National Poetry Day in the UK

Today, the 3rd October, is National Poetry Day in the UK. This morning on Radio 4’s “Today” programme, the Prince of Wales read Dylan Thomas’ poem “Fern Hill”. Events are taking place at Wordsworth’s home Dove Cottage in the Lake District, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford,and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, as well as dozens of other locations. The theme of this year’s event is Water, Water Everywhere. Do visit the website, you could get lost in there for the rest of the day.

A new app featuring poetry readings from actors Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Hiddleston has been released to mark National Poetry Day in the UK today (3rd October).

The Love Book App (£1.99) features actors reading famous pieces of writing on the subject of love, including works by Shakespeare and Tennyson.

Gregory Leadbetter has posted a lovely piece for the Bookseller on the use and function of poetry. It is well worth a read.

The first National Poetry Day was held in 1994, established by William Sieghart and supported by the Forward Arts Foundation.