Carol Ann Duffy has said her poetry is like ‘the sand in the oyster, it’s a creative irritant. In each poem, I am trying to reveal a truth.’

Duffy was appointed Poet Laureate in 2009 and held the position until 2019. She was the first female, Scottish and openly gay person to do so.

Join Jan to explore Duffy’s subject matter: childhood, teenage years, sex, city life, oppression, politics, gender, loss, nostalgia and love.

Ticket price includes tea or coffee and cake!

Jay Griffiths explores how animals can have a role in every level of healing, from the individual to the collective; How Animals Heal Us puts animals at the heart of a restorative vision of health.

In Your Lowly Hedgehog Knows, Gareth Howell-Jones looks at the simple, everyday things around us to develop a radical and heartening world-view based on nature rather than cultural traditions.

Together, they reimagine our place in nature with wonder, hope and a lot of humour.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

Join us for a magical treat on the night before Christmas Eve, when Anna Dreda will be reading the classic Christmas poem, The Night Before Christmas, all by candlelight at the Poetry Pharmacy above the bookshop.

Each ticket is £15 per family, and includes a gift for the children and some festive refreshments. Our proceeds this year will be going to the Gaza Appeal for Children in Crisis.

We are delighted to host an array of literary events here at the Poetry Pharmacy for the 14th Bishop's Castle Arts Festival!

Check back for further details on how to book on to our programme:

• Weds 18th, 11am - Writing from Stillness with Sarah Holland
• Weds 18th, 7.30pm - Verbatim Poetry Open Mic with Pat Edwards
• Thurs 19th, 11am - Haiku Moments with David Bingham
• Friday 20th, 11am - Noticing: A Mindful Writing Workshop with Rhiannon Hooson
• Sat 21st, 11am - “Where the cows go bong!” Illustrating Nonsense Poetry with Liv Bargman

Banner image by Liv Bargman

Booking available soon

To Write the Unruly Body Kate Noakes presents a number of approaches and exercises for writing about illness, dis-ease and disease. Deriving from her new book, Sublime Lungs, she invites you to the Poetry Pharmacy for a morning of reflection and expression, and occasional light-heartedness.

Kate Noakes PhD, is a poet and non-fiction writer from Bristol. She has published nine full collections of poetry and a pamphlet. She has taught workshops for Paris Lit Up, the Poetry School, Oxford University and Malika’s Poetry Kitchen. Her website is www.boomslangpoetry.blogspot.com.

Poetry Club is back!

These are held upstairs in the bookshop as usual, so parents can wait in the coffee shop if they'd like to!

Suitable for 7 to 11 year olds.

Join the renowned Anna Dreda (formally Wenlock Bookshop and Wenlock Poetry Festival) for a warm, friendly and fun poetry reading and writing club.

All very welcome to read, write and chat about poetry! £3 to cover refreshments

Please email Anna for dates: annadreda@icloud.com

Verbatim open mic is hosted by Welshpool Poetry Festival Director, Pat Edwards, every two months.

There is always an invited guest reader with everyone getting an opportunity to read at the open mic. Just sign up on the night!

The Poetry Pharmacy is proud to provide the venue and a warm welcome for all.

£5 on the door. Refreshments included in the entrance price.

This monthly poetry writing workshop has been running for over five years with beginners, visitors to the town and regular attendees all warmly welcome.

Touch Paper is a relaxed two-hour workshop run by experienced poet and workshop leader Pat Edwards. Come along to write, reflect and chat - there's no need to book.

£10 to include refreshments - yes, that does mean cake!