Poetry Spa: an immersive day of reading & writing: Saturday 27 Feb 2027

Enjoy a Poetry Spa at Bantock House, Wolverhampton, an inspiring day devoted to reading & writing with Roz Goddard & Caroline Smith Welcome to our Poetry Spa at Bantock House, Wolverhampton - enjoy an inspiring day with Forward Prize nominated poet Caroline Smith alongside Poetry Spa host, Roz Goddard. Brought to you by Nine Arches Press and the WM Readers' Network Receive a copy ofthe Forward Prize 'Best Collection' nominated book Bycatch by Caroline Smith in the post as part of your ticket price and prepare for friendly discussion, absorption in poetry and a creative writing workshop. Start the day gently with a spell of reading. Join a small group of other bookish people to experience the benefits of concentrated reading in Bantock House, Wolverhampton (the venue is on a bus route from Wolverhampton centre and has on-site parking). Caroline Smith will lead a writing workshop, 'A Measure of Love', during the day's programme suitable for all, from absolute beginners to regular writers, as a gentle introduction into writing. The day at a glance: 10.00 - 12.00 Roz Goddard hosts a reading spa session with poetry aplenty, mindful reading, meditation and some discussion 12.00 - 1.00 Lunch: not included, but there's an on-site cafe, options close by, or bring your own 1.00 - 3.00 Writing workshop with Caroline Smith, designed for all. A Measure of Love Find poetry in unexpected places, with prompts and ideas to create poetry out of the caring roles we perform. Discover how the mundane and the life critical can be the raw materials for creativity. The snatched fragment of time, the poignant, the humorous. How can experience be caught and transfigured. We will explore poetry of consolation and poetry of warning: of care for the self and family and care for our communities and world. Why does a poem work, why does it fail, when does the tender become sentimental, a passionate cause become ‘a design on others.’ Using sources, inspirations and prompts we will generate new poems and write in unexpected ways - exploring passion and heartbreak, care we have received, care we have given, poetry that steps forward and poetry that lets go. 3.00 - 3.15 Break with cuppa and cake (included in ticket price) 3.15 - 4.00 Roz hosts an in-conversation with Caroline about her writing, with readings from Bycatch. Presented by Nine Arches Press and the West Midlands Readers’ Network. Supported by Writing West Midlands