FROM the cathedral and quaint Tudor buildings to the iconic bridge over the River Severn, Worcester has plenty to inspire writers and artists.
And now, a Worcester University lecturer’s guided poetry walk invites residents to put pen to paper inspired by the sights and sounds of the city and the significance of local landmarks.
Senior lecturer in media and film studies Katy Wareham Morris, a published poet herself, is delivering a free writing and walking workshop through the city stopping at various locations called ‘What is Worcester Today?’, on Saturday November 16 between 10am and 11am.
For Ms Wareham Morris the experience of walking poetry is more than just using places and spaces as writing stimulus; it encourages people to engage with their surroundings in a personal way.
She said: “It’s not so much a history lesson, it’s going to be much more about stimulating people to write about the location in terms of their own personal perspective, memories, feelings.”
The event is run as part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities taking place from November 7 to November 16. This year’s theme is landmarks.
Ms Wareham Morris continued “Our interpretation of the theme is thinking about Worcester and its historical, cultural, social and also personal landmarks. That really aligns with my poetry and interest in psychogeography and walking poetry.
“A landmark doesn’t have to be a physical building. It might be a landmark moment in your personal history, so people won’t necessarily have to write about the ‘landmarks’ they see, but maybe how these physical landmarks trigger a memory linked to their personal history or landmark moment, things that have happened in their life.”
The workshop is open to everyone, whether complete beginner or experienced poet.
Participants will walk through the city on an accessible route, pausing to write and listen to poetry, with Ms Wareham Morris providing some prompts along the way.
Visit https://www.thehiveworcester.org/whats-on.html to book a place.
