Palmers Green's most famous poet lived in Avondale Road
Two poetry events with a Palmers Green connection are coming up at the Dugdale Centre.
The first, on Saturday 24th November, is an afternoon of poetry workshops with the theme Broomfield House and Surrounding Places Past and Present.
Highly experienced and much published poet Katherine Gallagher will help participants put into poetic form their memories of Broomfield House, the fire which destroyed it and the beauty of Broomfield Park and of nearby places.
Triggering writing ideas
The workshop, organised jointly by the Museum of Enfield and Poetry in Palmers Green, is one of a series of events being held at the Dugdale Centre and in Broomfield Park in connection with the exhibition Hidden Treasures: Revealing Broomfield House and Park. Participants will have the opportunity of using exhibits to trigger writing ideas.
Katherine Gallagher
Katherine Gallagher is a leading member of the group Poetry in Palmers Green, which was set up after the Palmers Green Bookshop closed in 2008. The group members organise twice yearly events at St John's Parish Centre and are official Poets in Residence at Palmers Green Library.
The workshop is suitable for both experienced poets and beginners.
The cost of the workshop is £28 (concessions at £25 are available for under-16s, senior citizens and disabled people). The price includes refreshments.
To book visit www.dugdalecentre.co.uk/whats-on/poetry-workshop-inspired-by-broomfield
Dancing in blue flip-flops
One week later, on 1st December, another leading member of Poetry in Palmers Green will be guest of honour at the monthly meeting of the Enfield Poets.
Christine Vial
While Katherine Gallagher has published many "pamphlets" - the term used to describe slim volumes of poetry - Christine Vial's name appeared on a book cover for the first time this year. Her pamphlet is called Dancing in Blue Flip Flops, and she will be reading from it at the event, also held in the Dugdale.
Christine grew up in the East End and now lives in Enfield with her American artist husband, where she teaches literature and creative writing. She has an MA in Literature and Creative Writing from UEA.
Her poetry has been described as “highly visual and anchored by wry humour" and she has been called "a poet that writes with earthy realism, intimacy and humour.”
The Enfield Poets monthly meetings also give less experienced poets a chance to try out their work in front of a friendly and sympathetic audience and to learn something from the monthly guest poet.
For more information about the Enfield Poets meeting see our What's On page.