Poetry in the park success

A poetry picnic in Southwell drew in the crowds as they listened to readings and wrote their own verses to create a string of poetry bunting yesterday.

Poetry In The Park was just one of the literary-inspired events that took place on Sunday as part of the Southwell Library Poetry Festival.

Mrs Sheila Gallagher, the reading development officer for Nottinghamshire Libraries, said Poetry In The Park had been an opportunity for anybody to go to the Burgage and have a poetry experience.

“It has worked. We have created a poetry atmosphere and the children have written their own lines which have been put up as bunting,” said Mrs Gallagher.

“Some people have been so surprised what you can do with poetry and this week has been absolutely wonderful.”

Poet Mr Dave Wood, of Stapleford, said the children in particular had responded well to the poetry and at times it had been a struggle to keep up with them.

“We have been trying rhyming couplets and asking them to discuss some poems,” he said.

“Poetry is liberating anywhere you read or write it ,but it is nice to be outside. It has been a lovely day.”

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