For the next year I will divide my monthly reviews into Worcestershire Poet Laureate work and everything else.
Worcestershire Poet Laureate – A Month in Review
Week 1:
Media Coverage
An article about becoming Worcestershire Poet Laureate appeared in Worcester News.
I had my first slot with Tammy Gooding on BBC Hereford & Worcester Radio.
I read ‘Gander’ one of my Evesham Festival of Words poems.
Suz Winspear continues to write her column for SLAP magazine and this month the passing of the Laureateship was part of her feature.
Performances
Evesham Festival of Words – Poetry Walk
I performed a set of Evesham based poems written especially for the event. I performed under the Cloisters. It was a great turn out and an enjoyable poetry stroll around the green of Evesham.
Licensed to Rhyme
This month Suz Winspear (former WPL) headlined and I appeared in a Guest Slot at Licensed to Rhyme on Monday 3rd July. Licensed to Rhyme is run by Maggie Doyle & Spoz and takes place every month at the Artrix.
I was asked to do a workshop in August, but unfortunately was not available on the day. I have taken several other bookings for performances and workshops over the next few months.
Week 2:
Much of my current work as WPL is planning for future events. This week I put together a Halloween Event, an Earth Day Event, continued to organise an international poetry project and made contact with several community groups across the County.
Week 3:
Media
The story went into press.
Projects
Submissions Open
I opened submissions to Contour (a digital magazine for my tenure). Submissions remain open until 31st August.
Still open for poetry and artwork – so get submitting!
Young Poet Award
I also launched a new initiative to encourage Young Poets. This is open all year – so if you know any talented youngsters under 16, nominate them for this award.
I continued to work on the planning of a September workshop at the Jinney Ring. I met with the Events Manager and went through the finer details. I am very excited about this and bookings are now being taken.
Writing Workshop with Sculpture Trail – Jinney Ring Craft Centre
Writing Workshop with Sculptures and the Worcestershire Poet Laureate.
Monday 18th September 10:30- 12:30 p.m 
The Sculpture Trail at The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Hanbury, Worcestershire.
The morning will start with a tour of the trail and some time to write using the sculptures for ekphrastic poetry or initial stimuli. Followed by a writing workshop in the marquee.
Tea/Coffee and cake is provided as part of the ticket.
There will be opportunities to share writing and participants will be able to send polished work for at exhibition at the Jinney Ring in October.
In addition to all this, there will also be the opportunity to share your work at a reading in November.
For more information please contact me: worcspl[at]gmail.com
Official poster with all booking details out soon. Just awaiting the new trail photograph.
10:15 meet at the marquee for a 10:30 Tour.
Tickets £7.00
I am really excited to make a whole project for the poets, a performance/reading and an exhibition following the workshop. Poetry for Autumn, tick!
I continued connecting to local groups and the wider community and have made several offers to spread poetry buzz. I made some new connections.
We continued to make exciting festival plans for next month.
Performances
© 2017 Kathy Gee
St. Swithun’s Church as part of Watch Out Worcester, DanceFest. This event was organised by Suz Winspear and was incredible. I felt lucky to be part of it – even though it had to be a flying visit as I was already leading and performing in an event for Artfest.
I will blog a whole write up for this event and link back here.
I also performed in St. Andrew’s Square for Artsfest and promoted other festival events, this is something I have been involved in the planning of since February, now as WPL we tagged that element in.
This brought new opportunities which I will be announcing next month.
Poetry Extravaganza – Artsfest
I brought together 9 poets to perform at Park’s Cafe. It was a successful event which deserves a blog post of its own. Link to follow.
I was also presented with my now engraved WPL award.
© 2017 Leena Batchelor
Week 4:
I continued to communicate and plan the international project. Worked on marketing for the Jinney Ring Sculpture Writing Workshop, promoted WPL events. In addition organising other WPL appearances this Autumn.
Events
I was already an Artist in Residence for DAN/Artsfest, but decided now I am also WPL to be the WPL/Poet in Residence and promote both DAN & WLF.
I had an enjoyable morning at the Library (I will blog and link back). I also tested the Poetry Kit idea, which worked well and resulted in an even better idea/method for next time.
© 2017 Peter Hawkins
I also loved one of the Poetry Kit children asking their Gran if they could use this as a party game at their Birthday Party this summer. Poetry GOLD!
I also dropped off poetry to display at Canal Side Studios.
And that’s about it – a quick rest before heading into August.
© 2017 Rhys Jones
July a Month in Review (all the bits that aren’t WPL) link to follow.
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