By Joy McKay. I was invited to attend a new show by local poets Rich Lansley and Jackson Davies recently (15/5). I’d seen Rich perform before and so had some idea of what was in store for the evening and took along a friend who had no idea and,...
Poetry
Poetry: Southampton poets Anita Foxall and Chris Davie
By Anita Foxall. It’s time to bring you more poets and poetry, and on this occasion, I’ll be sharing some of my own work as well. Writing has always been a part of me. I first immersed myself in the depths of short stories, only to find, almost unknowingly,...
Winchester Poetry Festival opens its globally recognised Winchester Poetry Prize for the tenth year
Since 2016 poets from far and wide have submitted their best, unpublished poems into Winchester Poetry Prize competition to be in with a chance of winning the prestigious top prizes and publication in a printed anthology. The first prize is £1000, second prize is £500 and third prize is...
Hidden Gems Hampshire
By Anita Foxall. It never ceases to amaze me when I meet incredible and talented people at the various spoken word events I attend. They are undoubtedly spaces for continuous inspiration. I met Stevina Southwell at one of those events, and after a joyous chat about poetry and...
Hampshire Young Poets Competition returns for 2025 with the theme Friendship
Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust are working together once more to encourage young people in Hampshire to express themselves through poetry, in the Hampshire Young Poets Competition 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Friendship’ and young people from across Hampshire are asked to write a poem of no...
Poetry: focus on Southampton poets Srishti Agarwal and David Spencer
By Anita Foxall. The Southampton spoken word scene continues to be buzzing with fresh talent. These two poets have brought their unique voices and captivating performances to Write a Note recently, and now share a little of their work here with you. Srishti Agarwal Srishti Agarwal is of...
Write a Note welcomes new poets
By Anita Foxall. Southampton is a city of culture, regardless of any formal titles, that is incontestable. As host of Write a Note, I have the privilege of welcoming poets and writers to share their work on a monthly basis, but I also attend and take part in other...
Winchester Poetry Day draws crowds of poetry lovers
Winchester Poetry Day drew crowds of poetry lovers to The ARC. Almost 300 tickets were sold for the day which aimed to celebrate poetry in its many forms. This year the well-versed and the poetry-curious travelled to Winchester from all over the UK, and from all over the world...
New ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ to celebrate the best poem from Hampshire entered into Winchester Poetry Prize 2024
In Winchester Poetry Prize’s ninth year, the ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ has been introduced to celebrate the best poem entered by a writer based in Hampshire. It will be judged by this year’s competition judge, Clare Shaw. The ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ winner will receive £150, plus three one-day poetry workshops...
Review: Be Bright Be Bold by Rich Lansley
By Anita Foxall. Be Bright Be Bold is Rich Lansley’s first poetry collection. To support his publication he has also compiled a performance show where he reads some of his poems, but also engages with the audience with his warmth and wit. Rich’s poetry has been described as charming...