Poetry-generating bicycle, poetry on the beach ... what's happening near you on National Poetry Day? The theme is the environment
Today, Thursday 6 October is National Poetry Day, with this year's theme the environment, and a host of poetry events taking place, according to the National Poetry Day website. Write Out Loud's Gig Guide lists regular open-mic events as such Coventry's Fire and Dust, Hull's Away With Words, and Manchester's Speak Easy that are meeting on this auspicious day. In addition, the Ted Hughes award winner Maggie Sawkins will be reading from her new collection, The House Where Courage Lives, at Chichester library, starting at 7pm. There’s also an open mic, plus music on classical guitar by Linda Kelsall-Barnett and a glass of wine. Tickets (incl. wine/soft drink) £6 from the Library, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QJ. Tel 01243 777351. The event is organised by South Downs poetry festival.
Winston Plowes and his random poetry generating bicycle - 'The Spoke and Word' - will be appearing in the foyer of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth from 11am - 3pm. The event is free with admission to the museum.
North Tyneside Libraries will be launching their inaugural Poetry Tyne competition, with judges Elaine Cusak and Rob Walton, at Whitley Bay Customer First Centre at 7pm. Elaine and Rob will reading some of their poems and encouraging others to take up open floor spots. It's a free event, but booking is essential.
Liverpool's Open Eye Gallery will be bringing together more than 30 readers through the day, sharing poems about the environment.
It's the opening day of the Edward Thomas literary festival at Petersfield museum and art gallery in Hampshire.
Poetry on the Beach will be taking place at the South Lookout in Aldeburgh from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Members of Suffolk Poetry Society will be bringing poems on the environment to declaim to the waves, the seagulls, passers-by and fellow poets.
Local poets Derek Adams, Julia Duke and Alex Davis will be taking part in a special National Poetry Day reading at Woodbridge library in Suffolk, starting at 7.30pm.
You can find a detailed list of National Poetry Day events on the website here
