Can't sleep? Explore the dark in a poetry all-nighter at Ledbury

Friday 4th July 2014 8:50 pm (first posted 1st July 2014)

A poetry all-nighter at the atmospheric Hellens Manor is on the agenda at Ledbury poetry festival this weekend, on Saturday night and Sunday morning of 5-6 July. It starts off at 7pm-8pm, with At Maldon, performed by JO Morgan in the music room, and reviving the ancient art of fireside storytelling. From 8.30- 9.30pm, The Bat Detector will be performed by Elizabeth Barrett, with Robin Ireland accompanying her on the viola from the balcony of the minstrel gallery. From 10pm-midnight there will be shared reading in the barn, which will be hosted by Dave Reeves, and a midnight feast. Bring along a poem or two and claim your two-minute slot. From midnight to 5.30am Dave will be leading the Insomnia writing workshop in the grounds of the manor, pictured, using the different moods and environments to reflect on the night, the nature of memory and how everything changes in the small hours. And from 5.30- 6am, poems written through the night will be shared, with sounds of birds on the terrace overlooking the parkland beyond, followed by hot coffee and croissants in the barn. Dave added: “The world always looks and feels different at night, but during Insomnia we will be seeking out some of the poems that live in the dark and the stillness and bringing them back with us to the dawn, when we will have a sharing of poems as the sun rises over the formal garden. Bring warm clothes, sturdy shoes and disposition, a torch (preferably a headtorch), food and drink for the duration, writing paper and pen, and a waterproof, just in case. Oh yes, and a sitting pad might be useful.” More details

JULY

Stratford-upon-Avon poetry festival, 2 July - 3 August

Ledbury poetry festival, 4-13 July

Hebden Bridge arts festival, until 5 July

Wirral Festival of Firsts, 5-13 July

Buxton festival fringe, 9-27 July

John Clare Society festival, Helpston, near Peterborough, 11-13 July

Latitude festival, Southwold, 17-20 July

AUGUST

Stratford-upon-Avon poetry festival, until 3 August

Edinburgh festival fringe, 1-25 August

SEPTEMBER