Welcome to Poets Corner where you can see our featured poets and contributors.
Emily Gartshore
"The first time I saw one of my poems in print, I was over the moon," said Emily Gartshore.
Karen Cronin
"Poetry is a living, breathing, powerful thing," said Karen Cronin.
Charlotte Sowden
"Poetry is a part of me," said Charlotte Sowden. "It completes me."
Keith Martin
"Now that I have been writing poetry for a long time, it comes as naturally to me as breathing," said Keith Martin.
Valerie Luxton
Valerie Luxton of London has been published in several anthologies. "I love poetry. It's one of my greatest passions," she remarked.
John Pegg
"My love for writing is a deep and powerful thing," said John Pegg.
Pauline Hardman
"It's been a delight to have so much of my work published," said Pauline Hardman of Leeds.
Shirley Gault
Since having her poetry published by United Press, Shirley Gault has given many readings on radio. She is pictured here at one of the readings with Candy Devine, radio presenter and star of the TV series "Skippy"
Opportunity Knocks on the Radio
If you want to have your poetry read and discussed on radio, here are some interesting items about radio stations which are interested in poetry and poets.
Calon FM 105 which has studios in Wrexham is a regional radio station which features poetry prominently. Poets who want to submit their work for reading and discussion can call 01978 293393 or email studio@calonfm.com
Barbara Dunning of East Yorkshire didn’t submit any of her poetry to the station but found that she was on its “Wanted” list.
“My friend writes poetry and mentioned my work to someone at the station. I was pleased to receive a call from the station asking if I could send in some of my work,” explained Barbara. “My work appeared on the Beryl Partridge show and she was kind enough to send me a CD of the show. I’m outside of their broadcasting area and didn’t hear it live. I was really surprised when I heard the show because my poetry was being read out alongside the works of Coleridge and Tennyson. I was even more surprised to find that they had read out a large number of my poems. I only expected them to read one.”
Downtown Radio in Newtownards, County Down, is a regional radio station for Northern Ireland which encourages both poetry and short story submissions. You can call 02891 815050 for details.
One poet published many times by United Press, Shirley Gault, has featured several times on this station. “They tend to have a poetry feature every Sunday between 12 and 1,” explained Shirley. “This is run by Candy Devine who millions will remember as the little girl in the Skippy TV series.” Shirley’s short story Angel Wings – published by the Short Story Society - was read out by Candy on the radio show.
When United Press published a free book of poetry written by Ron Wheelhouse, little did we know what a good use he would put it too. Ron sold copies of his book and raised £200 for the Royal British Legion.
“I produced the book – Poetry in the First World War – after a tour of the battlefields in France. I went on a walking tour of sites including Ypres and the Somme. I actually started writing poetry when I was a court usher but the First World War has always been one of the themes for my work and the compilation which United Press produced for me free of charge was my way of paying tribute to those who fought and died in the Great War. I decided that it would be only fitting to sell copies of the book and I was delighted by the enthusiasm that it engendered. I quickly sold all the available copies and raised £200 for The Royal British Legion.”
Regulars at Cuxton library in Rochester aim to get a poetry group going.
Iris Crew, of Cuxton, gave a poetry reading there recently. Iris has been published many times by United Press and she told us: “I really enjoyed giving the reading and it went down very well. There’s obviously a lot of enthusiasm in the area for poetry and it would be wonderful to see a poetry group get going at the library.”
If you’re interested in being involved just contact Cuxton library on 01634 711391
Ann Pendleton
"I get so much pleasure out of writing that I could never imagine stopping," said Ann Pendleton.
Christopher Rothery
"Writing poetry plays a significant part in my life," said Christopher Rothery.
Robert A Lane
"I have to write, I just wouldn't be the same person without it," said Robert A Lane.
David K Maxwell
"Ideas come to me in the most surprising ways," said David K Maxwell.
Ron Wheelhouse
"My poems reflect my life," said Ron Wheelhouse.
Donald John Tye
"Poetry gives me a voice I didn't even know that I had," said Donald John Tye.
Iris Crewe
"Both inspiration and perspiration play a major part in my poetry writing," said Iris Crewe.
Jim Carlin
"I can express so many wonderful things through my poetry," said Jim Carlin.
Joan Lake
"Poetry is a vital form of communication," said Joan Lake.
Margery Rayson
Margery Rayson writes poetry in moments of great inspiration.
Margaret Burtenshow-Haines
Margaret Burtenshow-Haines believes that poetry has added something to her life.
Violetta Ferguson
"I just wish I had been able to write poetry much earlier in life," said Violetta Ferguson of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. "I alwats did well at school and always enjoyed certain types of poetry but was always too busy bringing up my family of five children."
Elizabeth Reville
Elizabeth's poetry has been published widely accross the UK.
Joanna Hall
Poet Joanna Hall is also famous as the face of United Press's Facebook advertising campaign.
Jane Lockyer Willis
Speaking to United Press, Jane Lockyer Willis said, "You have helped me over the years by giving me the opportunity to write verse. Rejection is the order of the day when seeking publication of any kind, and to have had poems accepted by United Press has been wonderful and given me the courage to continue."
Gillian Luck
"Writing is good for the soul," said Gillian Luck.
Meryl Williams
"It is very exciting to learn that I have been shortlisted for the 'A Message to You' competition," said Meryl Williams.
William T Clark
"Poetry is all about appreciating life around us," said William T Clark.
Grace Ball
"Poetry is one of my greatest passions," said Grace Ball.
Patricia Stuckey
"I first recited a poem at a school concert when I was nine," said Patricia Stuckey of Dawlish, Devon. "I have been fascinated with rhyming verse ever since, and enjoy scribbling whenever the mood takes me."
Gerry John
"Poetry gives me wings," said Gerry John.
Malcolm Benson
"I've found poetry to be the best kind of personal therapy," said Malcolm Benson.
Peter Stannard
"Writing poetry provides a window on the world," said Peter Stannard.
Sandra Nairen
"Poetry takes me to places in my imagination which I could never find in the real world," said Sandra Nairen.
Karen Waring
"Karen had to write a poem on the theme of spring," said Luke Redgrave of United Press. "Her poem is eloquently written in the classical style."
Sylvia Tweedy
"I always enjoy hearing from United Press and getting Poetry News. I stack them together in safety and read them many times," said Sylvia Tweedy.
Della Perry
"My poems express so much that I can't express in everyday speech," said Della Perry.
Judy Edwards
Judy Edwards said, "I've been writing poetry for about 40 years. I began to write more poetry when I was ill with ME and belonged to a sufferers postal group. When I entered The National Poetry Anthology competition in 2007, I started my career with United Press. I was a finalist and have been published in 20 United Press books. I have just published an illustrated poetry book of my own! 'My Art of Poetry', which is on sale from the end of August. It is illustrated with my paintings and photographs"
Hannah Kelly
Hannah Kelly has travelled between India and England, but her longest and deepest journeys have been internal, spiritual and intellectual and it is these which have informed and nurtured her work.
Geoffrey Martin
"Getting my poetry into print gave me an incredible feeling of joy," said Geoffrey Martin
Feel free to inquire about this section of the website. We take great pride in the acheivements and contributions of our poets and love to show them off to the millions of people who surf the internet every day.
Children's Laureate
Anthony Browne has been chosen as the new children's laureate for 2009 to 2011. You can read the press release and find out more about Anthony Browne's work here.