A poetry organiser in the north-west has paid tribute to “a dear friend” with a “big heart and sparkling wit” after the death of poet and compere Glenys Feeney, pictured on the right.

Christopher Coey, pictured centre, said: “Glenys compered the Moreton Arms poetry evening in Wallasey, and the Wirral Ode Show at the Stork hotel, Birkenhead, and at the Egremont Ferry pub, Wallasey. She was the compere of The Poetry Spoke at La Gondola, Wallasey, and for a time also at Gallaghers pub, Birkenhead. In effect she compered two poetry nights a month, month in month out for over six years. She also compered an eight-hour poetry marathon at the Bluecoat chambers as part of National Poetry Day celebrations.

“Glenys compered, and Chris and Nat organised in the background.  She also introduced countless poets and musicians to their first ever readings and their first ever guest sets.  She was a wonderful woman with a big heart and sparkling wit: never old, always ready with a one-liner and a joke; poets and musicians right across the north-west will have warm memories of her. She gave an enormous amount to poets and to the poetry scene in the north-west, was a dear friend to many, and will be greatly missed.”

The funeral is being held on Thursday 23 April at 11.45am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Prenton, Wirral, and at 1pm at Landican cemetery, Wirral. For more details contact coaster.coey@google.mail.com

PHOTOGRAPH: ISOBEL MALINOWSKI