Poetry lovers in Ripon have been given a boost after three successful events brought the city’s community of writers and performers together for National Poetry Day.
Ripon’s community of writers in rhyme is regrouping two years after the former Ripon Poetry Festival published its final anthology.
The anthology was edited and published by Andy Croft of Smokestack Books and featured dozens of local poets of all ages.
National Poetry Day brings poets together
National Poetry Day saw the newly formed Ripon Poets committee – Caroline Matusiak, Lotte Wilson, Maggie Cobbett and Nicky Hasson – organise readings at the Workhouse Museum, Ripon Cathedral and Claro Lounge.
Caroline led each event and told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog:
Ripon Poets were thrilled to give a stage to more than 20 local poets on National Poetry Day. Our aim is to offer spoken word events to all who enjoy writing, performing and listening to poetry.
Our follow-up is Seasons, a workshop with Open Mic, at Ripon Library on 12 November from 10am to 12noon. A Gothic session in the atmospheric Workhouse Museum is also planned.
Working with Ripon Theatre Festival
Ripon Poets is also looking ahead to further collaboration with Ripon Theatre Festival in 2027.
We look forward to working with Ripon Theatre Festival in 2027 to bring national poets and new ventures to the city while keeping opportunities for our talented local poets.
Poetry enjoying a resurgence
The events come as poetry continues to enjoy a resurgence nationally.
National Poetry Day was established in 1994 by English poet, entrepreneur and philanthropist William Sieghart, in association with charity The Forward Arts Foundation. It has become the UK’s largest mass participation event for established and budding poets.
The Forward Arts Foundation has reported strong growth in interest in poetry, with poetry book sales topping £8 million, up 13.3 per cent year-on-year, while youth readership is at its highest level in 16 years.
Some 2.1 million children were preparing for National Poetry Day, with experts highlighting the continuing comeback of poetry.
Supporting mental health
The Forward Arts Foundation has also highlighted the wider benefits of poetry, including its potential contribution to mental health and wellbeing.
Beyond giving reading skills and classroom confidence a vital boost, 50% of readers say engaging with poetry actively helps reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
Planning future activities
The National Poetry Day events also gave Ripon Theatre Festival an opportunity to find out more about what local writers and audiences want to see in the city.
Katie Scott, Ripon Theatre Festival director:
Our volunteers spent a great day with Ripon Poets on National Poetry Day, hearing a wonderful range of work in atmospheric Ripon venues.
Our surveys gave those taking part the chance to tell us about authors and poets and the kind of events they’d like to see in Ripon. They told us about what was important to them as writers and audience members.
The information will be useful to us as we plan future activities, helping ensure that poetry and the spoken word remain a part of Ripon’s cultural mix.
A deep pool of poetic talent
Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst said the city’s poetry community was a significant cultural asset, with opportunities ranging from schoolchildren trying verse for the first time through to published authors.
Lilla Bathurst, Ripon BID manager:
It is clear from the previous Ripon Poetry Festival and the events staged to mark this year’s National Poetry Day, that the city has a deep pool of poetic talent.
From schoolchildren trying their hands at verse for the first time to published authors, they are a tremendous asset for Ripon to have and it was great to see last week and during the Theatre Festival in July, how businesses and organisations across the city were happy to provide a platform for them to showcase their work.
Further details about Ripon Poets are available via the group’s Facebook page.
Photos were taken by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID.