‘A Pocketful of Poets’ – featuring Emma Purshouse, Steve Pottinger and Nick Degg, 2-3.30pm at Newcastle Library, Castle House, Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs. ST5 1BL.

This event is part of celebrating the National Year of Reading 2026 at Newcastle Library.

FREE but BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Please contact Newcastle library for more information and bookings: 01782 485312 or email newcastle.library@staffordshire.gov.uk

‘Verbatim Poetry’ with special guests Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger, 7.30-9pm at the Poetry Pharmacy, 36 High Street, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ. A special event open mic for Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival. All are welcome and all who wish to will get an opportunity to read. No need to prebook – just sign up on the night. £5 on the door with refreshments included in the ticket price.

‘Haiku Moments’ workshop with David Bingham at the Poetry Pharmacy Lab, High St, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5BQ, 11.30am-1pm. Book now as places are limited!

David Bingham will be at the Poetry Pharmacy Lab, Bishop’s Castle, to lead a workshop about haiku. David will lead us through activities to learn about the Japanese origins of haiku and the characteristics of contemporary haiku written in English. Participants will be invited to write contemporary haiku in English and share the haiku they have written. They will also learn about where to follow up the session, if they wish, by sending haiku for publication and how to become involved in local and national haiku activities.

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Two Wolverhampton storytellers and poets share their one-man / one-woman show.

Steve Pottinger’s Sweat & Mugs & Rock and Roll, uses anecdotes, stories and insights into life as a stage manager across some of the biggest festivals in Europe.

Emma Purshouse’s Poet Laureate in a Pandemic talks about loving the place you live, even if it isn’t always that lovable. Expect poetry ruminations about Wolverhampton’s Red Emma and famous Man on the Oss.

7.30-9.30pm at The Heron Theatre, Stanley Street, Beetham, Milnthorpe, LA7 7AS.

Tickets: Standard £15/Member £12/under-18 £6

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’Country Voices’ with Barbara Chapman, David Calcutt & Nicky Hetherington, at the White Hart, 10, Wharfage, Ironbridge, Telford, TF8 7AW, 2.30-4pm. An excellent and varied afternoon of poetry. MC Simon Fletcher.

Tickets £5 on the door.

Verbalise is one of Brewery Arts’ most beloved community events, where emerging voices meet world-renowned artists on a shared stage. Join either live or online, sign up and take part, or sit back and enjoy!

7.30-10pm at Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, LA9 4HE

Please email annthepoet@gmail.com to book an open mic spot of up to 4 mins, including introductions. Include your words so they can be screen-shared during your performance. Please state if you will be attending live or online.

Tickets: to attend in-person £8.50 / to attend online £5.00

BOOK HERE…

‘Poetry Open Mic Plus’ hosted by Nick Pearson at the Gratitude Cafe, Duke Street, Wellington, starting at 7pm, featuring open mic slots and a guest reading from Casey Bailey, former Birmingham Poet Laureate. Pay-as-you-feel event and poets wanting to read can sign up on the night or email Nick beforehand: nk.pearson@btinternet.com


Cafe refreshments, including alcoholic beverages, available.