From the Cathedral and quaint Tudor buildings to the iconic bridge over the River Severn, Worcester has plenty to inspire writers and artists.
Katy Wareham Morris
Now, a University of Worcester lecturer’s guided poetry walk invites residents to put pen to paper inspired by the sights and sounds of the City and the significance of local landmarks.
Senior Lecturer in Media and Film Studies, and Cultural Studies, Katy Wareham Morris, a published poet herself, is delivering a free writing and walking workshop through the City stopping at various locations called ‘What is Worcester Today?’, on Saturday November 16, 10am – 11am.
For Ms Wareham Morris the experience of walking poetry is more than just using places and spaces as writing stimulus; it encourages people to engage with their surroundings in a personal way.
“It’s not so much a history lesson, it’s going to be much more about stimulating people to write about the location in terms of their own personal perspective, memories, feelings,” she said.
The event is run as part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities taking place November 7-16. This year’s theme is landmarks.
“Our interpretation of the theme is thinking about Worcester and its historical, cultural, social and also personal landmarks,” said Ms Wareham Morris. “That really aligns with my poetry and interest in psychogeography and walking poetry. Psychogeography explores how our geographical environment affects our thinking and behaviours. Places and spaces have significant meaning to us for different reasons: maybe it’s personal histories and memories. Maybe that synchronises with the social and historical context, but maybe it doesn’t.
“A landmark doesn’t have to be a physical building. It might be a landmark moment in your personal history, so people won’t necessarily have to write about the 'landmarks' they see, but maybe how these physical landmarks trigger a memory linked to their personal history or landmark moment, things that have happened in their life.”
The workshop is open to everyone, whether complete beginner or experienced poet. Participants will walk through the City on an accessible route, pausing to write and listen to poetry, with Ms Wareham Morris providing some prompts along the way. Sights will include The Hive (where the walking tour starts), the Cathedral and the river, but will also pay attention to lesser-known 'landmarks' like street art. Ms Wareham Morris will read excerpts from her most recent collection, Violet Existence, and new poems.
“There’s a literary historical link between walking and poetry and the sensory experience of being in nature,” added Ms Wareham Morris. “There is a long tradition embraced by the Romantic poets which argues that human sensibilities can be transformed through a greater awareness of our surroundings, that humans can engage in some kind of extraordinary experience.”
Places must be booked. Visit The Hive website.
The Festival is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.
For further information on the Being Human Festival visit the Festival website.