Poetry is for everyone – and we love publishing it (From Echo)

Poetry is for everyone – and we love publishing it

10:30pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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WRITE a collection of poems, assemble them in a book, pay for the cost of printing more than 200 copies, and distribute.

No, it’s not a publisher’s itinerary on the journey of a book from the source to the shelves, or the self help guide of an amateur-turned-professional poet.

It’s what dedicated members of Southend Poetry Group have been doing for the last quarter of a century – all for the love of the their art.

This year marks the celebration of the group’s 25th anthology, an annual compilation of members’ poems penned during the previous 12 months.

Since the first edition came out in 1985, more than 900 poems by over 80 authors from the Southend area have been published in the series.

“It’s a testament to perseverance,” says Adrian Green, the group’s secretary and one of only two poets whose work has featured in every issue of the anthology.

“We made enough from the first anthology to roll it on each year and underwrite the printing costs for the next one.

“It’s not easy for poets to get published, so this gives them an outlet.

“I can’t think of any other local poetry group which has published a regular book for so many years.”

This is probably because there aren’t many other local poetry groups that have existed for quite so long, as Adrian explains.

“The group started in the Sixties,” he says.

“I think it was 1968, but it’s a bit of a mystery because we don’t actually know who started it.

“When I got involved in the 1970s, there were about seven or eight members and we would meet in someone’s house.

“After that, we started getting together in the library, but we soon outgrew the place, so we had to move to a bigger venue.”

The group relocated to the Railway Hotel, in Clifftown Road, which became their home for more than 25 years, until the beginning of this year.

During those years, membership increased from half a dozen or so to about 30 people, largely due to word of mouth recommendations.

“The members do a variety of things,” explains Mike Roberts, a contributor to the group and a published poet in his own right.

“There are doctors to firemen to retired people, and we even had a weight- lifter – people from all walks of life.”

Today, these characters and many others meet on the first Wednesday of each month at the Naval and Military Club, in Royal Terrace, to present and discuss their work, or the scribblings of other poets.

Further activities include public readings, joint meetings with other poetry groups or debating topics such as which one poem would you take to a desert island?

“It really is a lively club,” says treasurer Shirley Baker.

“We have a very varied programme and mix things up to keep it different for our members.

“It’s quite interactive as well, because we have a lot of people reading poetry.”

But Dorothy Turner, the group’s chairman, insists there is no snobbery during discussions of their work.

“When we listen to poetry, we don’t analyse it and be all academic about it,” she says. “We don’t take peoples poetry apart because it’s not about criticising it, it’s about enjoying it.”

So, where does this shared appreciation of poetry come from, and what is the appeal of this ancient art form?

“I have written poetry all my life,” adds Shirley.

“For me it is seeing something beautiful or experiencing joy or sorrow, and being able to put it into words and try to convey it to someone in a poetic manner.

“There are infinite possibilities with poetry.”

For others like Mike, who wrote an entire book of poems and limericks inspired by his experience of prostate cancer, the written word is therapeutic.

Adrian adds: “People who say they are not interested in poetry find themselves turning to it during times of need.

“I don’t want to be morbid, but look at the number of poems read out at funerals – so it can be comforting as well.”

While poetry can be a number of things to different people, and for many it is just a hobby, the group has produced some professional and well-known poets over the years.

Current member Derek Adams was the BBC’s Wildlife Poet of the Year in 2006, and another recruit Andrew Summers, is the editor of the Essex Hundred poetry book.

Adrian’s work has appeared in Romanian magazines, while Mike’s book P is also for Prostate, is on sale in Belgium.

The group also believes interest in poetry is currently undergoing something of a resurgence.

“Poetry comes in waves, and every time there is one of those, more people get involved,” says Adrian.

Shirley adds: “I believe poetry is surging forward at the moment. “There is a lot of interest in the media about it.”

The group recently enjoyed a taste of fame when they were asked to take part in a TV programme as part of BBC Poetry Season.

Presenter Griff Rhys Jones visited the poets for the BBC Two programme Why Poetry Matters, an exploration of how poetry is accessible, enjoyable and compelling, and which aired in late May.

“We were very happy to be involved with anything to promote poetry,” says Dorothy.

“It was a real privilege to be asked to do it, and Griff was very nice!”

Adrian adds: “It’s always nice that people in the group get some recognition for what can be quite a solitary hobby.”

The latest anthology, called Southend Poetry 25, is available from book fairs, public readings and selected book shops in Southend, and costs £3.50.

If you would like a copy of the book, or more information on the group, visit www.southendpoetry.co.uk