Delighted to announce the publication of my sixth book of poems Not Born to Rule, the astonishing and moving story of the last of the Stuart Monarchs. Historical, yes, but the themes timeless. A woman enduring personal loss and tragedy who rose superbly to fulfill her role as Queen.

Quite a poetic year! Two new books of poems, winning a national competition, reading at CheltPoetryFestival, Stroud, Chipping Norton, Aviva Studios; Poetry Together with a local school, BBC Upload; poems and review in the Candyman‘s Trumpet, ( thanks to Nigel Kent and Jack Caradoc).

Well, what an energy-packed and inspirational day it was. 600 Primary Age students, superb compèring by Gyles Brandreth, brilliant organisation by Laura Skinner and her Dukes Education Team, buzzy workshops and a lovely audience with whom to share my winning poem, Pomegranate.

I am absolutely delighted to be going to the Aviva Studios in Manchester on Friday to join the Poetry Together National Event, a great initiative to bring older and younger people to share the pleasure of POETRY; write, read, perform, catch the marvellous in a few well-honed words.

If you are in Stroud on the afternoon of the 8th, come to the Stroud hotel at 3pm to hear some great poetry.

What a creative year, my next book of poems. Images, earth songs, human song, worry, sadness, humour, word-play, homage, reflection. The world offers endless inspiration!

My new book of poems, Joining the Ring, is now on sale, celebrating those moments which stop you in your tracks: also those longer moments of reflection.

Black Bough Poetry Open Mics are such life-enhancing events, bursting with original and high quality poems, generous listening and superbly curated by Matthew Smith, with an unbeatable mix of passion and forensic comment, always looking for the pearl in the oyster.

Really looking forward to reading on June 9th at 2pm at Cirencester Library. Also open mic and refreshments. Got something you would like to share? Help us celebrate our second birthday as Writers in the Library.

Really looking forward to reading on June 9th at 2pm at Cirencester Library. Also open mic and refreshments. Got something you would like to share? Help us celebrate our second birthday as Writers in the Library.

Inspirational evening yesterday at The Crown and Sceptre in Stroud, listening to superb open mics, subtle and complex reading by Mark Corcoran and then sharing some of my new poems with a very engaged audience. Many thanks to Adam Horovitz for his invitation and hosting.

Many thanks to the very attentive and engaged audience today at Cheltenham Poetry Festival, to Anna Saunders for compèring so brilliantly and to Zoe and the wonderful volunteers for their superb organisation. Finally to my fellow poets, Lesley Curwen and Beth Brooke.

Just been to Chipping Campden Campden to hear a master musician perform the complex and sublime last three piano sonatas of Beethoven. Transported to places ethereal.

Cirencester Library, June 9th at 2pm, I have been invited to share some of my new poems. So hope to see you there and bring something to share in the open mic. Refreshments, open mic, lovely audience. Little risk of snow.

Yikes! The day approaches! What to read, what to read? Oh yes. If you want to find out, you’ll have to come.

Honoured to have been invited. Will be reading from The Canticles of Spring.

May 14th, 2pm, Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham. Delighted to be sharing the platform with two other fine poets, Beth Brooke and Lesley Curwen. Yes, the Poetry Festival!!

Blissful afternoon watching Liverpool winning The Premier League.

Only a month to go before I am reading at the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. May 14th at 2pm in the Playhouse Theatre. Tickets available on-line. I will be reading from my new book, The Canticles of Spring. Be great to see you there.

Powerful and engaging performance by Zoe Brooks yesterday at Cirencester Library. Followed by a varied open mic. Good to welcome newcomers as well. Many thanks, Zoe.

There is still time to buy your tickets for this. Don’t leave it too long though!

I am looking forward to reading from my new book, The Canticles of Spring. And Spring is here, so come and join the poetry party.

The cafe was full and lively, bursting with creativity and attentive listeners. Great open mic and many thanks to the engaged and supportive audience as I read my work. Brilliant work by Olivia and Hannah. The first of many such events.

Cirencester Waterstones..Tomorrow at 6pm, their first Poetry Event, open mic, cakes and myself as their first guest author, reading from my new book, The Canticles of Spring…and Spring is singing here. Come along, bring a friend, family. Or just come for an hour.

Cirencester Waterstones..Tomorrow at 6pm, their first Poetry Event, open mic, cakes and myself as their first guest author, reading from my new book, The Canticles of Spring…and Spring is singing here. Come along, bring a friend, family. Or just come for an hour.

I was thrilled to be invited to read at the Cheltenham Poetry Festival this year and delighted to be reading at this gig. I have new work to share, so do come and bring a friend, no two, no, why stop at three?

Poetry Together: brings children and older people together to share the pleasure of poetry. Just heard that I won the older persons category prize. Surprised, yes! But the bigger pleasure was working with pupils from Powell’s School, Cirencester.

Many thanks to the wonderful and expert team today. A lovely session of sales and conversations with literature loving customers. The shop is not just a bookshop, it is an active and passionate promoter of culture and cultural life. Floreat!

Really pleased to be reading some of my new poems on March25th at Cirencester Waterstones, 6pm. Be great to see you there. There may be cake. FREE ENTRY.

My Saturday signing at Kenilworth Bookshop on March 15th is coming closer. 10.30- 1.30. Promoting my new book of poems, The Canticles of Spring. Come and join me, it will be good to meet you and chat about poetry…and most things else. The Canticles of Spring.

Many thanks to John, Kim and the audience/ open mikers last night for their poems on the theme of love….many lovely lines and images and for being such attentive listeners when I was reading. Hope to see some of you on March 15th at the Kenilworth Bookshop, Saturday signing.

Really looking forward to sharing some of this work in Kenilworth on February 20th at the Tree House Bookshop at 7.30pm and to listening to the open mic. Many thanks to John and Kim for the invitation.

Next month, Writers in the Library, Cirencester, Match 10th at 2pm, guest author is Penny Haworth from Cheltenham. Come and bring something to share or just listen. Always surprises, always much to enjoy.

Writers in the Library, Cirencester yesterday when our guest author was local poet Iris Anne Lewis, reading some of her collection, Amber. Beautifully read to a fully engaged audience. Then the pleasures of the open mic, where local writers showcase a little of their skilled and imaginative work.

Many thanks to Philip and Caroline Rush for organising such an immersive event last night in Stroud, big thanks to the lovely audience who came in from the cold to hear the work of five poets, including myself. Wonderful.

Really looking forward to sharing some of this work in Kenilworth on February 20th at the Tree House Bookshop at 7.30pm and to listening to the open mic. Many thanks to John and Kim for the invitation.

Really looking forward to reading some poems from The Light will Always Return at Stroud Museum on February 5th at 8pm and listening to the work of fellow bards.

Correction, Correction! This event is on Monday February 10th at 2pm, not the 13th. Apologies for the mistake.

If you enjoy listening to authors reading their work to a live audience and live in or near Cirencester, then join us…FREE ENTRY…on February 13th at 2pm in Cirencester Library to hear Iris Anne Lewis share some of her wonderful poems. Bring something you would like to share. Come and enjoy!

If you enjoy listening to authors reading their work to a live audience and live in or near Cirencester, then join us…FREE ENTRY…on February 13th at 2pm in Cirencester Library to hear Iris Anne Lewis share some of her wonderful poems. Bring something you would like to share. Come and enjoy!

Oh Michael Longley, gone but not gone, the words, the humanity, the begetter of such inspiration. Angel Hill kickstarted me, opened so many lyrical possibilities. I hope my words of gratitude find you among your beloved birds and otters.

Prayer Songs for Flesh and Future by Adam Horovitz is simply stunning. A fifteen sonnet sequence about Orpheus and Eurydice, transposed to modern times is a remarkable combination of form with muscular and lyrical writing. Poetry at its best.

At Rodborough URC today, a superb event. Twenty of the poems of JLM Morton were read by members of the “audience” with Juliette in attendance. Varied voices reading beautifully crafted and powerful work. Might be an idea to publicise future events on GWN website and newsletter?

Thrilled to be reading some poems from my third book, The Light will Always Return, on February 5th at 8pm, Museum in the Park, Stroud. Free admission, refreshments.

A great evening of poems hosted by Matthew Smith of Black Bough. Such skill and variety from start to finish. Wonderful how a group of strangers can get along so well.

Cirencester Library, January 13th at 2pm, come and listen to inspirational poet and publisher Philip Rush sharing some of his beautiful work; and bring something of your own to share or another author. Or just come! FREE EVENT. Writers in the Library, every second Monday.The place to be!

Nigel Kent’s slim volume of poems, Sent, ( Hedgerow Press ) is certainly not slim on content. Taking the theme of letters and communications, he weaves a set of variations whose articulate language conveys anger, resignation, magic, compassion, humour.Each story packs a punch,some a tear or smile.