BFL9 - Sometimes Only A Poem Will Do

For ageing bodies and existential crises, for treasured friends, barely tolerated siblings, beloved aunts and revered grandparents; from weathering sorrow and sudden loss, to dealing with environmental despair and burnout, William Sieghart has the poem for you. 

If it’s guidance you need, or simply a moment of beauty, his Poetry Pharmacy provides solace, joy and inspiration, one verse at a time.  Bath-based author Laura Beatty will be in conversation with William about his poetry life, and the story behind the Poetry Pharmacy. William welcomes questions from the audience and will be reading from his books. 

William Sieghart is the founder of the Forward Prizes for Poetry and National Poetry Day. In 2012 he started his poetry pharmacy listening to thousands of people’s problems and finding them a poem to help them with their anxieties. He is also the founder of Streetsmart, Action for the homeless and formerly a member of the Arts Council and chairman of Somerset House. 

Laura Beatty is the author of two biographies, two novels and two genre-defying books (a mix of travel, history, memoir and fiction). Her first novel, Pollard – which the Observer called a “fierce and wonderful” book – won the Authors’ Club First Novel Award as well as being shortlisted for the Ondaatje prize for books which evoke the spirit of place. Her most recent book, Looking for Theophrastus, was shortlisted for the Runciman prize. She is a teacher of creative writing and a Royal Literary Fund fellow, currently attached to UCLH. She runs writing workshops for the NHS and in recovery colleges, nationwide. She lives in Bath and on the Greek island of Syros.

Sponsored by The Norie Trust