Edwin Morgan

“I think of poetry as an instrument of exploration, like a spaceship, into new fields of feeling or experience,” wrote Edwin Morgan, whose archive at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh is now open to the public. For pupils or teachers needing to be convinced, the poster and cards for schools should do the trick, and once you’ve read them, you’ll want to visit the archive too. On one side of the poster is “The First Men in Mercury”, chosen by poet and playwright Liz Lochhead, “because it is so dramatic (a huge epic story happens before our very ears; so funny; and so bravely generous and open to the universal truth of change and transformation brought about by even the attempt to communicate”. On the other, some fantastic quotes and ideas for using Morgan’s work in class. Bawr stretter!, an exhibition to mark the opening of the archive, runs until July 11.

www.spl.org.uk

T 0131 557 2876

E edwinmorganarchive@spl.org.uk

Equality camp

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is inviting young Scots to participate in a summer camp and become equality and human rights champions thereafter. One hundred youngsters from across the UK will take part in Our Space, the second camp of its kind to be held in the Lake District. Applicants, aged 14 to 15, should have a strong interest in equality and human rights - including race, gender, disability, religion or belief, age and sexual orientation - and in championing them in their own communities and schools. The camp will develop the young people’s understanding of human rights, build their confidence and leadership skills, and encourage them to get to know their peers from different backgrounds. Building on the leadership training at the camp, the Commission will continue to work with them afterwards. It runs from August 9-13. Applications by July 3.

www.equalityhumanrights.comourspace.