John Lucas, a fine poet and terrific editor and publisher at Shoestring Press, has died at the age of 88. Sad news and a blow for the U.K. poetry scene.

John Lucas has passed away. No words to express feelings at this time. I, as many other writers and poets, owe him an immense debt as a publisher, a critic & friend. On a card I had from him only a week ago he’d written: ‘We shall meet for a drink again.’ I look forward to that John.

Tomorrow, 27th September, will be the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Graveney Marsh, the last ground engagement with a foreign force on the British mainland. Crew of a shot-down Ju 88 versus London Irish Riflemen. Drinks all round in the pub after. wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Graveney_Marsh

Very happy to have a poem in the new issue of @poetryireland.bsky.social edited by Stephen Sexton.

Looking forward to reading at the launch of Suzannah V. Evans's debut poetry collection Under the Blue @burleyfisher.bsky.social with Nina Mingya Powles 💙 Tickets here: shorturl.at/LxKNz

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine / and the shadows will fall behind you." Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham.

Very pleased to be on the Alpine Fellowship poetry prize shortlist with my poem 'Harvest Hymn'! A great roster of names on there 🎉 alpinefellowship.com/poetry-prize

Top top poetry content in the inaugural issue of Free Bloody Birds, edited by Alan Jenkins and Declan Ryan. Including new poems by @sheribenning.bsky.social, Ange Mlinko and Karen Solie, Mark Ford on Auden's Hardy and @bdralyuk.bsky.social on Peter Reading. freebloodybirds.com

Nice to see my poem 'Harvest Hymn' on the longlist for The Rialto's Nature and Place comp! Congratulations to the winners and commended 🌱

Delighted to be in the latest issue of @nimrodjournal.bsky.social with bits from a seedy sequence. Many thanks to editor-in-chief, @bdralyuk.bsky.social, for the faith.

Could not be more proud of this one.

Still emotional.

A brilliant thread this. Well done to @kg520.bsky.social for doing so many churches in one day!

Just finished the excellent CHURCH GOING by Andrew Ziminski @old-church-going.bsky.social. Structured as a complete church tour from lychgate to crypt, with insights only a seasoned conservator could give. Many splendid passages capturing both the beautiful and the numinous. A fantastic book.

Happy Easter from All Saints, Marazion

Recent reading - lots of notes made! 🌱 @stephenmossauthor.bsky.social

debate raging in the shop: does pancake day celebrate all pancake toppings, or only sweet ones? if i want to have ham and cheese on my pancake day pancake, is that in keeping with the spirit of the festival? let us know your thoughts, using the hashtag #PancakeDayBigDebate2025

Happy Shrove Tuesday! 🥞 Our Probationer Choristers are ready to flip pancakes as we enjoy the last day before Lent begins. Today is all about indulging before the season of fasting and reflection starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Enjoy your pancakes!

I strongly urge all readers to subscribe to Alan Jenkins and Dec Ryan’s FREE BLOODY BIRDS, the common-sensed and sexy journal of poetry and criticism we’ve been waiting for. I’m in the first issue with an essay on Peter Reading, one of my favorite poets. www.freebloodybirds.com/issue-one/sl...

The Royal Oak - Meavy, Devon A 900 year old tree that is sadly in terminal decline Whilst the bench is facing the wrong way 🙄 it faces the Royal Oak Inn that is yards from the tree it’s named after People have admired the tree for six hundred years whilst enjoying a pint

Lovely to read poetry at the opening evening for ALL THAT COULD BE LOST - a community photography exhibition capturing the wildlife of Blean, an area now proposed for housing. Visit from 7th Feb - 6th Mar @ rockpaperscissors.co.uk 🐞

Looking forward to reading my poetry at the opening evening for ALL THAT COULD BE LOST - a community photography exhibition capturing the landscape and wildlife of Blean, Canterbury by www.savetheblean.org 🌱 Friday 7th February until Thursday 6th March @ rockpaperscissors.co.uk