Torbay Festival of Poetry

About

With eighteen events featuring twenty poets we have a full weekend planned, starting this year on the Friday evening. The programme includes readings, workshops, and a presentation on the life and work of John Betjeman. There will be plenty of opportunity to meet, question and discuss their work with individual poets in the relaxed atmosphere of the Livermead Cliff Hotel. There is much variety in this year’s programme. The subject for the Festival Challenge will be announced at the Friday evening event. Visitors to the Festival enjoy the convivial atmosphere of the Hotel, with its stunning views of the sea and Torquay. Torbay is famous for sunshine … it now also has a reputation for fine poetry.

Join us for a final celebration.

ALL EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LIVERMEAD CLIFF HOTEL, SEA FRONT, TORQUAY, TQ2 6RQ.

Free car parking is available at the hotel and comprehensive disabled access.

FREE EVENTS

Festival Challenge – throughout the Weekend culminating in the Festival Challenge Reading on Sunday 20th October

FESTIVAL CHALLENGE
4.15pm – 4.45pm for reading poems
Results at approx. 5.45pm. FREE EVENT
Enter your poem on this year’s theme, then read it at our impromptu competition.
Entry fee one pound. The theme will be displayed on the Festival Notice Board.
Small prizes, but large applause!
Chaired by Danielle Hope / David Perman

ON THE SPOT
Sat – Sun 11.45am – 12.15pm
free event
While on the bookstall, John and Brenda
often wondered why a poet wrote a
particular poem. Now poets are going to
be ‘Put on the Spot’ and asked why, with no previous
knowledge of which poem will be chosen.

OPEN MIC
Sat – Sun 12.40pm – 1.40pm
Chair: Brenda Hutchings.
Poets limited to one six-minute slot per festival.
Put your name in the box on the Book Table
during the morning. At 11.30am nine names
will be drawn and put on a list with a time slot.
A limited menu of pre-ordered light lunches
will be served at tables in the Function Room.