Poetry Aloud

23/07/2026

Culture Matters is ten. Bookmark it!

24/06/2026

Poetry Aloud Open Mic
LIVE at Oakes Barn
21st July at 7.30 pm
Special Guest Poet - Lizzi Thistlethwayte

Lizzi Thistlethwayte says "My poems are rooted in the landscape that I am rooted in. Though I write not so much nature poems but poems that respond to both an internal and external landscape, and the relationship between the two. Poems that focus on what it feels like to be here, now, in a world of upheaval."
She is currently part of a two year multi-disciplinary arts project called Edge Land which is exploring and responding to the changes to the coastline and hinterland of East Suffolk as a result of changing weather systems, coastal erosion and massive construction projects.
Her poem Wild Man of Orford won the 2025 George Crabbe Poetry Prize and her pamphlet Angels and Other Diptera, was shortlisted for the prestigious Michael Marks Award for Poetry Pamphlets.
She has published two other pamphlets, No Map, and Met Obs, a collaboration with photographer Jen Lindsay.

Poetry Aloud meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month for an Open Mic session, except December.

The usual form of the meeting is that each poet gets to read two poems in the first half of the meeting, and a third poem in the second half. (No one is obliged to read three poems. If you only have one or two, then that is fine.)

31/05/2026

Some fantastic, in all senses of the word, poems were made at our Surrealist Poetry workshop on Saturday. Thank you to all the poets who turned up on a sweltering hot afternoon to play surrealist word games and write some excellent poems.

26/05/2026

Only two places left. Don't miss out -Book Now!
This Saturday

Surrealism
Poetry writing workshop
with Derek Adams

Surprise yourself, come and write something you didn't expect!

This workshop will help you open your mind to the unbridled imagination of the subconscious. Reveal new ways to revitalise your writing.

We will look at and discuss example poems by surrealist poets and play some surrealist word games! We will also explore methods used by the surrealists to find strange beauty in the unexpected and incorporate these techniques into your poetry.

Whether you are new to writing poetry, or a seasoned poet looking for something to enhance and energise your writing, all you need is a pen, notebook, your eyes and your imagination!

Saturday 30th May
at the Quaker Meeting House
St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SJ
2pm start - please arrive by 1.45 pm to register
Cost: £12

To book your place, email [email protected]

Only two places left, don't miss out. Book Now!

19/05/2026

Surrealism Poetry Writing Workshop just 3 places left. -

Surrealism Poetry Workshop with Derek Adams Open your mind! This workshop will help you harness the unbridled imagination of the subconscious to revitalise your writing. We will look at and discuss example poems by surrealist poets and play some surrealist games! We will also explore methods used by...

07/05/2026

Something for the weekend!

05/05/2026

Virtual Critical Poetry Workshop via Zoom on 12th May 7.30 pm -

a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone near you!   The monthly workshop is an opportunity to receive thoughtful, positive feedback on a poem you’ve been working on in a supportive setting. What works for people in the poem as it stands, and what doesn’t?  Get an honest appraisal, with en...

03/05/2026

Surrealism Poetry Workshop
with Derek Adams on Saturday, 30th May

This workshop will help you harness the subconscious's unbridled imagination to revitalise your writing.

We will look at and discuss example poems by surrealist poets and play some surrealist games! We will also explore methods used by the surrealists to find strange beauty in the unexpected and incorporate these techniques into your poetry.

Whether you are new to writing poetry or a seasoned poet looking to enhance and energise your writing, all you need is a pen, notebook, your eyes and your imagination!

Saturday, 30th May
at the Quaker Meeting House
St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SJ

2pm start, please arrive by 1.45 pm to register

Cost: £12

To book your place, email [email protected]
Book now places are limited

03/05/2026

Congratulations to Sally Warrell, this year’s winner of the George Crabbe Poetry Competition, for her poem The Rain in Dublin.

All here at Poetry Aloud are pleased to see the prize go to Sally, a fine poet and one of our regular attendees.

03/04/2026

Surrealism Poetry Writing Workshop with Derek Adams -

Surrealism Poetry Workshop with Derek Adams This workshop will help you harness the unbridled imagination of the subconscious to revitalise your writing. We will look at and discuss example poems by surrealist poets and play some surrealist games! We will also explore methods used by the surrealists...