Iain Britton's upcoming lunchtime reading at Unity Books in NZ
15 April 2026
While spring has well and truly sprung in the UK, and just about in Canada, in New Zealand autumn is coming on with a reading by Iain Britton at Unity Books in Wellington on 17 May. Besides reading from his new chapbook Uncertain Densities, he'll be happy to expound on what exactly his "Haptik" poems are all about. How demanding his Muse must be!
Michael Lee Rattigan finally meets up with an old friend in Lisbon
14 April 2026
Fernando Pessoa was patiently waiting outside his usual café in Lisbon, Portugal, to meet with the translator of his Alberto Caeiro poems into English, our very own Michael Lee Rattigan (and a murder of crows along for the ride, a nod to his chapbook Nature Notes). Expecting Thomas Crosse, there was nothing to disappoint in Michael who came instead!
Jeremy Clarke's "Host" on exhibition at Eton's Verey Gallery until 14 June 2026
30 March 2026
"Host" comprises an edition of seven original poems by Jeremy Clarke DMT-printed onto sheets of watercolour paper that the poet left on a London rooftop in Bloomsbury over a winter from 21 Dec 2016 to 20 Mar 2017. One of these is on exhibit as part of "Elemental" that speaks to Eton College's cultural relationship with the material world.
Foursome at The Poetry Café joined by wonderful Open Mic guests
27 March 2026
It was an engaging and memorable night of poetry at The Poetry Café in Covent Garden with featured poets Scott Elder, Prue Chamberlayne, Michael Lee Rattigan and host Michael Shann. The Open Mic was amply enjoyed with such an array of readings and experiences. What a night it was! Thank you for coming, and let's meet up again someday.
Poetry, Pizza, Pints & Open Mic in Frome a second time around
24 March 2026
Such a lovely evening of poetry and prose at the second Poetry, Pizza, Pints and Open Mic event at The Archangel in Frome, which also marked the chapbook launch of Scott Elder's Molly, Etc., with featured readers Prue Chamberlayne and delightful host Mandy Pannett, joined by Open Mic guests including Luke Sherlock from nearby bookshop Sherlock & Pages.
John Reibetanz's poems of HIDDEN TREASURES in bloom at Aeolus House
20 March 2026
Poems written by John Reibetanz for Hidden Treasures, a chapbook of artworks by Péter Cserháti published in 2012, have been collected in a new publication, Found in Translation (Aeolus House, 2025), in which eight artworks are wonderfully reproduced, including a relief sculpture in colour on the cover budding spring green!
27 MAR 2026
The Poetry Café
22 Betterton Street
London, WC2H 9BX
@ 7 to 9 PM
LIVE READING
From Dublin to London & Open Mic
In the bosom of Covent Garden, let your hearts be touched by poems from Molly, Etc., a new chapbook by Scott Elder, with featured poets Prue Chamberlayne, Michael Lee Rattigan, and host Michael Shann also reading.
24 MAR 2026
The Archangel
1 King Street
Frome, BA11 1BH
@ 7 to 9 PM
BOOK LAUNCH
Poetry, Pizza, Pints & Open Mic
Join us in celebrating the launch of Molly, Etc., a new chapbook by Scott Elder, also featuring poets Prue Chamberlayne, and host Mandy Pannett.
UNCERTAIN DENSITIES by Iain Britton in Unity Books, New Zealand
19 March 2026
Who knew Iain Britton's chapbook would end up in a bookshop snugly displayed alongside other squeaky bright trade editions? Just a matter of rufusing from one Wellington location — that of Aurora's in the northern reaches of the Greater Toronto Area — to another — New Zealand's southern hemisphere, across the Tasman Sea. Lovely to see Unity Books take on our chapbook.
Does it take a market town to raise a gibbon or will its streetlamp do?
7 March 2026
What is a gibbon doing, swinging on a streetlamp in Frome? Actually, he made his way across the pond to join the chapbook launch and Poetry, Pizza, Pints & Open Mic event at The Archangel on Tuesday 24 March, with readings by Scott Elder, Prue Chamberlayne, and host Mandy Pannett. The streetlamp on the broadside is fashioned after the one on Catherine Street in Frome. Can you tell?
To fold, to sew, to sign... An afternoon's work at Someone Editions
6 March 2026
Master letterpress printer Deborah Barnett led the folding and sewing of Scott Elder's chapbook, Molly, Etc., with Jim Johnstone hanging out to sign all 30 copies of the Exquisite Corpse broadside, with the latter being shipped to the UK to be signed by the other poets taking part in this uncanny Surrealist scheme, namely Scott Elder, Prue Chamberlayne (thanks for the gibbon), and Claire Crowther.
Congrats! STONE HOURS by Jeremy Clarke finalist for the Nelson Ball Prize
8 February 2026
Nelson Ball (1942–2019) was a poet who lived in Paris, Ontario. Known for his minimalist nature poems, he flew somewhat under the radar. Nelson began writing in the 1960s and continued until his death. He is the author of scores of books and chapbooks. The Nelson Ball Prize is awarded annually to a publication, by a Canadian poet and published in Canada, that displays "poetry of observation."
So long, fare thee well, Iain & safe travels back to New Zealand...
17 November 2025
We loved having you in Oxford (twice) and Cambridge, and in Frome, Somerset for the launch of Uncertain Densities: Poems for Diane Arbus. The launch was celebrated by fireside at the Archangel for the inaugural Poetry, Pizza, Pints & Open Mic event alongside three other featured poets: Scott Elder, Prue Chamberlayne, and Claire Crowther, Frome Museum's 2025 Poet in Residence.
Hart House Farm maple syrup makes its debut in Frome, Somerset
10 October 2025
The historic market town of Frome in Somerset, with its steep hills and cobbled streets, played host to a marriage of true delights — Hart House Farm's 100% pure maple syrup and pizza creations served at The Archangel pub & hotel, a cheerful spot that dates as far back as the Domesday Book in which it was first recorded as an inn in 1311. Poetry, pizza, & pints warmed the pilgrims by the hearth!