Stars of the spoken word have given high praise to a fabulous Morecambe Poetry Festival.
The event held last weekend pulled in poetry fans from far and wide, and was headlined by some of the biggest names of the genre.
TV poet Pam Ayres, impressionist and writer Alistair McGowan, singer-songwriter and poet Mike Harding, writer, poet and TV/film producer Henry Normal, legendary poet Lemn Sissay MBE and writer Donna Ashworth were all part of the line-up regaling audiences inside Morecambe Winter Gardens.
Donna Ashworth, a Sunday Times best-selling author and poet, posted on her Facebook page that: "The Morecambe Poetry Festival was just wonderful.
"Firstly, to be invited was a real welcome into a community I didn’t feel a part of. Turns out, they are warm, inclusive, funny and real. An absolute mile away from the highbrow literary gatekeepers I have encountered along the way.
"The poetry ‘community’ that exists on our streets and in our entertainment venues consists of real people releasing their creativity in the way that feels right.
"I met Pam Ayres! A moment! She was warm and welcoming as you would very well imagine.
"I met Alistair McGowan whose poetry is as funny as he is and yet deep, enquiring, sentimental and profound. He put on an electric performance I must say. Henry Normal is my new favourite human. He took me under his wing, understanding my rookie status, and made me feel that I ‘could’.
"I also met and watched perform the winners of the poetry competition I judged. It was lovely to see the owners and hear it performed live. They were amazing."
Here is Lemn Sissay MBE performing at the festival.
Posting on his Facebook page, Henry Normal said: "What a great festival this is.
"Also watched and met Donna Ashworth, Robin Ince, Tony Walsh, Ian McMillan, Attila the Stockbroker and Raymond Antrobus. Recorded a set as part of the BBC Radio show The Verb."
Alistair McGowan, Pam Ayres and Henry Normal are pictured below backstage at the Poetry Festival. Photo from Henry Normal's Facebook page.
Attila the Stockbroker, a leading performance punk poet, wrote that: "Morecambe Poetry Festival is by far the best one I’ve ever performed at, and I’ve done hundreds in the past 44 years. It’s utterly brilliant. Here’s why.
"Every featured poet has material which is accessible and in the widest author possible sense relevant to everyday human experience.
"Every featured poet has the capacity to perform their work audibly, addressing the audience rather than their own feet, and, if under the influence of alcohol, at a level which aids the performance rather than turning it into a total shambles.
"The many open mic sessions are brilliantly run and the general standard is ace.
"There’s proper beer, not just WINE.
"The whole thing is promoted in places where people who wouldn’t perhaps think of going to a ‘poetry festival’ have a good chance of finding out about it.
"This is not always the case.
"Congrats to brilliant organiser Matt Panesh and all the lovely friendly volunteers."
WATCH Pam Ayres performing at Morecambe Poetry Festival and an interview with Matilda Walden (credit Matilda River Walden YouTube channel).
As part of the festival, the BBC hosted two of its leading Radio 4 spoken word and performance shows at the Winter Gardens - Loose Ends on the Friday, and The Verb presented by Ian McMillan on the Saturday.
Pictured below are Alison Covey, Pam Ayres and Matt Panesh.
Matt Panesh, speaking after the festival, said: "It was fantastic, it felt like a tipping point with Radio 4 there.
"I've already had people asking about next year and compliments pretty much from everyone who was involved from poets to punters.
"Everybody loved it. I'm still in a bit of a daze!
"There are a few improvements we can make, nothing is perfect, and they are in hand.
"But it's still only our third edition, and to be where we are after two years is just incredible. I think we've really caught the imagination of people in the town and who come from further afield, including Aberdeen, Chesterfield and even Indianapolis!"
The Kings Arms and Morecambe Library also hosted events at the festival.
There was also a poetry workshop called 'So You Think You Can't Write a Poem, Let us Change Your Mind' where budding poets had the chance to write their own work and have it published.
LISTEN to festival organiser Matt Panesh and Paul Fisher's monthly 'Decadent Airwaves' poetry and spoken word show on Beyond Radio every first Thursday in the month from 7pm.
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