These are the first of what we hope will become monthly ‘poetry salons’. The first part of the evening will involve a reading and conversation with a featured poet. The second part is open to you, with short reading slots available. Please contact Chloe Garner (director@poetry-festival.co.uk or 01531634156) to chat about reading. These slots are open to all and are a chance to share your poems in an intimate setting with a supportive audience. We welcome experienced writers and those starting to read their poetry. Hopefully through these ‘poetry salons’ we can build a supportive community of writers and listeners in Ledbury all year round, as well as during the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Thursday 8 October – National Poetry Day!

Featuring Herefordshire poet in residence Adam Horovitz reading his poems and in conversation with Ledbury Poetry Festival Artistic Director Chloe Garner
7pm – 9pm, £5 to include a drink (no need to book – just come along!)
Panelled Room, The Master’s House
Adam Horovitz, poet, journalist and editor, is currently Herefordshire’s poet in residence. He has released three pamphlets: Next Year in Jerusalem; The Great Unlearning and Waiting for the Flame (Yew Tree Press, 2014). His first full collection of poems, Turning, was published by Headland in 2011. His memoir about growing up in Cider with Rosie country, A Thousand Laurie Lees was published in 2014.

Tuesday 10 November

Featuring Carrie Etter reading her poems and in conversation with Ledbury Poetry Festival Artistic Director Chloe Garner
7pm – 9pm, £5 to include a drink (no need to book – just come along!)
Panelled Room, The Master’s House
Carrie Etter’s most recent collection, Imagined Sons (Seren, 2014), explores a birthmother’s consciousness after giving up a son for adoption and was shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry by The Poetry Society. She also writes reviews and short stories and teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University.