This one day event featured readings, workshops and drama performances – with a lively book market thrown in for good measure. My preference was to hear local authors read from their books and collections, so I spent most of the day in the marquee where I was treated to a range of readings of poetry and prose.

Highlights were Nik Jones reading from 9987, poems from Andrew McMillan, a terrific short story from David Williams and the simple yet stunning poetry of Cynthia Fuller, which closed the event.

Alongside these readings there were workshops, theatre performances, readings for children and drama presentations. Truly we were spoiled for choice and talking to others who attended the event proved what I'd suspected – all the options would have kept me entranced and entertained throughout the day.

Indeed as I queued for a much needed cuppa, I could hear shouts of delight and snatches of song coming from different parts of the building.

Thankfully I also had time to mooch around in the book market where local independent publishers were selling a wide range of work from chapbooks and comics through to more formal poetry collections and novels.

Authors and audience alike relished this great opportunity to get together and read, discuss and enjoy literature in many different forms. People from all generations attended and everyone I spoke to felt lucky that they'd been able to come and pleased that this was how they'd chosen to spend their day.

The spontaneous round of applause for the event organiser at the end of the day said it all really – we would all happily have stayed for more.

POLLY MOYER
Board of Trustees Poetry Can

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