03/10/2012 - Permalink

October is poetry month in Shropshire libraries

Related topics: Community

Libraries across Shropshire are encouraging people to experience what they have to offer as part of poetry month this October (2012). 

All over the county local people and visitors can enjoy poetry book displays and hear poetry read out loud in a library near to them.  On National Poetry Day (Thursday 4 October 2012) there will be special poetry events at Church Stretton, Ludlow, Oswestry and Shrewsbury. 

Later in the month there will be Stand Up for Poetry and Time to Listen readings at libraries in Bishop’s Castle, Bridgnorth, Ellesmere, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, and at the library at The Lantern, also in Shrewsbury. 

Library Friends Groups are joining in at Bishop’s Castle and Bridgnorth, and at Oswestry the library is co-hosting events with Booka Bookshop, local publisher Offa’s Press and the Best of Oswestry Group. 

Young readers and writers can enter a poetry competition which will run throughout the month.  The theme is “Stars”, and prizes will be awarded in three age categories.  Winning entries will also be published online. 

Half-term activities will feature plenty of poetry too.  Market Drayton Library welcomes everyone to a Scary Poems session, and many library branches will also feature poetry within their regular story sessions. 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for libraries, said:

“There is plenty going on this month in our libraries, so if you would like to hear some poetry read aloud why not check the library website for your nearest event.” 

Further information is available from Kate Woodward, Pam Parish or Nicola Dawson on 01743 255031. 

Dates for your diary 

  • Thursday 4 October 2012 – Time to Listen Poetry Special at Church Stretton Library from 10.30am – 11.30am
  • Thursday 4 October 2012 – Stand up for Poetry at Shrewsbury Library: poetry readings on the hour, every hour from 10am – 3pm
  • Thursday 4 October 2012 – Poetry Special at Rock Spring Community Centre, Ludlow from 1.30pm – 2.30pm
  • Saturday 6 October 2012 – Gareth Owen and Liz Lefroy: “Double Takes” poetry readings at Ludlow Library from 2.30pm – 4pm
  • Tuesday 9 October 2012 – Wilfred Owen afternoon at Oswestry Library in association with The Best of Oswestry from 1pm – 5pm
  • Tuesday 9 October 2012 – Time to Listen and Bakeorama from 2pm – 4pm at Ludlow Library
  • Monday 15 October 2012 – Poetry Time to Listen at Bridgnorth Library from 6.30pm – 7.30pm
  • Tuesday 16 October 2012 – Bakeorama and Time to Listen at Oswestry Library from 2pm – 3pm
  • Wednesday 17 October 2012 – Poetry Workshop at Bishop’s Castle Library: a Friends of the Library event (workshop for adults on the poetry of Alice Oswald) at 2pm
  • Wednesday 17 October 2012 – Join local poets for the launch of the new anthology by Offa’s Press at Oswestry Library from 7pm – 9pm
  • Saturday 20 October 2012 – Stand up for Poetry at Ellesmere Library from 10am – 2pm
  • Wednesday 31 Oswestry 2012 – Scary Poem Collage and Storytime at Market Drayton library from10am – 11am. Choose the most terrifying poem and make the spookiest masterpiece this Halloween.