As the clocks turned back and the moors darkened, November welcomed the inaugural Words Among the Heather, a new poetry, spoken word and storytelling night at Millgate Arts Centre, in the Pennine village of Delph.

The evening was a great success, with a wide range of local poets, artists and raconteurs sharing their rousing writing. There was sincerity, tenderness, humour and, above all, bonhomie, as a warm, welcoming crowd was entertained by the wonderful writers of Saddleworth, Oldham and the surrounding area.

After a short and sweet set from local musician Ian F Ball, the event stirred into life. Hosted by local writers James Lawton, pictured left, and Lorraine Reynolds, pictured above, Words Among the Heather opened with James reciting a poem from Saddleworth's most famous poet, Ammon Wrigley, which was one of the inspirations for the event (and the event's name):

 

     Like the wind among the heather,

     Just as careless and as free,

     Up and down this old moor parish,

     Let's go traipsing, you and me.

 

And traipse the performers and audience did, through a heather field of variety and voices. The ‘Vixen of Verse’, Carolyn Crossley, kicked off the open mic with her humorous and heartfelt poetry; Mike Rooke offered a range of serious, thoughtful vignettes. Sandy Parkinson earned the title of 'Mossley's own Victoria Wood', with her jovial horticultural humour; Simon Attridge delivered some haunting poems with real sensory resonance. Prose performance came from local writer, Jo Harthan, who read an uncanny and atmospheric chapter from her locally-set novel, Reaper of Souls - very apt for the spooky season. The first half was closed by host Lorraine Reynolds, with her ebullient humour and authentic voice.

After some libations during the interval, the second half saw another Mossley writer, Maralyn Tohill, skilfully spin a story of intrigue and laughter, set on a local bus; despite some pre-performance nerves, Ian Mosley had the whole room laughing with a brilliant debut. 'Poet of mindfulness' Ren Jebbett enchanted with poetry and stories drawn from her own life and nature; Kevin Wright moved us with a timely, eloquent commentary on war and remembrance. Local legend Keith Begley reanimated the spirit of Ammon Wrigley and the spirit of the evening, with his odes to Saddleworth, community and nature. The at-first-unassuming Mick Neary waited patiently for his turn, before wowing the whole room with his witty, heartfelt rhymes, all impressively performed from memory.

The final two performers, Pip Fowler and Cathy Crabb ended the evening on a Trinnacle-sized high, with memorable poems that left all audience members wanting more.

On a wave of applause and smiling faces, attendees gradually drifted out into the chilly Delph night, their souls warmed with words, community and friendship. The next Words Among the Heather will take place at Millgate Arts Centre on Friday 7 February 2025. Follow Millgate Arts Centre on social media for more information – and of course, see the event pop up on Write Out Loud’s Gig Guide nearer the time!

 

If you’d like to write a review of your spoken word night and see it published on Write Out Loud, email it to Write Out Loud’s news editor, Greg Freeman, at gregfreem62@gmail.com