Poets in the limelight as Ripon gets ready to mark National Poetry Day along the right lines

Ripon is putting poets in the spotlight at three locations as the city does National Poetry Day proud.

Taking place on Thursday, 1st October 1, there will be performances throughout this special day.

These will include readings at the Workhouse Museum from 11am-noon, readings at Ripon Cathedral from 2pm-4pm and an Open Mic at Claro Lounge from 7.30pm where readers can sign up on the night.

“The poetry festival brought the city eight entertaining and creative years of poetry with visiting poets, open mic nights, competitions, anthologies, schools residencies and more,” Katie Scott, director of Ripon Theatre Festival, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog.

“Although there is no formal poetry festival this year, Thursday’s National Poetry Day will still be marked and celebrated, thanks to Ripon Poets.”

Local authors will be reading their work at these three different locations across the day, with performers including last year's winner of the National Poetry Society's competition.

Also performing will be a poet whose first collection was recommended by New Writing North along with three winners from Ripon Poetry Festival and the winner of Wetherby Poetry Festival Comedy Performance.

Katie Scott said: "Ripon Theatre Festival has included poetry in the festival mix from the start and we are keen to see poetry, spoken word and literary events flourish in the city.

“All interested parties are welcome to come along to the performances and and share their ideas for future events and activities that truly celebrate the spoken and written word.”