REVIEW
Settle Sessions fourth year was launched to standing room only at The Folly. The packed audience enjoyed poems on subjects from the Australian outback to the iambic pentameter.
Settle Sessions fourth year was launched to standing room only at The Folly. The packed audience enjoyed poems on subjects from the Australian outback to the iambic pentameter.
 |
| Jean Stevens |
Jean Stevens, well known in the area as a creative writing tutor, read from her new book “Beyond Satnav”. Her poems are accessible with poetic twists and turns. Classical references brushed shoulders with the pedantry of Australian immigration system. “Fell Farmer” spoke movingly of women farmers in a harsh landscape.
Anne
Caldwell, literature programme manager for The British Council,
certainly knows how to captivate her audience. Her work ranged from
grim plain language in “Winter Solstice” about climate change, to
a mother’s touching sonnet about her son visiting Gordale Scar.
A
sequence based on her late father’s cine films brought Aberdeen and
its seascapes to Settle in vivid imagery.
 |
| Anne Caldwell |
In
the Read Two open mic spot, Beryl James shared her simple,
effective style, Jackie Allott read from Carol Ann Duffy’s work
with humour, Jean Lavelle honoured The Bard and Tricia Robinson
bravely read her own work for the first time in public to great
approval.
Settle
Sessions started as it means to go on – with variety, entertainment
and class.
Veronica
Caperon
You can order Anne Caldwell's book at this website
Settle Sessions will have 4 evenings of poetry and short stories this year, including a celebration of National Poetry Day on October 6th at Settle Victoria Hall, with a national and local poetry competition running through the summer. More details on our About and Competitions pages, and info@settlesessions.co.uk
