A new poetry anthology featuring work from more than 80 local writers has been launched in Rochdale, marking the borough’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Performance poet Tony Walsh visited Rochdale for the launch event, joining the borough’s Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver and a range of local contributors. The book, titled Weaving Words, brings together poetry created during workshops held across libraries and schools over the past year.
Workshops led by Sammy Weaver involved 20 schools and community groups, with more than 650 young people taking part. Many of their poems are included in the 120 page anthology, alongside pieces reflecting Rochdale’s history, identity and community life. A separate children’s edition titled Poems to change the world is due to be released.
The launch event took place at Number One Riverside in front of a full audience. Alongside Tony Walsh and Sammy Weaver, performances were given by young poets in residence Alende Amisi and Sasha Mostafa, as well as local contributors including Kirsty Olczak, Eileen Earnshaw, Farhan Zahoor, Rania Faisal, Freddie Earnshaw and Beth Kilgallon.
The Mayor of Rochdale, councillor Janet Emsley, also read her own work and closed the event. She said “Listening to our amazing poets bringing their words to life was fabulous. I do think there is a poet in all of us, and sometimes it only takes a little encouragement, which is what our Poet Laureate has been doing brilliantly boroughwide over this last year. There is no greater inspiration for words than the love for our local communities, and there is so much pride in Rochdale which is great to see, and is reflected in these poems.”
Visitors were also able to view the Rochdale in Rhyme exhibition, which features more than 40 poems written by residents during the year.
Copies of Weaving Words are available to buy from Rochdale Town Hall. The project has been supported through National Lottery funding from Arts Council England alongside council township funding, with delivery led by Rochdale Borough Council libraries and Rochdale Development Agency.
Further workshops are due to take place at Number One Riverside as part of the FAB Youth Arts Festival, with a children’s poetry exhibition running until 10 April.
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