Wanted: Local writers and poets

Do you write short stories or poems? Are you writing a novel? If so Settle Sessions would like to hear from you and give you the opportunity to present some of your writing at one of their evenings in the open mic "Read Two" section.

Settle Sessions is now in its third year; 2015 will see 4 evenings through the year. It provides an opportunity for people in the Craven area to enjoy contemporary writing and poetry in the atmospheric and historic venue of The Folly in Settle. There is also the chance for local writers to show-case some of their unpublished work in "Read Two".

The 2015 programme for the Settles Sessions has been announced. It includes some of the country's leading poets and writers displaying a wide range of styles and writing.

April 17th Carole Coates and Carole Bromley

June 5th Neil Curry and Meg Peacock

Sept 11th Kim Moore and Jean Harrison

Nov 20th Ann Pilling and Chris Considine

All the evenings are on a Friday at 7.30pm at The Folly in Victoria Street Settle.

If you'd like to take part in Read Two - either your own work or by reading something by someone else that you really like - then contact Jean Harrison on 01729 823305 or info@settlesessions.co.uk. Full details of The Sessions are at www.settlesessions.co.uk

Spellbound Audience

The final event of 2014 was suitably merry in tone and festive in content. Prize winning author and poet Ann Pilling presented her new anthology of happy poems called "Say Cheese". Sold in aid of Hawes Parish Church Restoration, it features work by living and dead poets. Some of the former read their poems bringing us "Singing the African Sanctus in Settle", a vivid description of an australian creature called "The Jesus Bird", and a fascinating homage to Machines. David Scott from Kendal, whom Ann said is described as "the foremost Anglican poet" read a gentle, evocative poem about the simple Harebell which had the audience spellbound. Ann concluded with a rousing rendition of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky.

The second part of the evening featured favourite Christmas poems chosen by regular Sessioners. From John Clare's December at the turn of the 19th century, through some bitingly witty poems by Wendy Cope, classics from Louis Macniece to one about Global Warning, the audience relaxed in front of the roaring fire at The Folly and soaked up the seasonal mood. The deepest listening was of "For a Child Expected" by Anne Ridler, delivered in a soft yet commanding voice by Kathy Bull.

Settle can be congratulated in hosting and supporting these eclectic evenings. They bring together leading British poets as well as local writing talent with literature lovers to share their favourite pieces. If the warm appreciation of this Session is anything to go by, next year's programme will be much anticipated and enjoyed too.

Veronica Caperon