Pam Ayres was at the Book Store for a book signing of her new book ‘Doggedly Onwards’. It is a lifetime of poems, with some biography. Pam grew up in the Vale of White Horse, and her Berkshire accent is instantly recognisable.

Despite the wild winds, Abingdon folks turned out in force to buy the book and meet Pam who chatted with each of them, making them feel like old friends.

I told Pam I’d be spending the afternoon at another poetry event in Abingdon. Daniel Sluman, a talented poet, was reading his work to the Ock Poets at Unit 24 Bury Street, just across the way. Pam said, “You are having a poetical day.”

Daniel, a recent arrival to Abingdon, was shortlisted for the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize for his 2021 book, Single Window. He read poems from his three published books and two poems from his forthcoming fourth collection.

Jess, the librarian at Abingdon Library, hosted a National Poetry Day event featuring readings from three published poets: Andrew Jamison, Fiona Perry, and Daniel Sluman.

Local group Ock Poets also contributed to the event, with Jacquie Shanahan and other members sharing their work. The event was a sell-out, culminating in a good audience discussion at the end. Chris, a librarian, who helped Jess run the evening, also bravely read a poem he had written.

A tree has been set up in the library, inviting visitors to write a short extract from a favourite poem.

Jess, who has been organising author events at Abingdon Library for a few years, hosted its first poetry reading tonight. Local poet Andrew Jamison, who has won awards, read from his latest collection, ‘Swans We Cannot See.’

Andrew’s poetry reading sparked many questions from the audience. One person liked the personal ones about a young family. Others were interested in how he created his poems. Andrew usually starts by listening to music to inspire a first line, and the rest of the poem often flows. He revised each poem for this collection many times to get them right. His influences include the renowned poet Seamus Heaney and contemporary Irish poets. Andrew is originally from Northern Ireland. As a teacher, he introduces students to classical poets like Wordsworth, Shakespeare and Milton, and he thought they too had some influence. He particularly enjoys the challenge of writing sonnets.

At the end of the evening, Jess presented a small gift, and people could buy copies of his books. You can find more about Andrew Jamison on his website: https://www.andrewjamison.co.uk/

You may remember I published a book called ‘Ten Poems about Abingdon’ last year. There are copies in Abingdon Library, and still, a few are left for sale at The Book Store and Abingdon Museum. The books sell at £5, and the profits, about £4.25 a copy, go to The Abingdon Bridge young people’s charity. (The book was dedicated to Pauline Sykes, who leads the Abingdon Share a Poem group.)

There are other poetry groups in Abingdon and some excellent poets. I know of the U3A poetry group and the Quaker poetry group.

There are also the Ock Poets who meet in Abingdon Library and are eleven months old. They began in March 2022. They are a group who write poetry, have a monthly talk and a themed exercise and share their poems. The next one is tomorrow, but it is best to email the address on the poster first.

Here is an example of a poem by an Abingdon Poet called The Sea by Justin Gosling. Justin passed away last November, and I hope his family won’t mind me sharing this reading. (All Rights Reserved.) He read it in the Abingdon Share a Poem group. It can be found in his poetry book The Jackdaw in the Jacaranda, which can probably be ordered from local bookshops and is definitely available online.