Always popular, these open evenings are an opportunity to hear both new poetry and old favourites in a live reading event that is open for anyone to come along and take part.  No theme - just bring some poems.

 
Susanna Pinney presented this lively evening of the work of SYLVIA TOWNSEND WARNER which has been having a revival in recent years. Described as witty and original, and known primarily as a writer of novels and short stories, her poetry also attracted a lot of attention. Her first book of poetry was published in 1925 and was followed by three more collections over the years. She became a committed Communist in the 1930's and lived for many years with her partner Valentine Ackland near Maiden Newton in Dorset. She died on 1 May 1978, aged eighty-four.

These open meetings always produce a great mix of poetry.  There is was no theme for this meeting and the poetry ranged widely with a variety of styles and moods.  Some excellent Christmas cake specially made for the occasion by Iona Lambe ensured that the meeting was a success!

Katrina Porteous, poet, historian and broadcaster came to East Coker on a rare visit to the South West. Her particular interests include the inshore fishing community of the Northumberland coast, and the cultural and natural history of that area and her poetry brought this alive in a vivid and exciting way. 
'Katrina Porteous, now being hailed as one of the most exciting talents of the North East: . . ..' (Alan Franks, The Times).
 

South Poetry Magazine was established in 1990, to promote poetry from, for and about, the southern counties of England. Since then its scope has widened to include poet-contributors from all over the world, but it continues to be edited and run from the south. Regular contributors to South, Tim Harris from the South Management Team, Joan McGavin and Stella Davis, who now lives in locally, read a selection of their work, and hoped to find among the East Coker audience, some new contributors to the magazine.