Readings from the Bard’s poetry or plays.  

Heather Murphy coordinating the ecellent evening and many of our members read from a good variety of Shakespeare’s poetry and plays.  

Underground poetry in all senses of the word.   

Mind the gap – and expect the unexpected.   Caroline Mornement put together this poetic evening.

Foothold is a celebration of the West Dorset landscape in its changing seasons and climate. 

There are poems which explore the time and tiny place we humans occupy in earth’s history and poems on the theme of music (the poet’s husband is a composer), of love in old age and of love for a young grandson.

Pam Zinnemann-Hope’s first collection, On Cigarette Papers, was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Centre Prize and adapted by her for the Afternoon Drama on BBC Radio 4, in which she also acted, alongside Eleanor Bron, Greg Wise and Emma Fielding.  

As with many poets before and since, Scannell’s prize-winning poetry – which covered topics ranging from love, war, ageing, fear, remorse, and even verse for children – seems to have sprung from the fertile soil of a disturbed and damaged life. Yet his verse, greatly admired by the likes of Seamus Heaney, is written in an accessible style, often laced with an engaging dry humour. 

Jem Langworthy, who copy-edited his biography for Oxford University Press, presented an evening about this British poet and author who at one time lived locally at Nether Compton. 

A meeting open to anyone to read a poem or two.  Bring some poems to read or just come and listen and enjoy the ambiance.

These meetings are always popular

Hourglass was a poetry reading, to entertain, to stimulate, to give witness and testimony to the hard lives of sailors in war and peace.
A speaking of sea verse, written by Edward Hawkinge

This year we are having a joint competition with the West Coker Camera Club who will also be judging our poetry – and we will be judging their photographs.

The subject is  Internal Spaces – Interiors – The Inside

View our ‘Competitions’ page if you want to enter.

Bridport has a lively arts scene out of all proportion to the size of the town.  Poets taking part will be Gill Capper,  Andrew Dickson  and Ellie Sturrock.  A ‘poetry happening’ is a good way to describe their varied styles and a splendid showcase for modern poetry.  

This will be an ‘audio visual’ meeting.  As the sea and sailing lends itself to poetry and strong dramatic images this should be a lively meeting with plenty to interest everyone.

Bring a poem to read on this subject and send a picture to match that can be displayed at the meeting to accompany the poem.   We need the photos (in jpeg format) at least 2 weeks before the meeting.  Email via the contact page for details if you are unsure what is required.

‘Tyger Tyger, burning bright’   wrote William Blake – and many other poets have also been inspired by animals.  This is an open evening but with a theme. If you can find, or write, any poetry connected with animals, then this is the time to bring out your wild side………

So bring some poems or just come and listen.