FREE: Poetry Performances, workshops and drop-in sessions
Schedule
Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sun, 26 Apr, 2026 at 06:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Horseshoe Common | Bournemouth, EN
About this Event
We're going big for the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival to showcase the fantastic poetry talent with a marquee in Horseshoe Common on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April.
There will be drop-in sessions led by Winchester Poetry Festival, plus a programme of performances throughout both days curated by Kim West.
Entry is free thanks to funding from Arts Council England and profits from ticket sales.
Free Drop-in Sessions and Activities
Join the Winchester Poetry Festival at the Poetry Marquee on Horseshoe Common on Sat 25th and Sun 26th April, 10am-5pm, for drop-in activities inspiring wordplay and expression through poetry. You can get involved in the following:
- Day in the Life community poem with AJ Hardingson
- Create a Poetryzine with AJ Hardinson
- Get a poem in our poetry tombola with The Poetry Exchange
- Download porety games with Game Poems Magazine and University of Southampton
- Create a High Street Haiku with Ellora Sutton
- Children can create magical charm poems with Nazneen Ahmed Pathak
Suitable for all ages and abilities, and facilitated by experienced poets and writers.
All resources are provided, just bring your curiosity and get ready to dive in!
Poetry Performances
Selected from the magnificant talent pool in the local area, listen and be inspired to a wide range of poets and poetry collectives. See below for the agenda and performers or see the Festival's website for up to date information.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM
Words for Wellbeing
Host: C.W. Blackburn
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 11:45 AM
Isaiah Dreads
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 01:00 PM
Kainaat
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 02:00 PM
Damian Kelly Basher
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 02:45 PM
Aanka Batta
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 02:25 PM
Abu Ibrahim - aka IB
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 03:45 PM
Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 04:15 PM - 06:00 PM
The Platform
Host: Abby G Poetree
Info: Saturday 25th April
🕑: 10:00 AM
Roots II Soul Poetry - Wild Words
Host: Jamie Derrick
Info: Sunday 26th April
🕑: 11:45 AM
Lighthouse Young Writers
Info: Sunday 26th April
🕑: 01:00 PM
LitUp Collective
Host: Nicole Durman
Info: Sunday 26th April
🕑: 02:45 PM
Vita Nova
Info: Sunday 26th April
🕑: 04:15 PM - 06:00 PM
Word Makers and Silence Breakers
Host: Myriam San Marco
Info: Sunday 26th April
Where is it happening?
Horseshoe Common, Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
