A MOTHER is celebrating following the publication of her first full-length poetry collection.

Mum-of-two Sarah Leavesley, aged 35, of Vernon Grove, Droitwich, is an award-winning poet and her first collection titled Into the Yell has been published by Circaidy Gregory Press.

Into the Yell is a collection of more than 70 poems, some of which are inspired by her children, Daniel and Jamie, who are pupils at St Peter’s First School, Droitwich where Mrs Leavesley also runs poetry workshops.

Other poems have been inspired by Droitwich’s Spa Man statue and swimming at the leisure centre.

Mrs Leavesley, who writes under the pen name, Sarah James, said: “It’s such an amazing feeling to see my collection published and actually hold the book in my hands. It looks stunning and I can’t believe the poems have already received such great feedback.”

The former journalist will also stage a charity reading for the £2.5 million campaign for a new breast unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, backed by your Worcester News.

She also runs the local poetry group, Worcester and Droitwich Poetry Society Stanza and was the poet in residence at Worcester’s Oxfam Bookshop for National Poetry Day last October. Her numerous awards include being shortlisted in the Templar Poetry 2009 pamphlet and collection competition and having two poems shortlisted in the Plough Prize 2009.

Mrs Leavesley has also just had one of her poems chosen for the Ledbury Poetry Festival blog’s poem of the month slot.

The book is being launched at the start of Droitwich Arts and Music Festival on Saturday when Mrs Leavesley will be selling and signing copies in Droitwich town centre. The collection will also form part of her Window on the Arts combined poetry, photography and art display in Salters Shopping Centre, Droitwich from Monday, July 19 to Monday, August 2.

She will also be writer in residence in Worcester Oxfam Bookshop on Thursday, July 15 as part of Oxfam Bookfest and will fellow poet Jenny Hope at the Farrier’s Arms, Worcester, on Wednesday, August 18, in aid of the breast unit campaign.

Into the Yell by Sarah James costs £7.99 and is available from her website at http:// www.sarah-james. co.uk or the Circaidy Gregory website at http:// www.circaidygregory.co.uk.

It will also be on sale at local Waterstones from Saturday, July 10.