Deeply Rooted - A Poetry Retreat Day
Sun, 2 Nov 2025 10:30 - 15:00

Deeply Rooted - A Poetry Retreat Day

Join poets Roz Goddard and Jane Commane for a poetry spa of workshops, meditation and readings, exploring our inner landscapes.

The poets will lead morning workshops between 10:30am - 1.15pm, and after a break for lunch, you can relax and enjoy the readings from 2pm.

Tickets £35, including coffee, tea and cake, but please bring or buy your own lunch.

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Wielding the Green Knife
Sat and Sun, 8th-9th November, 09:30 - 17:30

Wielding the Green Knife

Join Tom Hirons and Rozi Hilton for a weekend intensive in the territory of the 'Feral Angels of Poetry: poetry with its feet in the muck and murk of this world.

Immersive, alive, embodied and richly experiential, these are not your average poetry weekends.

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'A Creative Irritant': The Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy
Sun, 23 November 2025 10.30 - 12.30

'A Creative Irritant': The Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy

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!

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How Nature Restores Us
Sun, 7th December 2025 14.30-15.45

How Nature Restores Us

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.

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The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
Tues. 23rd December, 15:45-16:45pm

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

'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.

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Write the Unruly Body Poetry Workshop with Dr. Kate Noakes
Sunday 3rd May 2026 10:30 AM – 12:30PM

Write the Unruly Body Poetry Workshop with Dr. Kate Noakes

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.

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Poetry Pharmacy Partner Events

These special events are hosted by our brilliant friends and collaborators, using our space but not run or commissioned by us. While they're independently organised, they share the same spirit and ethos that inspires everything we do.

Regular Events

Children's Poetry Club
Saturday 11 October, November 15th, December 6th & a break in January 2-3pm

Children's Poetry Club

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
Weds, 26 November 2025, 7.30-9.30pm

Verbatim Open Mic

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.

Touch Paper Poetry Workshop
Sunday, 19 October, 12.30 -2.30pm

Touch Paper Poetry Workshop

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!