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membership programme contacts getting there Shortlands Poetry Circle was established in 1911 by Miss Catherine Punch. Its aim was to promote the study and appreciation of poetry, and it has been going strong and remained true to that aim ever since. Edward VII had died the year before. Stainless steel had not been invented. Dylan Thomas had not been born. Stravinsky was yet to compose The Rite of Spring. (quoted from Christopher Highton, Past President, 1997) The group continued to meet regularly through both World Wars and, in 1947, it became the North-West Kent Branch of the English Association and is now affiliated to Bromley Arts Council. The Circle also enjoys long-standing relationships with both the Poetry Society and the Poetry Library at the Southbank. Along the way, the Circle has given birth to a Drama Group, alas now disbanded, and, soon after the end of the Second World War, a Writers' Group (ages ranging from twenties to eighties), which has produced three anthologies of poetry (1971; for the Circle's Diamond Jubilee in 1981; and in 1997). Sweet
are the pleasures that to verse belong, so wrote John Keats to his friend George Felton Matthew... (quote from Mary Nugent, Past President, 1971). A friendly and informal group, the reading Circle meets regularly for the reading (never our own, but for one annual programmed meeting) and enjoyment of poetry, followed by a general get-together over tea and biscuits. Discussions are lively, the topics are wide-ranging (see programme) and the selection of poets' work varies from the old favourites to the newest and less-well-known, with often surprising and exciting choices. There is a Special Summer Meeting, where entertainment is provided (ticket sale event), an annual reading event run by the Circle's writers, a celebratory Christmas reading, and the group is occasionally involved in collaborative events with other local groups (contact the President if you would like to discuss a project). Visitors are most welcome at the meetings (£1 donation - see getting there), as are new and potential members of all ages (see Membership). The programme is set well in advance so that there is plenty of time to research the poet or topic of the day and make your selections. (see Great places to look for poems)
Shortlands Poetry Circle, 2006 just a few of the members
Great places to look for poems: Local Library Independent and Second-hand bookshops:
Lorenzo's
Cafe in Orpington High Street; pay and display
parking The
Kirkdale Bookshop, Kirkdale Road, Sydenham; Beckenham Bookshop, High Street, Beckenham—if they haven't got what you're looking for, they will usually be able to get it for you within 24 hours Barely Read Books, The Green, Westerham—we've heard this is a very good second-hand bookshop but not whether it has a poetry section (we'd be glad to hear from you if you know) On the net: Ancient: Bartleby English Verse Poem Hunter Modern: nth position Poetry Magazines poetry p f We'd love to know your favourites. If you'd like to contribute, please email the details of your favourite poetry places to the site editor
Meetings are twice a month, on Tuesdays, during the academic year, from 2:30 to 4:00pm. The venue is normally Ripley Arts Centre, but meetings are occasionally held elsewhere. Do check before you come. Please feel free to print the programme (pdf) and pass copies to your friends and colleagues. We also have a mailing list. Please let us know if you would like to receive the new programmes as they are published by joining our mailing list . Date Poem Topic 2010: 12 Jan Open Choice 26 Jan TS Eliot & Ezra Pound 9 Feb Favourite Places 23 Feb Henen Dunmore & Ruth Padel 9 Mar AGM + 1 short poem - open choice 23 Mar Children & Schooldays and diary dates for Summer: Apr 27 May 11 & 25 Jun 8 & 22 Jul 13
Membership is by annual subscription. The current rates are: Full Membership £15 (members who expect to attend most meetings) Associate Membership £7.50 (members who expect to attend intermittently but like to be kept on the mailing list) Visitors £1 donation per visit Refreshments 30p President: Elizabeth Sibsey +44 (0) 208 464 4917 (projects and collaborations)
Membership Secretary: Tel: +44
(0) 208 289 3265
enquiries by e-mail
First, let us know you're coming and check the venue! It's easier to run the event well if we know how many readers we will have and we wouldn't want you to turn up to an empty hall. Contact the Membership Secretary. Visitors are charged £1 per visit. Regular Venue: Ripley Arts Centre. This is varied occasionally, so do check before you come. For Ripley Arts Centre, google map has a "get 'there' from 'here' function", for directions by road. There are a few parking spaces in the grounds for those with walking difficulties (entry from the North part of Sundridge Avenue), and local street-parking (e.g. in the road opposite and in the West part of Sundridge Avenue). By Rail: The nearest station is Elmstead Woods (on the Orpington line). The walk from there to Ripley Arts Centre is probably at least 15 minutes, along Elmstead Lane and Sundridge Avenue. Bus: Number 314 (Bromley to Eltham route).
Note: this page created for Shortlands
Poetry Circle by poetry p f
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