Friday 23rd October, 7-8.30pm
The Punkawallah's Rope: an evening of poetry and music
Rooted in Chrys Salt’s highly regarded collection The Punkawallah’s Rope, this event explores the vibrant textures, voices, and contradictions of a continent both dazzling and daunting.
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?
Sunday 8th November, 11am-1pm
Reading John Donne
Donne was born in 1572 into a dynamic, exuberant and often divided society which makes his work highly relevant to our own complex and often troubled age.
He wrote poetry of great drama, intensity, wit and elegant argument. His poems revel in paradox and ambiguity in his relationships with sex, love, death and religion. T.S. Eliot said, ‘a thought to him was an experience; it modified his sensibility,’ suggesting that he unified intellectual thought and emotional feeling in his poetry. Whilst Eliot admired Donne’s highly original imagery and his raw, eloquent use of language, he also felt as if Donne was shouting in the listener’s ear.
Join Jan for a guided exploration of the poetry of this magnificent poet and fascinating man.
Saturday 5th December, 10-11am
Winter Poetry Breakfast: What Branches Hold
Anna’s Poetry Breakfasts are seasonal observations through poetry. The theme works as a prompt rather than a ‘rule’, and participants browse their favourite poetry books and bring along a poem or two to read aloud. All the poems we listen to are already published, and as a rule of thumb, are not overly long!
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.
Bring your favourite published poems to share on the theme, 'What Branches Hold' - whatever is sparked for you by Ellen Rowland's poem, which you can read on the bookings page.
Sunday 20th December, 11am-1pm
Comfort, Good Food and Warmth: Exploring Winter Poetry
Winter is a season of great variety, when Shakespeare tells us ‘greasy Joan doth keel the pot ‘, and Dickinson sees snow which ‘sifts from Leaden Sieves ‘.
A time of ‘comfort, good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand’, according to Sitwell, but also when, 'Nothing burns like the cold’ as George RR Matin warns us.
A time of song, candlelight and family for some and loneliness for others when the earth is frozen and, as Laurie Lee reminds us, ‘the wind gnaws with teeth of glass’.
Guided by Jan Westwood, this is a chance to sit together to enjoy poems which reveal winter in all its glory.
Wednesday 23rd December, 3.45pm
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.
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
Next event: Saturday 10th October
Children's Poetry Club
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
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO POETRY CLUB SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER
Sunday 25th 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
Join us every last Sunday of the month.
Sept 30th, Nov 25th, 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.
Accessibility
We aim to make our events as welcoming and accessible as possible.
The Lab is near The Castle Hotel, at the top of the town’s steep hill. We have a single blue badge space you can reserve by contacting hello@poetrypharmacy.live in advance.
There is ground floor access to the events space, but the toilet is on the floor below, which can be accessed either by two flights of stairs or by walking downhill around the building. The toilet is not a disabled facility.
