The Food of Love, 11am-12 noon

Join Priyanka Joshi and friends for an unforgettable event where poetry becomes the plate, and poets simmer words, mix in memories and serve up a taste of home. From kitchens filled with laughter, to the ache of an empty cupboard, Come and have your heart stirred by stories that honour the meals that raised us, where love was passed around. Pay-as-you-feel event and some money will go to local food charities.

SPACE cafe, Castle Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AD

FOOD OF LOVE TICKETS…

‘The Unsung’ – Emma Purshouse will be sharing poems from her new collection 12-1pm

The Making Space, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU

Pay-as-you-feel event.

BOOK HERE…

South Asian Women Poets & Storytelling, 12.30-1.30pm

Coach House, Bantock House, Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9LQ

This special event unites voices that celebrate culture, humour, resilience and women’s lived experiences. Audiences will enjoy radiant poems, untold stories, and captivating performances that bring both laughter and insight. Priyanka Joshi, Santosh K. Dary and the poet laureate of Wolverhampton, Kuli Kohli, will be taking part.

Seeing the Trees and the Woods, 2.30-3.30pm

Join poets Cherry Doyle, Simon Fletcher, and Kuli Kohli for thought-provoking and beautifully crafted poetry from Seeing the Trees, and the Woods, the latest anthology from Offa’s Press. This collection explores our relationship with trees through a rich variety of perspectives—celebratory, mythological, environmental, and humorous.

The Black Country Women’s Poetry Show, 4-5pm

Jane Salmons, Marion Cockin, and Jane Seabourne are all accomplished poets with strong ties to the Black Country and its literary scene. Their work has been published, performed, and celebrated across the UK, and each brings a unique perspective to this engaging showcase.

THE ABOVE EVENTS CAN BE BOOKED HERE…

A morning of poetry and craft with Jane Seabourne at Tettenhall Library, 1-3 Upper St, Wolverhampton WV6 8QF. 11am-1pm.

Free event. Contact Claire on 01902 556308 for more details

‘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.

BOOK HERE…

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

GET TICKETS HERE…

’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.