The second annual Leamington poetry festival returns to the town’s Temperance Café in October with fringe shows, comedy, workshops, open mics, and readings. The weekend of October 23-24 will be a free festival of the spoken word, with no ticket sales or booking required for any of the events.

Highlights include the Warwick Literary Society open mic, the Girls vs Boys comedy poetry night, Sunita Thind’s Malaysian Fairytales workshop and an appearance from the newly-selected Warwickshire young poet laureate. Young enthusiasts can join in on the Sunday lunchtime open mic and then try some beatboxing at Word Guerrilla’s Slang Jam, while the serious poetry fan can attend the Tr é Ventour lecture or listen to the visiting Bard of Northamptonshire, Kezzabelle Ambler.

The festival is organised by Leamington-based Scriptstuff Poetry. Its founder and festival director Mike Took is grateful for the generous support of the Royal Leamington Spa town council, and said: “Over the last few years we have been making so many connections within our community, it’s amazing to see it all coming together in a festival that is completely free for everyone.” The Sunday evening festival finale is the annual Scriptstuff Poetry Slam Championship which is open for anyone to apply to take part. More details