New Year- new intentions

Have just noticed with horror how long it is since I last posted anything here. Promise to try harder this year.

A couple of things took up my attention at the end of 2012. One was a very positive outcome from the Dickens' reading group which had been meeting throughout the year. Inevitably a few people had fallen by the wayside, but at least 6 of the group are determined to keep meeting and reading Dickens through 2013. I will help them find a venue and plan the reading and while I might not read another 6 titles by Dickens this year, I shall certainly do my best to read at least one.

 Another project I was winding up was our Poetry Places project. This promoted the work of 12 North West- based  poets. Details can be found at http://www.time-to-read.co.uk/Promotions/default.asp?id=10

 As well as producing attractive print and purchasing collections of poetry books for libraries,at least 350 people  attended a poetry event in a library as a result of this project. Some of the major successes were:
•    Kei Miller in Warrington. 35 people attended an event on a Friday evening and was extremely enthusiastically received - this is just one example from the numerous glowing comments received.
Listening to a music-like performance of a truly talented and mesmerising skilled poet – inspirational!

•    Eleanor Rees pictured, delivered 2 events, in Halton and Congleton, and used these opportunities to create new poems especially for the libraries. She said
Thank you for letting me run with this. It will feature in my PhD thesis and I've been reflecting a lot of how to write for specific contexts and small groups! I also had some very enjoyable days out and was very supported by Janette at Runcorn and Mike and Dan at Congleton who took me out to lunch and picked me up for the station etc! It's been a very positive experience and I hope to develop the work further in the future

•    Lancashire Libraries invited Kevin McCann. They scheduled two poetry writing workshops with him for Lancashire Day (27th November) ... Kevin gave excellent workshops, I was very impressed by his infectious passion for poetry and by the depth of knowledge he had and related about different poets and the techniques they used.  They were highly engaging sessions...

Its really great to have ended the year on a positive note, knowing that library work has made a difference to some readers and writers. 2013 will be a very different year I know but come back soon to find out about some plans we have for reaching new reading audiences.