The fourth National Poetry Day is on October 9. With the aim of encouraging every schoolchild to recite a poem “by heart” in class or to friends or family, the Poetry Society has produced a schools’ guide grouping ideas under the headings - By Heart, Out Loud and Mindscapes. Contact the society at 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BU, 0171 240 4810; or website: http: www.poetrysoc.com
CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Junior Poetry Slam for local schools. Forms part of the spoken-word steeplechase. Plus the Third UK Allcomers Slam! with a line-up of 100 performance poets. Details: 01242 521621.
BRISTOL POETRY FESTIVAL
The Poetry Can’s Stage, the Page 2, is presenting a line-up of local poets (tickets: Pounds 4,Pounds 2.50). Plus John Hegley, Jean Binta Breeze, the Bristol Poetry Slam, drama and jazz. Reservations: 0117 942 6976.
KING’S LYNN ARTS CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE Three local schools and musician and poet, Brendan Beales, will create their own poetry and perform Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood, 6.30pm (tickets: Pounds 1-2 from 01553 773578). Details: Louise Melton, 01553 774725.
MANCHESTER POETRY FESTIVAL
Anyone can add a poem to the Central Library’s poetry garden from 11am then perform it live between 2-3pm. The first 150 children to “plant” their poem will get a free Manchester Airport goody bag. The best will be displayed at Terminal 2, Manchester Airport. Details: Richard Michael, 0161 907 0031 or 0976 895 946.
HULL The City Arts Unit is flyposting the work of local poets and schoolchildren on every available wall. Details: Paul Holloway, 01482 615701.
CAERPHILLY
Poets on the Bus will tour the town and join in events at Caerphilly Castle, Llancaiach Fawr Living History Museum, Cwmcarn Forest Drive, libraries and schools. Details: Kate Strudwick, 01495 224455. Plus poetry evening at Blackwood Miners Institute with Dannie Abse and others. Details: Simon Hicks, 01656 767834.
BBC TELEVISION AND RADIO 2
Well-known personalities will read poems all week and viewerslisteners are asked to vote for the nation’s favourite love poem by October 9 on 0891 33 88 00. The winner will be announced in a gala programme hosted by Bookworm presenter, Griff Rhys Jones.
POETRY CAFE, COVENT GARDEN
Wendy Cope will read a specially-commissioned poem at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2, to launch a copyright campaign for poets. It will be written up on the cafe walls, printed on T-shirts and put on the Internet and its journey tracked for one year. (She has waived her rights for that time). Details: Alex Kempner, Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, 0171 395 0600.
COMPETITIONS
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Gillian Clarke and Matthew Sweeney are the judges. Pounds 5,000 in prizes for poems up to 50 lines. Fee: Pounds 4. Closing date: October 31. Send SAE to: CIC, PO Box 438, Cardiff CF1 6YA.
NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
Poems of up to 40 lines on any subject. Carol Ann Duffy and Andrew Motion are among the judges. First prize Pounds 5,000. Fee: Pounds 5; Pounds 3 subsequent poems. Closing date: October 31. Details: the Poetry society.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY DAY IN A PRIMARY, PAGE 14
