Poetry at the McLellan Festival

David Underdown sends us details.

The McLellan Festival will get off to a flying start on Friday 29th August when award winning poet Michael Laskey will read from his own work and introduce the winners of the McLellan Poetry Prize. Michael is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most intelligent and insightful poets, with a gift for transforming the familiar, even mundane, into something significant.

Michael will be leading a workshop the following day, Saturday 30th August, in Corrie Hall, 11am to 4pm. Home made soup will be provided at lunchtime. The theme will be ‘the poem as time machine’ and it is open to everyone. The charge, at just £10, is an astonishing bargain. Contact David Underdown on arranunderdown@btinternet.com to make a reservation.

On the following Wednesday, 3rd September, there will be an evening with the ‘April Poets’ in Brodick Bar. The April Poets are Mike Barlow, Carole Coates and Ron Scowcroft, a Lancaster based poetry collective that hosted Arran poets earlier this year. With contributions from local poets and singing group Vivace, this free event promises to be a lively evening. Thanks to Ian McFadzean for use of the Brodick Bar, which is establishing itself as a fine venue for poetry events.

You can find out more about Michael Laskey at www.michael-laskey.co.uk or hear him on YouTube:

The details of all the events throughout the McLellan Festival can be found here.