news blog

Year 3 Rhiwbeina Primary National Poetry Day visit

For National Poetry Day this year I visited 90 children in Year 3 (3 groups of 30!) at Rhiwbeina Primary School. We had a wonderful time talking about being a poet and writing 'Long Thin poems' together, inspired by this prompt from Micheal Rosen. We talking about what makes something special, made 'word ponds', wrote long thin poems, edited them, and then performed some aloud. A fabulous morning.

Rhiwbeina Hub (Library) Author Talk Series

On Tuesday 8 October I took part in the Friends of Rhiwbeina Library Author talk series at Hyb Rhiwbeina Hub. I read a few poems from my forthcoming hybrid art and poem micro pamphlet 'City Companions' from Hedgehog Press, and talked about the collaboration process with the artist Karen Pierce-Gonzalez. Also my Bridport Prize shortlist poem 'Dad was a typesetter', 'Arcade Hopping' which is on display in Cardiff City Centre, 'Weeping Willow' from a Dylan Thomas anthology, 'Day trip to the mountains' from the Cambrian Mountains Society poetry competition, among others. 

We talked about the creative process, editing, being a literacy citizen, the place for poetry in the modern world, as well as how themes and preoccupations run as a thread through collections. I finished with the benefits of guest editing and reading my Best of the Net, and Pushcart Prize nominated poems from Black Bough Poetry.

There were some really interesting questions in the Q&A, which I am still pondering. It was a lovely evening, and a privilege to poetry, place and inheritance, and hopefully convert a few attendess to have another look at poetry.

 

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Author talk at Rhiwbeina Hyb (library)

Its a bit of a way off yet, but really pleased to be on Cardiff Library Service authors talk programme this year, with a poetry talk and reading in early October, at my nearest library Rhiwbeina Hyb. 

More details to follow.

Writing weekend at St Davids

Wonderful writing weekend away at St Davids, West Wales. Swam in the sea everyday, despite the drizzle, and walked the coastal path from St Non’s Well. 

Workshops facilitated by the generous Claire Syder, fantastic company too.

 

Ty Newydd Spring Masterclass

Exciting news today. I have been accepted on the Spring Masterclass 2023 at Ty Newydd Writing Centre, run by Literature Wales. This year the class is hosted by Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy (2 previous poet laureates). One of twelve poets, I will be taking part in the week long residential, at the end of May. Time to stock up on new notepads!