Polesworth Poets Trail

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Polesworth with its established links to poets such as Ben Jonson, Michael Drayton and John Donne is the ideal place for a Poetry Trail. The trail builds a cohesive tie between the medieval abbey through areas of industrial heritage to present day concerns. Conceived in 2006 it became a reality two years later, when the Advantage West Midlands Better Welcome scheme was looking for a way forward for Polesworth.

Malcolm Dewhirst, Project Director, said at the time, “As a poet, my idea for the trail was to create new contemporary poetry, which could sit along side the earlier poems without devaluing them, showing that poetry is still alive as a practiced art form”.

The project was delivered through a collaboration of local people, community groups and local councils. Malcolm Dewhirst said “I am truly grateful to Advantage West Midlands and Warwickshire County Council for their vision in providing the funds to make this happen. I would also like to thank project team of local people, the County, the Borough and Parish councils, The Abbey Church and the Polesworth Society who embraced the idea and worked with me with enthusiasm and expertise without which we would not have built the trail.”

Poetry by national and local poets, inspired by our industrial heritage are displayed on ten sculptures on the trail. You can pick up a free postcard detailing the route from Polesworth Library.

Follow the trail and appreciate poetry from the following contributors:

  • Garrie Fletcher – Gods dance within us
  • Penny Harper – Osanna (Abess of Polesworth 1100-1135)
  • Sarah Armstrong – The Polesworth Pact
  • Malcolm Dewhirst – Squab
  • Jane Holland – The River Anker (a poem for Polesworth)
  • Jon Morley – Song 13 ( Drayton Dub)
  • Gill Learner – Listen
  • Michael Drayton – Sonnet Leee: Clear Ancor
  • Janine Warre – Power
  • John Donne – Good-Friday, 1613, Riding Westward
  • Helen Yendall – Famous Men
  • Raymond Hendy – Memories of Pooley Mine
  • Edward Farmer – Little Jim or the Colliers Son

 

You can pick up a free pack of postcards detailing the route & sharing the poems from Polesworth Library.

 

 

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