I had a great time last night at Gloucester Royal Hospital. I was asked to help present copies of a poetry anthology to the poets involved, all of whom have been looked after by the education department of the children’s ward.

The children had all been through the ward at some time. Some for broken bones some for more life-threatening reasons. It was a joy to meet them all, as I’d been reading their poems for a while, as I was deciding which ones to read aloud at the event. There were clever poems and sad poems and happy poems and funny poems. Matching up the writers to the poems was interesting and I felt very pleased when assumptions I’d made about the poet and their inspiration was correct.

The book was illustrated by Poppy Roberts, a sprightly young woman who is now doing Fashion at Uni. Her designs will be used as the Hospital Trust Christmas card. Good luck to her. I feel we will hear more from her.

I was really impressed by the poems. It’s good to read poetry now and then and be reminded of what it has to offer both to the writer and the reader. We don’t read poetry fro fun much. maybe it seems to much hard work, but like most things a bit of hard work usually brings its own rewards.

It was a bit of a party and I think everyone had a good time. The Staff are all lovely and obviously very caring and involved in the well-being and continuing education of their charges, who at times must not feel like doing school! Then again, a bit of school might be a welcome relief from the day to day routine of the ward.

Thanks for having me!