The Dorothy Wordsworth Festival of Women's Poetry

The Dorothy Wordsworth
Festival of Women's Poetry

Friday, 16 April to Sunday 18 April 2010

in association with
CAROL ANN DUFFY, Poet Laureate

A three-day showcase of women's poetry in Grasmere. Featuring some of our finest women poets, chosen and introduced by Carol Ann Duffy.


When I accepted the position of Poet Laureate, I saw part of my role as highlighting the huge range of poetic talent around today, particularly among women poets. As part of this, I am delighted to work with the Wordsworth Trust on presenting what we hope will be an annual showcase of women's poetry. It seems very appropriate to do this in the name of Dorothy Wordsworth, a nurturing spirit behind William and herself an enormous talent.

The festival features my personal selection of women poets giving readings and workshops and discussing what it means to be a female poet today. I do hope that you can join us.

Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate

Friday 16 April

Intimate Reading: Jackie Kay
Dove Cottage, 5pm.
Limited to 10 people. £15.00.

Reading: Lavinia Greenlaw, Gillian Clarke
& Imtiaz Dharker
St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere, 7pm.
£9.00 advance, £10.00 on the door.

Saturday 17 April

'Dorothy Wordsworth Writer': Pamela Woof
The Jerwood Centre, 10.30am.
£4.00 advance, £5.00 on the door.

Poetry Masterclass: Emma Jones
The Jerwood Centre, 1.30pm.
Participants with poems £10.00, audience members £5.00.

The Princess' Blankets: Carol Ann Duffy
with John Sampson
Grasmere Village Hall, 2pm.
Under 16: £5.00 advance, £6.00 on the door. Adults: £7.00 advance, £8.00 on the door.

Intimate Reading: Carol Ann Duffy
Dove Cottage, 5pm.
Limited to 10 people. £15.00.

Reading: Jackie Kay, Paula Meehan & Clare Shaw
St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere, 7pm.
£9.00 advance, £10 on the door.

Sunday 18 April

Panel Discussion: 'Women-only spaces:
does poetry still need them?'
The Jerwood Centre, 10.30am.
£4.00 advance, £5.00 on the door.

A Walk with Dorothy and William Wordsworth
Meet outside Dove Cottage, 12noon.
Weather permitting. FREE, but booking required.

Workshop: Breath and the Line
with Paula Meehan
The Jerwood Centre, 1.30pm
£15.00.

Mslexia Women's Poetry Competition Launch
The Jerwood Centre, 4.15pm.
FREE, but booking required

Reading: Carol Ann Duffy, Vicki Feaver
& Emma Jones
St. Oswald's Church Grasmere, 7pm.
£9.00 advance, £10.00 on the door.

To book, please call 015394 35544, or complete our Contact Form.


Click here to listen again to some of the poems read during the Wordsworth Trust Poetry in Grasmere series.

The Wordsworth Trust offers residencies to both young and established poets giving them the time and resources to develop their craft: past artists and poets-in-residence include Jack Mapanje, Conrad Atkinson and Paul Farley. Our current poet-in-residence is Emma Jones.