After the March 2026 release of impressionist Alistair McGowan’s second poetry collection Like Never Before, we are delighted to announce this exclusive Bishop’s Castle reading from the book.

Alistair will also offer the opportunity for an audience Q&A after the reading.

Join poet Jonathan Davidson for a Poetry Walk starting and finishing at The Poetry Pharmacy Lab in Bishop's Castle.

Using a circular route, we will stroll along small roads and footpaths, stopping now and then to hear some poems read aloud in the open air. Copies of poems – by various carefully selected poets – will be provided, although participants are welcome to bring along short poems of their own to share.

The ticket includes a drink and cake at journey’s end.

Read, share and listen to your favourite poems on the theme: ‘What The Roses Said To Me’ by Lahab Assef Al-Jundi.

Bring your favourite published poems on roses, midsummer, long days, short nights, Dawn chorus - whatever is sparked for you by this time in the year when nature is so abundantly beautiful and our hearts sing

We’ll read to each other over coffee and croissants in the bright and airy space of the Poetry Pharmacy lab, and if you want to come and ‘just’ listen, that’s perfect, too.

Join poet Chrys Salt and musician Richard Ingham for an evening exploring the richness and complexity of North East India.

Through layered poems and haunting instrumentals played on various Indian instruments - the aludu, the bansuri, gopi yantra by International musician and saxophonist Richard Ingham the performance poses the question:

How can a middle-class white woman begin to understand and engage with this most complex and challenging of continents?

Join us for this special poetry showcase hosted by Pat Edwards, featuring guest poet Kim Moore, with readings from Shropshire poets Kate Innes and Sarah Holland.

Kim Moore’s forthcoming collectionThe House of Broken Things will be published by Corsair in May 2026. Her second collection All the Men I Never Married (Seren, 2021) won the 2022 Forward Prize for Best Collection

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