A personal selection.

Diana Turton hosted this intriguingly titled evening. The nights draw in for winter and an evening of poetry was just what was needed.  Readers – Diana Turton, Francesca Turton, Daphne Ross and Anne Bingley.

This year saw a record number of entries and a great variety in style and length. Brian Patman, who won our competition last year, had the unenviable task of selecting the three winning poems.

Caroline Mornement hosted an evening of travel poetry with a display of textiles from around the world to accompany the verse. Readers included Joyce Best and James Nash.

Joyce Smith from Evershot is a well known member of our group – her ability to recite entertaining poetry, often from memory, is remarkable.

Betty Davis knows the Helyar Arms well; or rather “The New Inn” as it was called when Betty was running the pub in the late 1940’s.  Her interest in poetry lead her to listen to our radio programme last year and she will be coming from Cheltenham to read her selection of poetry and to recall life in East Coker at that time. 

Prize winning poet Jane Williams from Wells presents an evening of her poetry. Jane is well known to our group having been our competition judge last year. Her poetry is always fresh and original.

Poetry, Paintings and Pizza! Sue Hedges presents poetry with an Italian theme and Art by John Carter.

Catherine Simmonds and Gini Astley presented Poetic readings and original music inspired by the journals Dorothy Wordsworth kept at Alfoxden and Dove Cottage. How did their time in Dorset help shape both William and Dorothy as writers?

Attendees were asked to bring a poem – either their own or from a favourite poet. No subject – just whatever they felt might interest the group.

James Crowden has lived in North Dorset and South Somerset for the last 20 years. Now a full time writer, he has had a varied career as a sheep farmer, forester and cider maker. In the 1970’s he served in the army in Cyprus and travelled widely in India, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.  His recent books include ‘Dorset Man’ and ‘Dorset Woman’. Both books document the lives of those working in traditional industries in the area. James has had many radio and TV appearances over the years. This was a very interesting evening.