William Matthew Timothy Stephen Sieghart CBE (born 1960) is a British entrepreneur, publisher and philanthropist [1] and the founder of the Forward Prizes for Poetry. He is former chairman of the Somerset House Trust. [2] Education and career [ edit ] Visit Stonehouse Brewery. Learn about the brewing process and sample some of their award-winning beers. Here are some gems I discovered (there are a lot more, but including them would just mean re-writing the book in the review): I love her story, too, because it’s all about creativity finding its own unconventional path. Alma shows how we’re all free to invent our working lives, if only we have the imagination, along with the resilience and resourcefulness you need when you’re choosing to go your own way.

Pat Edwards, who works at the Poetry Pharmacy and also runs the Welshpool Poetry Festival, says the experience is “just as beneficial, if not more so, than any drug”. She became more involved with poetry, even writing her own, after a serious illness six years ago. People aren’t saying, ‘I’m miserable’, ‘I’m lonely’, ‘I’m being betrayed’ or ‘I’m sexually frustrated’– the last thing they’ll do is say how they might feel. Take a trip to the UNESCO WHS Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Marvel at this engineering marvel and enjoy the stunning views of the River Dee Valley. This anthology of anthologies draws on the ten Forward Books of Poetry published to accompany the prizes between 2001 and 2010. Market Drayton is a charming market town in Shropshire, England, with a rich history and vibrant community. From its bustling cattle market to its beautiful gardens and countryside, there`s something for everyone to enjoy in Market Drayton.I thought that was really sad,’ says William, ‘and I asked him what he thought that was about. He said, “I don’t know, I’m kind and loving, I’m upbeat and positive and so on. But, I’m Muslim and I’m gay, and I can’t be both.” In her forties, while recovering from an abusive relationship, she went to university to study creative writing, expressing her pain in poems that were eventually published in a collection, Dirty Laundry. What I learned is that people quite like you listening, valuing the small things they say. The questions I ask are all intended to take people to positive places. They’re intimate without being invasive, which is key. The Poetry Habit introduces you to the transformative effects of a daily poetry prescription. We explore innovative ways to read, write, learn and share poetry, placing particular emphasis on cultivating everyday habits that inspire joy, deepen meaning and build creativity. We’re keen to help people use poetry to aid with ailments of the heart, mind and soul in their personal and professional lives. If you are an individual or a company interested in this, too, let us know.

Quite easily the best birthday present I ever got, gifted to me by a close friend a few years ago. I consult it from time to time and find a lot of comfort in it. It is amazing what some kind and true words can do for your mind. Some things aren't fixable (with reason) but new perspectives and comforting words of understanding and meaning go a long way. The fourth session will focus on developing habits and practices for doing something creative every day. We’ll explore the challenges of working in imperfect conditions, defying inner critics, seeing and growing what’s good, and persevering with creative habits even when we feel like giving up.I liked the concept and premise of this variegated anthology a lot. A fine poem a day keeps the doctor away. As a believer in the power and the necessity of poetry, I cheer William Sieghart’s laudable mission to listen to people’s problems and administer a “prescription” in the shape of poem to those affected by what he classifies as “conditions” (mostly ‘spiritual ailments’ as there are, addiction, despair at the absurdity of the world, aging, the emotions connected to love, regret, self-recrimination, heartbreak, depression, isolation, various forms of fear, grief, lethargy, illness, worrying and many, many more - the array of human suffering is wide). As a devotee and promotor of poetry, having founded National Poetry Day in Britain, he understood that suffering is the access point to poetry for a lot of people and that such offers a momentum to introduce people to poetry as they are ready to open their ears, hearts and minds – and find poetry as a balm, a comfort, a smile, a succour, or simply a help to embrace one’s feelings in certain situations (infatuation, grief) The poems are presented in five categories, touching on mental and emotional wellbeing, motivations, self-image and self-acceptance, the world and other people, love and loss. There’s a skill to creating spaces where people feel really comfortable, and it’s one Alma seems to possess in abundance. You see photographs of her shop and you just want to be in there, reading a good book in the cosy café while sipping a nice cup of Tea (S Eliot) along with a piece of Philip Parkin cake. The Poetry Habit is an online course held on zoom over five weekly sessions, led by artist and writer Sophie Howarth , and organised by the Poetry Pharmacy. The Forwards are among the world’s most coveted poetry honours. They have been awarded annually since 1992 for the Best Collection, Best First Collection and Best Single Poem published in Britain and Ireland, and the roster of winning, shortlisted and highly commended poets regularly juxtaposes familiar canonical names with fresh voices.

Prized Poems: Twenty-five Years of the Forward Prizes | Forward Arts Foundation". www.forwardartsfoundation.org. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. I would ask lots of questions. The fact that people have come does not mean they are willing to open the door to a stranger. Sometimes, they’d say: “I don’t know why I’m here, I don’t have any problems, my life is great.” Those were the people who often would be crying within five minutes.

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This is turn led to her using poetry while working with survivors of domestic abuse and with people with dementia. This then inspired her to buy an ambulance, and become the Emergency Poet.