National Poetry Day 2025: A Nurturing and Joyful Success!
The spirit of poetry well and truly came out to play across central Weston-super-Mare on Thursday, October 2nd, for a celebration of National Poetry Day 2025. Hosted and curated by Bob Walton and Sue Hill, aka The Write Box, the day was a huge success, creating a fun, nurturing environment where poets and poetry-lovers alike gathered in great numbers to share, listen, and connect.
From intimate workshops to high-street performances and a packed evening finale, the day saw a healthy turnout, with many people taking part—either stepping up to the mic or simply soaking up the power of the spoken word as an appreciative audience.
Wellbeing, Community, and Local Voices
The day kicked off with Writing for Wellbeing at The Lodge in Grove Park. In this nurturing space, Dr. Claire Williamson led a gentle session that emphasised creative and reflective writing. Participants shared their pieces, making for a personal and supportive start to the day.
The afternoon brought poetry to the public with “O Yay, O Yay; It’s National Poetry Day!” on Weston High Street. In an exciting modern twist on the town crier tradition, local poets drew a large crowd, using their words to share personal truths and connect with universal emotions, creating a vibrant, communal moment right in the heart of the town.
This celebration of local talent continued at The Blakehay Theatre for “Words on the Wire #2”. It was a relaxed launch for the second anthology from the Chapter 1 creative writing group. Members contributed stories and poems; the event was a joyful testament to the talent fostered within the local community.
An Evening of Poetry and Celebration
The day culminated in the highly anticipated Speakeasy Poetry evening at Loves. The 26th incarnation of Speakeasy was a special one, with The Write Box’s own Sue Hill as the featured poet, who launched her debut collection, Laying Down the Fragments, to an appreciative house. The atmosphere was supportive, with the audience embracing the personal and humorous nature of Sue’s work.
Sue said, “It was a proud moment for Bob and myself of The Write Box to hear and see Chapter 1 shine whilst reading their wonderful Words from Words on the Wire #2. The Speakeasy at Loves was a gorgeous celebration of poetry from everyone. The atmosphere was electric, engaging, fun and full of warmth. Thank you to everyone for your support on my debut launch and for purchasing a signed copy of Laying Down The Fragments.”
With the support of Louise Hill Davies and an eclectic group of open-mic poets, the evening also served as a wonderful celebration for the start of Black History Month, adding another rich layer of meaning to the night.
“What an exciting celebration of National Poetry Day it was!” said Bob Walton. “So many writers came together in different ways to share their fabulous poems. And so many other people enjoyed the laughter, joy, sadness, playfulness, dreams, memories, anxieties and hopes that poetry offers. Thank you, Super Culture. Thank you, Loves. Thank you, Blakehay. Thank you, poets. Thank you, Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset.”
All told, National Poetry Day 2025 was a resounding success, proving just how many people in Weston are ready to embrace poetry—both as creators and as captivated listeners—in a space that feels safe, supportive, and truly joyful.