Plymouth Poetry Festival

10/05/2024

05/05/2024

If you cast your minds back to the second evening of Plymouth Poetry Festival, those lucky enough to bag a ticket will recall a stunning night of poetry at Poetry at the PPL. We had a supporting slot from wonderful local writer and a headline set from one of the UK's foremost poets, , which took us through everything from rare species of moss to the lust of a Cornish seaside town, and introduced an original new form of poem a called 'Desire Line' which we can't wait to try out ourselves. Top it all off with an all-star open mic section (which Ella described as one of the best she's ever seen) and you have yourself a night to remember. Huge thanks to the folks at the PPL for having us, and to for the wonderful photos.

02/05/2024

Some photos from the Jawbone Book Launch and Poetry Showcase!

We had an amazing night at Momus Cafe celebrating newly published Laurie Page and Caroline Burrows, along with previous Jawbone stars Tia Meraki, Clare Morris, Kate Gold and Poppy-Jayne Jones.

Highly recommend checking out the Jawbone collection, and supporting these phenomenal word smiths!

Huge thanks to and Poppy for the photos.

02/05/2024

30/04/2024

30/04/2024

If you attended any events during the festival, please could you spare just five minutes to fill in our survey.

This will help us understand what went well, and what we could improve next year (maybe spacing events more, not having two events at the same time, having more open mic etc) and will be hugely beneficial in making sure we get funding again next year so that everyone is paid fairly!

https://forms.gle/HfhJ35iLwjs86Ehc7

Please share this far and wide so that we can get as much feedback as possible! Thank you 💛

📸: Hanna Collins Documentary Photography

30/04/2024

A variety of photos from the series of workshops at

We had a huge turn out for all the workshops, lots of amazing people at all stages of their writing careers keen to learn from some phenomenal local writers.

We had:
hosting “Lost And Found” which explored finding starting points for poems - a great exercise for those with writers block.
hosting “Interconnection and Celebration” which explored our relationship with the natural world.
hosting “From Page To Stage” which explored how to actually perform pieces, followed by which was the perfect opportunity for people to test out what they learnt in the workshop!

Thank you so much to everyone that attended and we hope you took away some wisdom that will follow you through your writing career!

And of course, thank you to for these glorious pictures, to for funding this festival, and to ***routloud and for organising!

30/04/2024

The biggest thank you to everyone who contributed poems, attended the exhibition, or simply shared posts! Our exhibition at RAAY was amazing and we’re so glad so many people engaged. wrote some beautiful 3 minute poems for you glorious strangers, many of which were also hung up in the exhibition.

We are so glad to have been able to work with Matt and Nic from across the entire festival with the poetry bookshop, and for the exhibition. They gave us some amazing ideas, and really trusted us with their beautiful space.

These photos are from the amazing who truly saved the day by covering photography for multiple events. Highly recommend working with them!

And of course thank you to for funding the whole festival, and to ***routloud and for organising the week. We did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.

30/04/2024

The last event of 2024's festival organised by the wonderful Spencer Shute. Port, poets and Providence.

Thank you to everyone who shared, engaged, booked, organised, held workshops and performed across the festival. We couldn't do it without you.

Thank you to Plymouth Octopus ❨POP❩ & POP ideas for making the Plymouth Poetry Festival possible,

to every event space who held art so kindly across the festival,

to every photographer who worked relentlessly across the five days

and, most importantly, to Mimi Jones, Plymouth Youth Laureate, who dreamt up this wonderful idea, executed it with dedication and drive, and welcomed in Poppy-Jayne Jones and Jonah Corren to make it possible.

We can't wait to do it all again next year!

29/04/2024

28/04/2024

Today at Raay with Matt Thomas and Harula Ladd!

Free parking available at Adelaide Surgery or along the local streets, Clarence is two hours free between 11-3:

Dropped pin for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qWs3Jo8s1yGVPKJt9

Dropped pin for Raay - Royal Adelaide Art and Yoga:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YR5HttHjjejvTTkm6

Please be mindful of the Half Marathon road closures.

Harula's Personal Poetry and contributions to the Walking Through Poetry exhibition are free.

Cash or PayPal are required for the bookshop and paper shop.

Happy creative Sunday folk!

🩵

28/04/2024

Reminder that the Plymouth half marathon is today! Most busses are cancelled or less frequent, and there are road closures. If you are coming from Plympton, you’ll likely take longer to arrive in town than usual.

Plymouth live article with info regarding closures: https://tinyurl.com/mwy58fr9

See you at one of the workshops today, or at our wonderful exhibition!

27/04/2024

Fantastic creations from families exploring Planet Ocean through the acrostic principle.

Today we discussed rhyming schemes, haikus, alliteration and the rule of three. We discussed favourite types of literature and what the written word means to us.

We shared ideas and memories about our ocean,

and crucially had a wonderful time exploring art through poetry.

Thank you to The Box Plymouth and to everyone who got involved.

27/04/2024

27/04/2024

Please make sure to take this into consideration when attending events tomorrow!

Whether you're taking part of just spectating, here's the important information

27/04/2024

This morning Poppy-Jayne Jones is running a free children's drop in workshop from 10.30-12.30 within The Box Plymouth

Exploring Planet Ocean Through Poetry

Children will be encouraged to engage with word associations, acrostic poetry and the ABAB rhyming system. Throughout the session, books will allow families to learn new terminology and add these into their work, thinking about our love of the sea as an ocean city and our responsibilities to this planet. With a hopeful and eco-friendly outlook it is hoped we will display many works within the Explore More space to allow others to appreciate children's thoughts about the world we share.

We hope to see you and your little ones there!

27/04/2024

This evening at the Barbican Theatre.

Tickets selling fast.

'Featuring the Bristol based sensation Aish Humphreys, the surreal stand-up poet Ed Tripp, and the Bard of Exeter herself, Ceri Baker. All hosted by the silly wordsmith Chris White.
Aish Humphreys is a poet, performer and workshop facilitator from Cornwall, living in Bristol. He has performed all over the UK and last year worked in Romania with Tongue Fu exploring the relationship between music and spoken word. Poet in residence for the SS Great Britain in 2022, their first poetry pamphlet, “Saints of Golden Hour” was released in February 2023, treading soberness, girlhood, q***r relationships and the gods we create for ourselves.

Ceri Baker is a slam-winning poet, performer and facilitator. The current ‘Bard of Exeter,’ she has performed her poetry all across the UK, recently published her debut collection “F*ck it, Pass the Salt,” and is known for her raw, honest writing punctuated by humour, humanity and a captivating delivery.

Edward Tripp is an Irish award-winning stand-up poet, with a penchant for all things dark and surreal. A frequent performer on comedy and poetry stages alike, he’s taken his work around the UK from A Press of Suspects to Milk Poetry, to WOMAD Festival. Whether screaming about spatulas or soliloquising about Uncle Connor “who isn’t in the IRA,” Ed’s an always hilarious, prop-heavy and provocative performer.

Chris White is a performer, poet and the soggiest bottom in all Exeter. The founder of Spork! Poetry, he’s a slam winning poet who frequently performs his work at nights and festivals from Shambala to Tongue Fu. He was the first Riddler in Residence at Exeter Cathedral, has performed on buses and boats, and likes writing silly words about q***rness, identity and ducks.

A night of spoken-word brilliance that you’re bound to love. Plus a Plym-erick competition with prizes for the best Plymouth based limericks written on the night, and some maritime-themed musical accompaniment from Dan Lotoczko.'

Hey look it's a night of fantastic poetry, comedy and spoken-word, at Barbican Theatre, Plymouth - from the sublime to the downright silly. Poetry that’ll smack you right in the feels, lick your funny bones, and make you go “it’s alright actually, this poetry!!” As part of Plymouth Poetry Festival

Featuring the Bristol based sensation Aish Humphreys, the surreal stand-up poet Edward Tripp , and the Bard of Exeter herself, Ceri Baker. All hosted by the ridiculous wordsmith Chris White.

https://barbicantheatre.co.uk/whats-on/its-alright-actually-this-poetry/

26/04/2024

Be sure to prep some poems for Sundays open mic!

Hey loves!!
Only two days until Word of Plymouth: Spoken Word Open Mic with Plymouth Poetry Festival
and the excitement (and slight nerves) is setting in. I can’t wait to have you all back.

🎤Just a reminder that it’s an Open Mic so the night really does happen because of you brave performers! Please don’t be shy! We have slots in the first and second half ready for you. Each open mic slot is ten minutes long, so if you’ve been preparing some poems please try and get your set as close to 10 mins as possible to ensure everyone can have a turn. I’ll be there from 6:30 to get your names written down. if you’re unsure who I am look for a full sequin jumpsuit… I’ll be surprised if you miss it. 🪩

📷 For this months open mic I’ve hired a really lovely photographer to get some gorgeous snaps. Please do tell me if you’re not comfortable (audience or performer) and I can let Drew know.

⭐️This month we have an incredible guest poet - Ryan Griffin! You may recognise him if you’ve come to previous open mics. His words are so lovely and warm and I can’t wait to hear what he has for us this time. X

🎟️ The even remains a free entry event, although this time I will have a donation box to give back to the pub. Louise and The Bread and Roses team continue to support incredible talent in Plymouth, and it would be lovely to give back to them. No pressure, but if you feel inclined all the money collected goes into paying artists of all kinds and keeping the bread alive in art x

That’s about it! Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday! X

Any questions feel free to DM 🥰

26/04/2024

Tonight! 🧡

With the additional incredible poet Abimbola Gbemi Alao 🧡

It's tomorrow!

Please come and celebrate marginalised gender talent in Plymouth at the tomorrow evening (26th of April) from 6.30pm

These shows, and the festival as a whole, are made possible by the community that surrounds them so thank you for being here: -

Tickets are pay as you feel via EventBrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyre-night-at-soapbox-theatre-tickets-875265852727?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GAGK-0S8dEVRNzq6WEv68TY4kG3YMVINijUlNvBn26KnD9vx_ZaFuZrY_aem_AdmWZ7fo1s8R-DoNgB34gBPSmbjB60DtbqVClHayME5-ncuuMBNDkICxln6XQzHhVNq76cCpPaN8w0V7R-HlYmBm

All proceeds go back into Festival running but I've made sure it can also be nothing so it's accessible for all.

With love Pyrelighters,

Pyre Events

26/04/2024

Brave the rain and go buy some wonderful books!

It seems to be raining this morning, so I might not put the chalkboard out if the rain keeps up. But, we will be open for Plymouth Poetry Festival Bookshop from 12-4, and we might even turn the heating on. So stop in if you're out and about.

22/04/2024

Still not sure which events to go to? Check out this daily breakdown of all events during the festival!

19/04/2024

We are hosting a glorious poetry exhibition and we need YOUR HELP! If you have any poems you’d be willing to share with us, either email them over or drop them off to
You may send as many as you’d like, and in whichever format that you’d like. Handwritten would also be very cool but attendees will be able to take poems from the exhibition so make sure you’re not too attached to whichever handwritten pieces you may be giving us!

We encourage you to add writing credits, and social media handles if you have any to share.