Readings

Beth Brooke launched her new poetry collection 'A Long Way Down' from Dempsey & Windle publishers online this week. It was a wonderful evening with Beth delivering her work with her usual panache.

Beth's collection explores her relationship with her Father, who was in the Armed Forces, his PTSD, their continental moves with his postings and family life. Nuanced and worldly, with beautiful phrasing and precious insight, its the collection of a generous daughter.

I’ll be reading on 25 July at 8pm, in Porthcawl, at the last Sustainable Wales/Cymru Gynaliadwy Green Room of summer alongside Merryn Hutchings, and new music from Richard Thomas and Peter Morgan. Open Mic slots available, come along! 

Many thanks to Robert Minhinnick and Sustainable Wales for the invitation.

On Friday 4 April, I was delighted that my episode of Susan Richardson's 'A Thousand Shades of Green' podcast became live. It was available to listen to here. Susan chose seven of my recent poems to read aloud:

'The forest wants, we know this', first published by The Winged Moon

'Memento', first published by Atrium Poetry

'Day trip to the mountains', highly commended in the Cambrian Mountains Society poetry competition

On Saturday 29 March 2025 it was National Smoke and Mirrors Day, and Louise Longson invited me to be a feature poet at an online reading, as part of her 'Last Saturday' series on the theme of illusion, mystery, magic and all sorts of trickery. I shared three poems, on the slightly adjacent theme of women and nature, and inherent embodiment.

 It was a great night with fabulous poets such as JLMMorton, James McConchie, Jane Burn, Paul Atten Nash and others.

Ticket are now live for Cheltenham Poetry Festival in person events 7-17 May 2025.  I'll be reading at an online event, date coming soon.  Many thanks to Anna Saunders and team for the slot. 

Fancy a re-introduction to poetry? I've been asked to host a session on Monday 27 Jan, 2pm, at Lisvane Library, Cardiff. Come along and be reacquainted! More details below. Register at the library or via their Facebook page.

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A busy year with the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics committee is drawing to a close, and we celebrated in style with a festive evening of poetry, sea shanties, singing and general merriment! It was great fun to compere, and was lovely to hear Norrie Bissell (SC Geopoetic's Director) read from his new book, and Alyson Hallett (committee Chair). Penelope Shuttle read from her collaborative work with Alyson and it was a joy to hear from so many members too.

Delighted to be supporting Paul at the online launch of his latest collection 'it's all come down to this', on Monday 2 December. Alan Parry, from The Broken Spine Press will be hosting the evening.