As part of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 25-26 a brand-new poetry anthology, Weaving Words, was launched at the Rochdale in Rhyme event at Number One Riverside
The anthology is the culmination of a year-long project led but Rochdale’s first Poet Laureate, Sammy Weaver. Sammy delivered workshops for communities and schools, inspiring many people of all ages to create and submit their poetry. Sammy also mentored two Young Poets in Residence, Alende Amisi and Sasha Mustafa and all three have written new work influenced by the borough and its people.
The launch event was uplifting, under a lovely Spring sunny sky and our host, Tony Walsh, was inspirational and put everyone at their ease and delivering some of his powerful and sincere poetry. Tony has an immense passion for poetry and creativity, and their importance for ordinary people. He completely dispels the myth that poetry is only for some people and his final poem, “Take this Pen” absolutely cements that point. The event, like the book, reflected the diversity of our communities and the depths of creativity and talent within them.
Several local poets had been invited to perform their poems from the anthology. For some this was their first time performing and their work was very well received by the large audience. Eileen Earnshaw read ‘Lancashire Voices’ by Maggie Kelly who was unwell and unable to attend. Kirsty Olczak read ‘What the Walls Know’, Beth Kilgallon ‘In Love with Myself’. Rania Faisal, a pupil from Marland Hill Primary School read her ‘Potion to End Wars’ to a great reception from the audience and Farhan Zahoor performed ‘The Book’.
Rochdale Mayor, Councilor Janet Emsley, who used mayoral prerogative to instigate the whole project, read her own poem ‘AOB: Mayoral Matters’.
Sammy Weaver spoke about her work as Poet Laureate for Rochdale and shared some of her own poetry before introducing our two Young Poets in Residence, Alende Amisi and Sasha Mustafa who each read some of their Rochdale inspired poetry.
The book, Weaving Words” is a beautiful collection of poems that truly reflect what Sammy Weaver called “our people, our places, and the moments that make this borough feel like home”. With lovely illustrations from Mark Rothwell, art from Elizabeth White and design by Kier Mucklestone-Barnett.
Copies are available to purchase from Libraries in Rochdale Borough at a cost of £10 each.
You can find out more about the range of local cultural activities and events from the Rochdale Creates Website at www.rochdalecreates.co.uk
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