I was a little unsure about joining Mole Valley Poets back in 2003. They were probably all much better than me. I might not be good enough. I’d have to share my writing with people who knew about poetry as opposed to friends and family, all predisposed to be appreciative (although there were some who thought it was only poetry if it had a proper rhyme scheme and went dah di dah di dah!). My friend, the then chair, Ali Jesson, told me to get over myself and just join – and I have never regretted it. I’ve loved being part of this supportive group of poets. I have gained from friendship and encouragement and being part of a small community which has enabled me to grow in confidence and flourish as a writer – and not just as a poet.  

Inevitably we have seen changes in membership, venues, and more but the group has consistently provided mutual support and encouragement, and exposure to a range of approaches and styles, from haiku and tanka to concrete poetry and everything in between. One member summed up the benefits as “constant encouragement, support and challenge from people who understand the power and importance of poetry and are serious about writing it”.

For those who seek publication the group has been a good source of support – and many members have seen poems published in magazines, success in competitions, and collections produced. Some have focused more on working within the local community, collaborating with other writers, with artists, photographers, theatre makers and musicians and working with these groups has been a feature of life.

Group activities include Wild Poet Walks around Surrey, anthologies, an annual Poetry Pub, and readings in libraries, churches, pubs, and outdoors. We have taken part in local celebrations at harvest time, picnic and poem events in the summer, and distributed Christmas collections to churches and care homes.

As 2025 has been our jubilee year we have made special efforts to celebrate. It has been a joy to publish a special jubilee anthology, Otherworlds, and to involve friends from other local groups in open-mic events in our local Quaker meeting house, and at one of our nearby National Trust properties, Leith Hill Place, where we have also exhibited poems around the building.

 

Mole Valley Poets at Leith Hill Place 

 

Underlying all of this are our monthly meetings which combine feedback sessions on work in progress with increasing our knowledge and understanding with discussions on specific topics and introducing each other to the work of favoured poets. It serves to increase our technical skills and to help each of us find and develop our individual poetic voice. External input and support come from being an active Stanza of the Poetry Society and from our guest ‘Sofa Poet’ sessions held once a year.

So where am I in all this? Initial nerves long since dissipated, I rapidly became a very active member of the group and have gained some good friends and been encouraged in my reading as well as my writing. I’ve enjoyed being able to encourage others – some of whom have been as nervous as I was in joining an established group before finding it as welcoming and supportive as I did. Significantly, during this period I have written more – poems, plays, blogs, and a novel - and the group has supported me in my varied activities which include founding a theatre company, publishing the novel, a book for children and a poetry collection. Support continues now as I am on the point of releasing a further book. 

Describing my latest book is something of a challenge. Technically, it’s a blook – a book derived from my blog. A Love Letter to the Planet – and the people on it is just that, consisting of my thoughts on and responses, both creative and reflective, to global issues and happenings closer to home, exploring the role of the arts, the importance of community and the encouragement we can give to each other. 

Along the way I’ve played with fairy stories for the modern world, bemoaned the scarcity of tea shops in the late afternoon, written about family, celebrated music and theatre, and commented on wars, politics and matters of faith. Every topic includes a piece of prose and a poem. Producing this each week for the blog is a useful discipline and a joy. The confidence and the drive to complete and to publish owes much to the support and encouragement of my friends at Mole Valley Poets. A good decision to join, all those years ago.

 

To obtain a copy of the Mole Valley Poets anthology Otherworlds, email secretary@molevalleypoets.co.uk

 

Tony Earnshaw is a novelist, poet, librettist and playwright. His play The Door first appeared at Leatherhead Drama Festival and had its professional premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012 before transferring to the Charing Cross Theatre, London and Theater 59E59, New York. Tony has published three poetry collections as well as a book for children. He chairs Mole Valley Poets, is secretary of Mole Valley Scriptwriters and a director of a Bristol- based arts company and of Damn Cheek Productions CIC. In his spare time he sings with Brockham Choral and plays sax with the Leith Hill Big Band and Coldharbour Village Band.