Stanza News
Stanza News is updated each month by our Stanza Reps with reports on recent meetings, open mic events, special talks, reading groups and workshops in the area. Click on a Stanza near you for the latest local news. For more information on Stanzas please visit the Stanza page, where you will also find the contact details for each Stanza Rep.
May 2008
Introduction
Bath
Birmingham
Bradford & Leeds
Brighton
Cambridge
Cornwall - Camelford
Cornwall - Penzance
East Anglia
Edinburgh
Farnham
France
Goring
Guildford & Woking
Hertfordshire (North)
Isle of Wight
Italy
Kent (North West)
Leicestershire South
Lichfield
London East
London South East
London South West (Barnes)
London South West (Brixton, Streatham)
London North
Lincolnshire (Louth)
Lymington
Manningtree women's group
Nottingham
Oxfordshire
Portsmouth
Shropshire East
Southampton
Spain
Switzerland
Teesside
Wales (North)
* A very warm welcome to our newest Stanza Reps - John Haines (Manchester) and Clive Eastwood (Kent and Sussex Poetry Society). We now have 55 Stanzas.
* Kavita Jindal (London SW - Barnes area) will be the featured Stanza Rep in the summer issue of Poetry News. Maggie Sawkins (Portsmouth) features in the current issue.
* A big THANK YOU to all Stanza Reps who have completed the Membership New Ideas survey. I will be forwarding the results of these within the next few weeks.
* The 2008 Stanza Poetry Competition is now open - for further information, visit the Stanza Poetry Competition page.
Bath - Nikki Bennett-Willetts Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We meet on the second Wednesday of the month, except August and December.
* 'Uni-Verse' - a lunchtime poetry group that celebrates international poets and poetry. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 –18 Queen Square, Bath. 12.30 – 14.00. Drinks available, bring your own snack, sandwiches. Bring a poem to read either in translation or in the original with summary, or come to listen only. Each event hosted by Nikki Bennett. Visitors £2; Members / Students £1 Tel: 01225 312084 / www.brsli.org / e: admin@brlsi.org
* Wednesday 14 May: Nitasha Kaul, writer and poet (who talked to Bath UNA at BRSLI last year on Tibet and Bhutan) reads her own poetry
* Wednesday 11 June: ‘Inspirations from European Countries’. Geraldine Lindley invites you to join her for an open mic session of poems you wrote or read - in or about another European country.
* Wednesday 9 July: Susan Sheppard – Latin and Italian Poetry - open mic.
Birmingham - Jacqui Rowe Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The next meeting is 12th May. Generally, however, we meet on the third Monday of each month, 7.30 to 9.30.
* 'MAKING POETRY WORKSHOPS' - Birmingham. The monthly workshops cover a range of topics, both technical and inspirational, led by Jacqui Rowe and Meredith Andrea, with masterclasses devised and presented by leading poet Mario Petrucci. Writers at all levels of experience are invited to come to any of the workshops or masterclasses. All workshops take place on Saturdays from 1.30 to 4.30 pm and will be held in the beautiful Shakespeare Memorial Room in Birmingham, easily accessible on public transport and close to New Street Station. See www.jacquirowe.com/page6.htm for directions. Cost: £16/£13 for a single workshop; £60/£48 for 4 workshops booked at the same time; £99/£82 for 7 workshops booked at the same time. Places are limited so early booking is recommended. To book a place contact Jacqui Rowe through www.jacquirowe.com or jacquirowe@hotmail.co.uk or on 07971 018 825.
Bradford & Leeds - Bruce Barnes Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Wednesday 7th May 8pm.£4/3 concessions - Gerry Potter plus Open Mic - book early to avoid disappointment and ensure you get to Seven in good time. Seven, 31A Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3PD (just next to Casa Mia Grande). See www.sevenleeds.co.uk for more details about events at Seven.
* 19 May until 25 July: Elmet: The photographs of Fay Godwin, Brontë Parsonage Museum. Free on admission to the museum. An exhibition of Fay Godwin’s photographs from her collaboration with Ted Hughes, Elmet. Fay Godwin’s evocative photographs of the Yorkshire landscape inspired Ted Hughes to write verse in response to her images. The photographs are on loan from the British Library and the exhibition will also include previously unpublished manuscript correspondence between Hughes and Godwin.
* 20 June: 7.30pm: Simon Armitage - West Lane Baptist Centre, Haworth. Reading from and discussing a selection of his celebrated poems. Tickets cost £9.50 (£5.00 16 years and under) and must be booked in advance jenna.holmes@bronte.org.uk / 01535 640188.
Brighton - Elaine Ruth White Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Michael Parker is giving a performance of some of his poetry at Clermont Church, Preston Village in support of an Open House art exhibition (portrait). Dates are Thursday 1st May, Saturday 17th May and Saturday 24th May at 4pm.
* Also, on May 4th at the May Fayre in Queens Park, Michael will be giving his last performance of his Dragonslaying poem, and then giving away his sword to the next worthy bearer (to be decided on the day). For more details, email Michael at: peryglpoetry@hotmail.co.uk
* Hugh Hellicar is running a poetry recital at Hove Library at 11am on 9th May, and the topic Holiday Homes. All visitors welcome. Free event
* BRIGHTON STANZA ANTHOLOGY: Final submission date for the Brighton Stanza Anthology has now passed. The first illustrations to be received were sent to two poets for consideration and were very warmly received. The next few weeks will be very busy on this front with more illustrations being submitted.
* ONLINE MEETING SITE: The possibility of an online meeting place has been discussed and I am in the process of exploring options.
Cambridge - Helen Mort Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* 'Milton: Poetry vs Prose' with Sharon Achinstein
Wednesday May 7th, 5.15pm, Mill Lane Lecture Rooms
Cambridge is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Milton this year, and this lecture by Professor Sharon Achinstein will be the third in a series of talks exploring the life and work of this extraordinary writer and activist.
Entry is free. Contact milton400@christs.cam.ac.uk for more details
* Tall Lighthouse Poets at Trinity
Monday May 12th, 8pm, Trinity College
Andy Brown, Helen Mort and John McCullough read at this one-off event, where there will also be a chance to quiz publisher Les Robinson about running an independent press.
Entry is free. Visit http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/tcls/future%20events.htm for more.
* Susan Utting and Will Stone at Michaelhouse
Tuesday May 13th, 8pm, Michaelhouse Cafe
The last in our season of city centre poetry readings will feature Peterloo Prize winner and Forward Prize shortlisted poet Susan Utting, supported by Will Stone. Book sales, licenced bar and open mic slot at the start.
£5 / £3 entry - Visit www.cb1poetry.org.uk for more.
* 'Answering Back' - Stanza meeting
Tuesday May 20th, 7.30pm, Waterbeach
We'll be meeting up on Tuesday 20th to look at poems written in response to the work of other writers; poems that answer, question or provoke! Come along and share your poems, or just come and listen - new faces are always welcome.
For more details, contact stationarypoet@msn.com.
* CB1 Open Mic
Tuesday May 27th, 8pm, CB1 Cafe
The last open mic of the season, with a guest slot from the excellent Lydia Macpherson. Come along and read, or just listen - most popular poem on the night wins a prize.
£3 / £2 entry. Visit www.cb1poetry.org.uk for more details
Cornwall (Penzance) - Howard Phillips Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Cornwall (Camelford) - Helen Wood Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We have organised a one day poetry writing workshop led by John Lindley, former Poet Laureate of Cheshire, on Saturday 7 June. Running from 10 am - 4 pm, it costs £30 full and £25 concessions. Bring your own lunch. Contact Helen Wood before 5 May or after 13th May.
East Anglia Coast & Brecks (IP, CO & NR) - Fred Ellis Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Edinburgh - Aileen Lobban Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Farnham & Fleet - Val Harris Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* I started the Stanza in April and I'm contacting all Poetry Society Members in the area - some positive feedback so far. All welcome.
France (Vergongheon, Auvergne) - Jim Barron Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Goring - Mary Williams Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Our Stanza meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm - 5 Summerfield Rise, Goring - to discuss any poems you may have written recently. Everyone welcome. We enjoy the poems we read together, making suggestiions for each other's work. We discuss with interest new ideas as they come along.
Guildford & Woking - Sharyn Owen Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Hertfordshire (North) - Richard Copeland & Kim Simmonds-Hurn Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We meet regularly each Thursday at 7.30 pm at the Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City - to write and have a read-round of new work. Richard Copeland's website: http://richardcopeland.wetpaint.com/
Isle of Wight - Edmund Matyjaszek Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Open Mic Poetry Evening Thursday May 8th 8pm £2. QUAY ARTS Sea Street, Newport Harbour. Come along and join the friendly crowd at these well-established Open Mic Poetry Evenings in the Café/Bar. Read out up to three of your own poems to the attentive and supportive audience, or just listen over a glass of wine or cup of coffee. Sign-up by 7.55pm to book yourself a 5 minute slot. 8.00pm (sign up by 7.55pm to book your 5 minute slot); £2 (pay on the door).
* Brading Roman Villa Saturday May 3rd 4pm - Creative Writing Workshop with Shore Women's Writing Group. Tickets £5; places strictly limited so please book in advance. In conjunction with Friends of Brading Roman Villa ROMAN VOICES - Creative Writing Competition 2008. Closes August 23rd; details in later Stanza News www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk 01983 406223.
* Quay Writers: SCAPES @ Jubilee Stores Wednesday May 14th/21st 10-12am. Creative Writing Course with tutor Lydia Fulleylove. Tickets £55/50 for 6 week course (later dates June 4th/18th/25th/July 2nd). Exploring a sense of place, in all its meanings. Suitable for beginners & experienced writers. www.quayarts.org 01983 822490.
* MILTON QUATER CENTENARY - John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, Comus, Lycidas etc, was born in 1608. There are many events & publications to celebrate this event. Lance Pierson, of the Barnes SW3 Stanza, is giving a number of readings, details of which can be found on his website. Sunday 11th May: John Milton - Pre-eminence Lost? The Gatehouse Theatre, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD. 7.30pm tickets £10 and £7 conc 020 8340 3488 www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com. Contact: www.lancepierson.org.
* Also, check the recent issue of POETRY REVIEW as Society member & islander Robin Ford has a very effective poem called "Audrey in Whitecroft" which should be of double interest to islanders, as Whitecroft is the old, rather magnificent building in roughly the centre of the island, which was the island asylum until recently, but is now being developed, and the character of it, about to change forever I expect, is captured in Robin's poem.
* "Shakespeare A Catholic?" The Evidence For & Against - copies of this talk given earlier this year to the Catholic Historical Society on the island are now available in e-mail doc form - please send an e-mail to ems@emsbase.co.uk marked "SHAKESPEARE TALK".
Italy - Alessio Zanelli Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The rules of the VIII International Poetry Competition 'Poetry On The Lake' (edition 2008) are now available on www.poetryonthelake.org .
Basic info: closing date 12th May 2008; theme 'colour'; winner prize £400; entry fees: £5 for 1 poem, £12 for 3 poems; £20 for 6 poems, then £3 per poem, or €10 for 2 poems, then €4 per poem; adjudicator Jo Shapcott.
The dates of the 'Poetry On The Lake' Festival and Prize Award, to be held on the Lake of Orta (Piedmont, Italy) in early Autumn, will be announced later on.
Full details can be found on the above website or obtained from the organizer, Gabriel Griffin-Hall, at poetryonthelake@yahoo.co.uk
Kent (North West) - Anne Stewart Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Kent North West Stanza meets at 8pm in The Two Doves, 37 Oakleigh Road, Bromley Common, Kent, BR2 8HD, a friendly 'local' pub, with a conservatory space separate from the main public house. Street parking near the pub and in the streets behind it. Dates for 2008: May 20th, Jun 17th, Oct 9th (National Poetry Day - tbc), Nov 18th. Any 'field trips' we decide to go on will take place outside of, and in addition to, these dates.
* In the March meeting, we looked at the last Poetry Society competition winner's poem to consider what standard we might need to acheive for this year's competition on "Sloth"; a 10 minute reading and discussion and feeback on the poems; a look at the Poetry Society's plans for the 'big centenary' celebration in 2009; and a long discussion on the hugely important topic of "endings" - ah, if we could all only get those right every time!
Lastly, but also very interestingly, I think, it was agreed that the next meeting should incorporate some practical work: a look at form, iambic pentameter etc. If you have a favourite workshop exercise on this topic, please do bring it along. What we don't have time for in this session, we'll programme in for another. As always, bring a couple of poems to read and for feedback, if you want it, along with any discussion topics you'd like scheduled in.
Sally Festing (Manningtree Stanza) has been invited to join us and, subject to a query she herself is waiting for an answer on, I hope she will be able to come and give us a 10-minute reading. Mark has also been invited to read again as we were not full compliment last time (and I didn't want to miss him entirely!).
Leicestershire South - Charles Lauder Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The next meeting of the South Leicestershire Stanza will be held Saturday May 10th, 3pm, at Cafe Nero in Market Harborough (21 The Square, LE16 7PA). Please bring a poem to discuss - one that you admire or one of your own.
Lichfield - Stewart Derry Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* No news this month.
Lincolnshire (Louth) - Christopher Sanderson Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Louth Poetry Group meets the first Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at 30 Victoria Road … The next meeting is the 7th May
Last time we completed a workshop that Margaret Wilkinson introduced on the Mslexia website - still life of inanimate objects - brought to life. Many thanks to everyone for the fine outcomes.
For next time (7th May) it is to have begun to write a piece of work that tries to feel for what we can't quite reach, or explain; that place behind the clouds, or that thought just on the edge of the dream, we hope to put into words our individual unique moments of insight.
We are also for our June meeting going to venture out and about, find an inspirational location to visit; ideas and suggestion are welcome, please bring them along on the 7th May
The poetry group is also considering creating an on line poetry magazine called up-rising for which submissions are welcomed
Check the website www.louthpoetrygroup.lincolnshirewritingcentre.co.uk for details.
London East - Jenny Shepherd Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We had our "inaugural meeting" on Sunday (20th April) at the King Edward pub in Stratford. We had a really good evening. We got to know each other, read a few of our poems to each other, and discussed them. We all agreed we'd found it helpful and enjoyable. One thing that really struck me was that despite a huge range in our experience and the amount of poetry we'd ever written, we'd all produced something worthwhile, and could make valid and constructive comments about each other's work.
* Our next meeting is on Sunday 1st June, but we're making it 4:30pm this time, as the venue was a bit noisy, and we're hoping things will be calmer at the earlier time. If not, we'll have to think of somewhere else!
London (South East) - Les Robinson Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* All poetry society members are welcome.The next meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 6th May & 10th June 2008 - at the STARK Gallery - for more details please contact us.
* SPECIAL EVENT - we will be holding a poetry reading at the Poetry Cafe on Wednesday 25th June hosted by tall-lighthouse
London (South West - Barnes) - Kavita Jindal Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The London South-West Stanza meets one evening a month for an informal workshop session. The next meeting is on 27 May.
London (South West - Brixton / Streatham) - Wendy Dyer Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We're a relaxed group. Our Stanza meets monthly on the first Wednesday of every month. Reading and discussing both published works and our own material. Brixton Hill SW2, 8pm to 10pm - contact 0208 671 0107 for more details. Newcomers welcome.
London (North) - Katherine Gallagher Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Our Stanza holds monthly meetings at members' homes - usually on the first Friday of the month, for an exchange of poems and poetry news. Members are involved in organising and/or reading at events in varioius north London venues. There's a sense in which the Stanza is helping to consolidate local interest in poetry, especially with regard to facilitating support for local events and to acting as an information-exchange for poetry news generally.
In March, our Stanza group met for chat and poems at Joan Michelson's in Crouch End.
* Following the closure of Wood Green Waterstone's last year, two ex-employees have set up an independent shop - named by local schoolchildren, The Big Green Bookshop. It's at Unit 1, Brampton Park Road, Wood Green, N22 6BG (020 881 6767 - email: enquiries@bigreenbookshop.com). Proprietors Simon & Tim are keen to support poetry and poets with readings, assorted children's events and a Poetry Corner. They have a prompt book ordering service. Members of our Stanza are reading there on Wednesday, May 14, 6pm for 6.30. Refreshments. Everyone welcome. (Wood Green tube)
* Two Stanza members, Joan Michelson and Maggie Butt had their recent collections chosen as Books of the Month on the Poetry Kit (www.poetykit.org). The Poetry Kit started by poet Ted Slade, is a remarkable site, visited by 10,000 every day
Lymington - Keith Bennett Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Poems and Pints at Forest Arts on:
12th May: Queen is twelve days old fertility rites or sexy sonnets
9th June: Queen's official birthday later on this month still no honours for poets
7th July: Nothing for the Queen as we build up for the summer break.
* Two more workshops and a grand reading to come at The New Forest Museum and Discovery Centre - Contact Keith on 01590 675409 or email keith_bennett532@hotmail.com if you want to get involved, all events free.
Manningtree women's group - Sally Festing Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The Manningtree Stanza group continues to hold workshops at fortnightly intervals. Poetry Workshops in 2008 will be, as usual, at 10 Central Maltings, Kiln Lane, Manningtree, CO11 1HR.
We are endeavouring to write poems for part and/or choral reading to entertain Manningtree Library's book-browsers on National Poetry Day.
Nottingham - Richard Goodson Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Nottingham Stanza are meeting on Saturday 3rd May 11.15am at the Lakeside Arts Centre Cafe to talk about Ciaron Carson's 'For All We Know' (Gallery Books) - and to bring any poems inspired by it for workshopping. Lakeside Arts Cafe is just off University Boulevard.
Oxfordshire - Mike Kavanagh Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Two top poets reading at the Merton Arts Festival this term: Mario Petrucci on 1st May, and Bernard O'Donoghue on 4th May. Both
events are free to everyone, both at 8.30pm in the MCR of Merton College, Merton Street, Oxford (the porters will be happy to show the way) - Mario Petrucci will be reading poems new and old, and playing part of the DVD to his poetry collection Heavy Water; Bernard O'Donoghue has just had his Selected Poems published by Faber & Faber.
Portsmouth - Maggie Sawkins Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Friday 2 May – Stephanie Norgate and Maggie Sawkins reading from their first full collections at The Poetry Café, Covent Garden. 7.30 pm.
* Havant Literary Festival Open Poetry Competition 2008. Closing Date: 18-Jul-08. For poems of up to 20 lines. First prize £250, second prize £100, third prize £50. Judge: John Haynes. One entry only. Entry Fee: £3
Contact: The Poetry Competition Secretary Denise Bennett, HLFS, 11 The Pallant, Havant, Hants., PO9 1BD.
* 25 to 28 September: Havant Literary Festival. Poets invited include: John Davies, Hugh Dunkerley, John Haynes, George Marsh, Rory Motion, Maggie Sawkins, Donald Gardner. Our draft programme includes an extended poetry stream of workshops and readings as well as a special feature on John Keats, including walks, lectures and a new dramatised presentation of the Eve of Saint Agnes to be performed in the medieval St Faith's Church in the centre of Havant.
Shropshire East - Tony Stringfellow Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* PAGE ONE with Tony Stringfellow, this week features the poetry of American rapping poet Peter James, a dusting off of the covers of Great Expectations and an interview with past Birmingham Poet Laureate Simon Pitt. Don’t miss it!!! Fridays at 4.00pm and Mondays at 9.00am on 101.8 WCRFM and online at www.wcrfm.com - if you have a poem or any Litty Ditties that you would like to feature in the show then email Tony at tonystringfellow@wcrfm.com.
Southampton - Gil Dekel Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* Poetry Stanza Southampton meets monthly on a Wednesday evening, bringing poets together to discuss their poems, look at the work of others, and have a poetic chat. It is a supportive group for those with a passion for poetry. All welcome!
* What is the nature of creativity? A discussion group inviting your reflections on the nature of creativity and inspiration in art. Join here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poeticmind/message/3?l=1
* How much the poet should be present in his/her poem? Is a poem autobiographical if the poet avoids using the pronoun? For a discussion on these issues, and opportunity to contribute your views, see
http://poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2008/03/bselfsuspicionb.html#more
* www.youtube.com serves as an important tool for enhancing communities and groups, and this should be fostered by poets and artists alike. You are invited to join a new group discussing poetry and processes of inspiration in art-making. We are informal, seeking to develop a place where poets could speak directly to poets.
The group address is http://www.youtube.com/groups_forum?name=poeticmind&topic=kB9yd7Wdj7Q
And you will need to have an account with youtube.com, as well as ‘join’ the group (both are free and available to anyone). Contact Gil for help.
Spain - Christopher North Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* The distinguished New York poet Alfred Corn will be giving a poetry reading and talk on ‘The Globe’ at La Sede Universitaria de Benissa, C Purissima 57-59, Benissa, Alicante Province SPAIN at 6.30.on Friday 30th May. Entry free.
* The next meeting of the Stanza Alacant poetry workshop will be on the 20th May again at La Sede Universitaria de Benissa, C Purissima 57-59, Benissa. 5.00 - 7.00. If you wish to attend please let me know. Bring at least 8 copies of your work.
* The poet Terry Gifford will be giving a talk on the work of D H Lawrence on the 20th May meeting of the Javea Book Circle at the Social Centre (right by the Main Javea underground car park), Javea 7.30 pm – entry 2€.
* Bookings are now coming in for Almassera Vella’s one week residential poetry courses with Alfred Corn starting May 31st, Christopher North June 14th, John Hartley Williams 6th September and Penelope Shuttle October 4th.( full details www.oldolivepress.com)
* Tammy Yoseloff delivered a brilliant reading and talk on ‘The Narrative Drive in Poetry and Fiction’ to a crowded auditorium on the 4th April and followed up next week with a workshop in an orange grove at the Almassera Vella during her week long course there. For a poet's take on the cuisine that week check Rhona McAdam's blog http://iambiccafe.blogspot.com:80/ - entries around April 13th.
Switzerland - Emily Bilman Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* 3 published professional poets, Emily, Roury, and Marlene continue our monthly meetings in my home in Geneva to read, criticize, and comment on our old and new poems and discuss literary forms. We have so far discussed the ode and the sonnet. We also listen to poetry on cassettes. In the last meeting, we listened to Richard Burton reading John Donne's Love Poems. For further interest and if you are writing professionally, please contact Emily at +41762177286.
Teesside - Andy Croft & Maureen Almond Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* We have just had our second Stanza meeting tonight. An intimate group of seven people. We discussed the current issue of Poetry Review, picking out some poems to read, share and comment on more closely. There was also some general discussion about the fact that Poetry Review is themed and we discussed as a group whether this was appropriate, feeling that if it were to be themed then the theme for forthcoming issues could perhaps be made more widely known. We used the opportunity to workshop two poems from group members, which was again a very enjoyable experience.
Wales (North) - Daffni Percival Contact this Stanza Top Of Page
* I am in touch with two Poetry Society members in Conwy and am about to contact the other members in the locality. Due to the big distances between us, I am considering setting up an email membership whereby we send poems to each other electronically for feedback.
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