Dorset Poems Old and New, Wednesday 8 February at 11am.
Dorset is home to varied mix of writing talent and Bridport poet David Bushrod, is inviting you to the Arts Centre to celebrate some of the most wonderful work. Expect Barnes and Hardy read in a Dorset accent, original work and humorous poems by Bonny Sartin.
David will be reading from Marshwood Vale – the collected edition of his Dorset poems which were originally published in 1995. David has enjoyed Hardy’s writing since he was at school and in 2000 wrote the libretto for The Devil’s Trill. An opera inspired by Hardy’s short story ‘Absent mindedness in a Village Choir’ which was revived with much success for the Bridport Charter celebrations in 2003.
David will be joined by John Kemp – who has published three books of poetry and for many years ran the Poetry readings at Beaminster Festival, John Challis a member of the Lyme Regis Operatic Society who enjoys giving readings of Dorset poetry in dialect, and Chris Prideaux. Chris has long been a supporter of the performing arts in Bridport and has acted both with the Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society and Encore. She runs a small group interested in poetry and music, particularly old Dorset poetry and songs.
Tickets are available from Bridport Arts Centre box office £5. Call 01308 424204 to find out more.
For further information about David Bushrod please visit www.bridportpoetry.co.uk
Lewesdon Hill
The ancient woods on Lewesdon Hill Are paradise to me,
For under Summer skies I find Profound serenity.
But does the beauty draw me here That all this place pervades?
Or does some Siren spirit haunt These unfrequented glades?
The beauty here is manifest: The restless sighing trees,
And view across the sunken vale Of distant sparkling seas;
The scent of woodbine; wild brier rose; And fresh unsullied dawn;
The glory of the dappled light That hides the sleeping fawn.
But spirits too seem still to drift About this sacred place,
Of Marshwood men who tilled the soil But left no earthly trace,
And when my spirit shall be free To wander like the breeze,
I think that it will settle too Like mist about these trees.
