We are a mutually supportive group of enthusiastic poets who are committed to improving our writing skills and taking poetry into the local community. We have been meeting to encourage each other and share our work since 1999. In 2011 we became a stanza group of the Poetry Society, in order to reach more poets, benefit from a wider network of contacts and activities, and attract new members.
Our annual programme includes twelve monthly meetings on the last Monday evening of the month at 7.30 p.m. They are held in the upper room of the Christian Centre by St Martin's Church, Dorking RH4 1DW. The evening is divided into two parts:
- The first hour includes a discussion about various aspects of poetry, or individual published poets, and is presented by one of the group members. Examples of past themes include: Benjamin Zephaniah, 10 Ways to improve our poetry, The Thirties' Poets, Poets Laureate. We also invite guest poets to read from their own collections as well as offering a critique of our poems.
- The second hour of our meeting is a workshop of four poems brought by members.
Events such as the Sofa Poet and Poetry Café are open to all - do join us.
The annual subscription is £20.
If you would like to join the group, or require further information, please contact the Membership Secretary.
Meeting Notes
- John Betjeman, 29th April 2013
Local Competition in aid of CRY
The SCJ Poetry Prizes Themes: Childhood. Culture. Education. (Themes may be broadly interpreted).
Sofa PoetMole Valley Poets present an afternoon with Myra Schneider. Widely published, Myra is consultant to the Second Light Network of Women Poets, runs poetry workshops and courses and is a tutor for The Poetry School. Writing a poem is a journey which takes one in surprising and exciting directions. Come and explore ideas and hear her read. Saturday, 15th June 2013, 2:00pm to 4:30pm in the Upper Room at the Dorking Christian Centre, Church Street, Dorking, RH4 1DW. Admission: £10. |