Shoreham Wordfest lines up busy October

Shoreham Wordfest are still offering a busy autumn – despite having to cancel their autumn festival.
John McCulloughJohn McCullough
John McCullough

Programme director Rosalind Turner said: “We still have plenty of Wordfest activities to enjoy, including, all being well, evenings of spoken word, drama and music.

“First up is National Poetry Day on Thursday, October 1. The Wordfest team are delighted to welcome poet Deborah Alma, founder of the Poetry Pharmacy. Deborah will share a short video for National Poetry Day on the Shoreham Wordfest website: www.shorehamwordfest.com.

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““She will take us on a tour of her Shropshire shop and share some poems, which will be available on our website. The video will be available to view from 4.30pm, followed by a Q&A session on twitter @Wordfest_by_Sea. The hashtag for questions is #poetrypharmacyNPD and the session will run from 4.45 -5.45pm.

“As we are unable to hold face-to-face meetings, there will be the chance to have an individual poetical consultation on twitter from 2-4pm @Wordfest_by_Sea. The Wordfest team will prescribe poetry remedies for the trials and tribulations of life and are looking forward to meeting you. Deborah’s video will stay on the website throughout October.

“And then on Saturday, October 10 we are launching our book of children’s poetry: Poems for Our Time: Lines from the Lockdown.

“The children from Adur Schools who have a poem in the book will attend a celebration event at the Shoreham Centre. They will receive their own copy of the poetry book and will be congratulated by Neil Parkin, the leader of Adur District Council, which funded the project.

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“The poems, which include entries from schools across West Sussex, are a reflection of children’s responses to the lockdown from April to June this year: thoughtful, humorous and reflective. Copies will be sent to the national libraries and the county records office. The books will be available for sale for £5 on our website and at Shoreham Art Gallery, Brunswick Road, BN43 5WA.”

Next up, on Sunday, October 11 is a poetry, story and music evening from 6-8pm at Shoreham’s Ropetackle – a celebration and book launch for the winners and commendations awarded for the Wordfest Poetry and Short Story Competitions.

“The competition judges, John McCullough and Catherine Smith will award the prizes. There will be poetry and story readings, with live music from Brighton duo Ben and Alfie. Tickets are available for £8 and can be booked on https://www.shorehamwordfest.com/events/poetry-short-story-and-music-evening-childrens-poetry-project-celebration-and-book-launch/

“The winning poems have been collected into an anthology which will be available at the awards ceremony and afterwards through our online shop and at Shoreham Art Gallery, Brunswick Road, BN43 5WA

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“Indoor performances are still allowed under government and public health guidance as long as suitable precautions have been taken, for example socially distant seating, no groups over six, use of facemasks when appropriate, sanitation of venue and seating, good ventilation. Both Ropetackle Arts Centre and The Shoreham Centre have carried out a full risk assessment.”

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• Talk is increasing of further lockdowns in the UK. What do you think of the situation? Join the Big Conversation and have your say on everything from healthcare to how the pandemic has affected you personally and how we make our communities stronger: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bc-worthing

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