Using the Past in Poetry with Kelley Swain

Contact: administration@poetryschool.com

'Playing with History: Using the Past in Poetry' with Kelley Swain is a festival-themed poetry writing workshop:

‘Behold the Wonder of this present Age / a Famous River now becomes a Stage …’ (1684, Walton and Seller, from a print sold on the frozen river.) The Poetry School, on Lambeth Walk, offers the perfect location to consider an influential source of British literature: The River Thames. This workshop will focus particularly on London’s Frost Fairs, raucous festivals that broke out when the river froze solid, creating a new landscape unbounded by laws and conventions. We will write from the history of Frost Fairs, as well as from direct observations of life along the Thames, gathered in a walk which will comprise part of the workshop. The workshop will include discussion of poems new and old, from Poetry School tutor John McCullough's 2009 collection The Frost Fairs, to souvenir rhymes printed on the frozen river itself, such as this 1683 quip: ‘And sure, in former Ages, ne'er was found / A Press to print where men so oft were droun'd!’

This workshop runs until 4.30pm. For more information and booking, visit our website (www.poetryschool.com) or call us on 0207 582 1679

Entry: £69, £66 (60+), £55 (Concessions)

Time: 10:30am