A POET is set to dress up as Robin Hood to celebrate National Poetry Day and launch a range of competitions at Worcester’s Oxfam Bookshop on Thursday.
Sarah Leavesley, from Droitwich, will be wearing the costume in keeping with this year’s theme of heroes and heroines.
Mrs Leavesley, who writes under the name Sarah James, will be poet in residence at the shop in Worcester High Street on Thursday.
The 34-year-old will be at the shop from 11am to 4pm, giving people the chance to pop in and chat about poetry, share a favourite poem or bring their own work for some on-the-spot feedback.
There will be a range of inspirational exercises and ideas to share, along with a display of hero-themed poems by the Poetry Society’s Worcester and Droitwich Stanza group.
Mrs Leavesley will be helping Worcester Oxfam Bookshop to launch its range of children’s colouring and drawing contests and a children and adults’ poetry competition on the theme of heroes and heroines.
The poet also plans to use the day to write poems inspired by the National Poetry Day theme and her experiences as an Oxfam Bookshop poet in residence.
She said: “This is a chance for people to come in and share some poetry, whether they are already keen poetry lovers or enjoying it as a new experience.
“It is also a great way to celebrate this year’s theme, not just in the form of superheroes or literary heroes but the everyday heroes and heroines that feature in all our lives.” Oxfam Bookshop manager Amanda Bonnick, who is also a poet, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah James to the shop to celebrate National Poetry Day.
“As the selection of Carol Ann Duffy to poet laureate shows, poetry can be both popular and challenging, and we hope to inspire the people of Worcester to contribute their poetic offering.
“The theme of heroes can inspire us all.”
The deadline for the colouring, drawing and poetry contests is Saturday, October 17. Further details about the competitions and the day are available from the Oxfam Bookshop in Worcester High Street or by calling Amanda Bonnick at the shop on 01905 26967.
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