South Downs poetry festival has launched an appeal for new trustees to take over and keep the festival running for a third year. In a message to supporters, the festival director, Tim Dawes, pictured, said: “The second South Downs poetry festival finished in July and we are taking stock … myself and all the trustees are immensely proud and pleased of what has been achieved over these two years … we have taken quality contemporary poetry in all its forms to places and people who otherwise would not have experienced it.

“In 2016 we organised a four-day poetry bike tour that brought verse to pubs, halls and shops right across the Downs and this year has seen us delivering workshops and readings in a mental health institution, country park and sculpture garden.

“However, we lost one trustee unexpectedly at the beginning of this year, another has indicated her desire to retire and I myself will be moving away from the south in the near future. So if there is to be a third SDPF the team that makes it happen needs to be radically re-staffed. Importantly that means a new volunteer treasurer and director, who like all our trustees would be unpaid.”

Anyone interested in getting involved should email or telephone Tim Dawes as soon as possible at 07766 165 946 or info@SDPF.org.uk. The deadline for expressing a confirmed interest is 25 August.

Background: Moving readings wind up marathon poetry festival 

Background: Words, sweat and gears