Poets attending Write Out Loud Marsden at Marsden library on Wednesday 16 December will be asked to contribute to an appeal to raise money to help a group that has already set off from Bolton to build shelters in the refugee camps in Calais with other practical builders and a van full of wood and tarpaulins.

Host Julian Jordon is back from the US to supervise a Christmas-themed evening, with wine and mince pies. He said: “Come and read your favourite Christmas poems, or some of your own writing or sing us a song. We don’t care: it’s Christmas, nearly. You could try pinching lines from Christmas carols to make your own poem from, with some sticky-backed assonance and a string of stanzas.

“As ever, the theme is not compulsory. Neither is reading. You can just listen and enjoy, in this friendly, lively group. The craic is always superb, fascinating and worthwhile. Just be quick before all the wine and mince pies go.” It starts at 7.30pm. More details and Map

Background: For those in peril on the sea