With summer properly under way now on this marvellous north Kent coast, I’m looking forward to two poetry events this month. On Wednesday 9 July, 2025, 5.30 – 7.30pm, I’ll be reading (from Safe Ground and earlier books), alongside published poets Nancy Charley, Setareh Ebrahimi and Melinda Walker at the SECRET GARDEN CENTRE IN QUEX, BIRCHINGTON, KENT. The Secret Garden centre is one of the great delights of this area and poetry is coming to it for the first time, with music by the Jive Bros. If you’d like to bring a poem to celebrate gardens, nature and the zest of life generally – your own or a beloved classic – there’s an open mic too. Book your place in advance by contacting the centre’s shop. Tickets are £5 each to include refreshments. Please come if you can 🙂

On Tuesday 29 July, 2025, 7 – 9pm, I will be featured poet at Graeme Bosley’s Summer ‘Spoken by the Sea’ event in THE LITTLE GREEN BOOKSHOP, 38 HIGH STREET, HERNE BAY CT6 5LH. These evenings are really popular and you are welcome to join in their excellent open mic. Many thanks, Graeme, for the invitation to read.