Write Out Loud is saddened to hear news of the recent death of Pat West, aka PVT West, founder and curator of Glastonbury's Poetry and Words Tent for the last 15 years.   Always providing an awesome line-up of poetic talent, the platform which Pat created has been a highlight in the career of hundreds of Uk and international poets and has entertained thousands of sun-burnt and mud-splattered punters over the years.  From performing in the nude to her inimitable handling of errant poets, Pat was one of those unforgettable characters, a person who embodied the spirit of Glastonbury.     

 

With the organiser's baton recently passed to Bristol poet Helen Gregory, the best tribute which can be paid to Pat is to have a storming time at the Poetry and Words stage 2008! 

 

Funeral details and a frank and heartfelt tribute to Pat, her writing and her activism, by her friend and Bristol-based poet Annie McGann can be found at

 

Photos from the 2007 Poetry and Words tent, Pat's final year as co-ordinator, can be found at  http://www.writeoutloud.net//public/galleryview.php?galleryID=93 whilst the 2008 line-up and a 2007 review by WOL poet Tony Walsh can be found at http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=352083782