all events, coffees and teas. Lunch will be available in the cafe, or bring a picnic!
For any ticketing queries please contact Aardvark Books on 01547 530744. For all other enquiries please contact Anna by email on info@wenlockbooks.co.uk
The Poets
4.15pm to 4.45pm
Gillian Clarke
Gillian has delighted audiences for many decades now, with personal anecdotes that bring each poem gloriously to life. We are proud and lucky to have her as our headline guest at this inaugural event.
12.15pm to 1pm & from 4pm
Jonathan’s readings are intimate and funny with his slightly bashful manner, but don’t be fooled – his poetry is sharp, honed, and perfect! His observation of people is clear-sighted but imbued with warmth and kindness – a real treat.
2.15pm to 3pm & from 4pm
Paul Henry will read from his latest collection, The Glass Aisle,as well as from his older, more familiar works – The Brittle Sea and Boy Running – on fatherhood, the power of music and from poems haunted by the Ceredigion coastline of his childhood. He’s bringing his guitar!
10.30am to 11.15am & from 4pm
Pauline Prior Pitt
Pauline is a firm favourite on the festival circuit and we are so pleased she is making the 1,000 mile round trip to join us today. Pauline will be reading from some of her most popular collections as well as her most recent work.
11.30am to 12.15pm & from 3.15pm
Deb will be having a busy day of it today: her Poetry Ambulance will be parked up outside the bookshop, she’ll be having a lively conversation with Jenny Swann and she’ll be reading from her latest work. And it will all be done with a Deb-sized smile!
From 3.15pm
Jean will read from ‘How Time is in Fields’, which explores the way place contains all times, as well as the residue of other lives and other creatures. There’s a lot of walking and weather in this book, the poems alert to our shared and multiply haunted space. The book follows the Old English months, reflecting shifts of folklore, season and state of mind.
From 3.15pm
Thirza will combine her skills as a stand up comedian and a very fine poet to give us a reading that will make us laugh, think, and possibly squirm! Never shying away from difficult or painful topics you can expect a roller-coaster ride.
11.30am to 12.15pm
Jenny Swann and Deborah Alma will be in conversation together. Join in the discussion about sharing the magic of poetry, how it works and why the right poem at the right time is just perfect and can offer the ultimate lifeline.
Find Us
Address
12 High Street
Much Wenlock
Shropshire TF13 6AA
Opening Hours
Open 10am – 5pm, Monday – Saturday
Telephone
01952 727877