Ann the Poet hosts this night for anyone who loves words. The guest poet is the fabulous Nick Pemberton from Carlisle. Ann the Poet will perform a set as well and there will be an open mic. Doors 7.30, event starts at 8pm

Venue: The Kirkgate,Cockermouth

Tickets: £6/£4

Contact: Kate Hilton
Telephone: 01900 826448
Email: kate@thekirkgate.com
Website: www.thekirkgate.com

Poetry reading by Mike Barlow, winner of 2006 National Poetry Competition, and Pat Borthwick, Hawthornden Fellow and prize- winning poet. Both have collections with Templar Press. Rich and varied poetry presented by experienced readers of their own work. First event of the Ilkley Literature Festival Fringe Programme. 9.00 pm.

Venue: Ilkley Playhouse, Weston Road, Ilkley, LS21 8DW

Tickets: Free admission

Contact: Mike Barlow
Email: mike@mikeb.wanadoo.co.uk

WORDS & MUSIC COLLABORATIONS For the 5th year Lancaster Spotlight will soon be repeating its highly successful Words & Music Collaborations workshop. The workshop will be held over two days 10.00am - 4.00pm. on Saturday 3rd & Saturday 10th October 2009 at The Storey Auditorium Meeting House Lane, Lancaster The aim of the weekend workshop is to enable six writers and six musicians to work for two days in collaborations experimenting with the combination of text and sound - stretching the boundaries of music and using words and sound in abstract/atmospheric ways. Day 1 of the two day workshop will focus on creating and developing short pieces combining words and sound. Day 2 will give participants the opportunity to record the collaborative pieces produced. In a new development to the project participants will be encouraged to submit the recorded results for consideration for inclusion in Audio artists (Flax020) Flax020 will be an audio album of mp3 recordings (Have a listen to Elevator Poetry to get an idea of the approximate format.) Contributors to the audio album are being invited to submit up to 90 seconds of fiction or poetry as an mp3. This can be work that has been previously published as text,but not as an audio recording. Submissions can be solo voice, or voice and music, remixed or not, but no soundtracks or imported samples to be part of the mp3. You can have as many voices as you wish in the mp3. Submissions for Flax020 are welcome 1 - 28 Oct 2009. Use audio submission as the subject of the email, and send to flaxbooks@litfest.org If you have questions concerning any of the submissions, please contact Sarah Hymas. As places are limited to six writers and six musicians they will be allocated on a first come first served basis

Venue: The Storey, Lancaster

Tickets: £20

Contact: Ron Baker
Email: spotlightclub@btinternet.com

The 2009 Shell Chester Literature Festival runs from 3 - 18 October, a festival now in its twenty-first year. The two-week programme, packed with writers, books and ideas, is wide-ranging, offering something for almost everyone. As usual we have invited leading poets to the festival, therefore there is plenty of events on offer for those wanting to celebrate National Poetry Day, before during and after. An absolutely not to be missed event, on National Poetry Day itself, is 'Big Bang Cabaret Night' at Alexanders Jazz and Theatre Bar, Chester where you'll be enterained by performance poet Luke Wright, with sharp stand up and blistering verse, plus other guests. For more information visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk

Venue: Chester

Tickets: Various prices and l

Contact: Katherine Seddon
Telephone: 01244 405605
Email: k.seddon@chesterfestivals.co.uk
Website: www.chesterfestivals.co.uk

AN INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING SESSION LASTING JUST OVER TWO HOURS REPEATED EVERY MORNING AND AFTERNOON ON 5TH 9TH OCTOBER IN THE ATMOSPHERIC ROOMS OF CROXTETH HALL. Pupils are divided into four teams; Goblins, Cats & Bats, Dragons & Jesters to work with poems, riddles, ryhmes and told stories from different cultures.Each team forms a new story with bits and bobs they have gathered and traded with the Mysterious "Crow" - (keeper of the library of words used to develop a brand new story) which is then performed by the four groups to the assembled company.

Venue: Croxteth Hall & Counrty Park

Tickets: SCHOOLS ONLY £5 PER

Contact: Martin O'Connor
Telephone: 0151 233 6912
Email: martin.oconnor@liverpool.gov.uk
Website: www.croxteth.co.uk

Get inspired by a painting at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, write a poem about it and send it to us by Monday 2 November. We'll publish a selection of them on the website and pick one winning poem. The winner can choose one poetry book from the three listed on the website. The theme for this year's National Poetry Day is 'heroes and heroines', so we have chosen a number of paintings that we think fit in with this idea. So now it's your turn to look through our paintings and get inspired! Visit the Walker Art Gallery website to see the selection of paintings and to enter online.

Venue: Walker Art Gallery

Tickets: Free to enter

Email: web@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Website: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/online/getinspired.aspx

A week long celebration of poetry including a two day visit from poet and author Andy Seed.

Venue: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Tickets: n/a

Contact: Andrew Poskitt
Telephone: 01942 231478
Email: aposkitt@sacredheart.wigan.sch.uk
Website: n./a

Write us a poem for National Poetry Day. Hand it into the library staff before 6th October, then come to our coffee afternoon to read what people have written. We'll add the poems to our poetry file which is kept in the library.

Venue: Disley Library

Tickets: Free

Contact: Margaret Marshall
Telephone: 01663 765635
Email: disley.library@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Website: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries

To celebrate national Poetry day, meet John Lindley, Cheshire Poet Laureate 2004, 2pm

Venue: Alsager Library

Tickets: Free

Telephone: 01270 873552
Email: alsager.infopoint@cheshireeast.gov.uk

One of the regular 'loop' gatherings but in celebration of NPD. A short local film then heroic poeting from former Cheshire poet laureate John Lindley. All welcome but booking please

Venue: Ronnies Bar, Dukes Court, Macclesfield

Tickets: free

Contact: jane
Telephone: 07981128454
Email: maccloop@googlemail.com
Website: www.maccloop.blogspot.com

A welcome return to Crosby Civic Hall by the country's best known and most popular poet. Her reading will include a performance and accompaniement by musician John Sampson.

Venue: Crosby Civic Hall

Tickets: £12 (£10 concession

Telephone: Box office 0151 928 1919
Website: www.seftonarts.co.uk

Young People performing and judging their own work in this fun slam run by local performance poet Rob Stevens of Word WIzards.

Venue: Buxton Library

Tickets: free

Contact: Angela Wilson
Telephone: 01298 25331
Email: angela.wilkinson@derbyshire.gov.uk

The results of the search for Ansdell's Favourite Poem are announced.

Venue: Ansdell Library

Tickets: Free

Contact: Aileen Smeldey
Telephone: 01253 738554
Email: ansdell.library@lancashire.gov.uk

A llunchtime gathering of children's eye care specialists to put up their favourite poem

Venue: Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Tickets: free

Contact: Arvind Chandna
Email: arvind.chandna@alderhey.nhs.uk

8pm Jacob Polley joins David Borott, Mike Di Placido and Robert Powell, for an evening of readings. A partnership event between the Albert Poets and Kirklees Libraries.

Venue: The Albert Pub, Victoria Lane, Huddersfield

Tickets: Free

Contact: Mai Lin Li
Telephone: 01484 226364
Email: mailin.li@kirklees.gov.uk
Website: www.jacobpolley.com

Hattersley & Mottram Community Media ( a community organisation in Hattersley, Tameside ) launched an online poetry project called the Poetry Vault last year to coincide with National Poetry Day 2008. To celebrate National Poetry Day 2009 we are launching an exhibition of some of the poetry contributed to the Vault by the people living in the Hattersley and Mottram community. We are combining this event with our AGM which will start at 12.30pm in Hattersley Community Centre . Several of the poets whose work is featured have agreed to come along, to the launch and AGM, to wax lyrical about their poetry and read one or two of the poems to our assembled members and guests. If you are one of our members we hope you will be able to join us and anyone else who is interested will be made very welcome. The exhibition will include all the works that have been chosen to be printed in the Community News, our monthly community newspaper, since the project began. But we also want you to be involved in choosing the some of the poetry to be included in the exhibition. You can cast your vote for your favourites by visiting our website at www.hmcm.org.uk and clicking the link to the Vault. Just comment on the poems you would like to see in the exhibition and those with the most comments will also be included. To find out more about the Vault or our event give us a call on 0161 368 5171

Venue: Hattersley Community Centre

Tickets: FREE

Contact: Muriel Stretton
Telephone: 0161 368 5171
Email: muriel.stretton@hmcm.org.uk
Website: www.hmcm.org.uk

Join local poats and writers for a relaxing hour of tea, cake and poetry. Share your own work, bring your favorite poem by another writer, or just come and listen and enjoy the cake! At Bury Library, Manchester Road, Bury BL9 0DG from 1pm - 2pm. All are welcome.

Venue: Bury Library

Tickets: Free

Contact: Alison Bond McNally
Telephone: 0161 253253 5872/5873
Website: www.bury.gov.uk

Woodlands are encouraging the pupils to read, listen and then WRITE poems. Each class will write a poem and the 2 lucky winners in each get a £5 book token and a nice display too. Local bookseller Tony Higginson is coming in his posh suit to read from Shakespeare to rosen and in between for 30 mins at assembly too...must be mad!

Venue: woodlands Primary school, Formby, Merseyside

Tickets: free

Contact: Tony higginson
Telephone: 01704875765
Email: info@pritchards-formby.co.uk
Website: www.pritchards-formby.co.uk

Join members from Irwell Writers tea, cakes and reading poetry along the theme of Heroes and Heroines.

Venue: Bury Library, Manchester Road, Bury BL9 0DG

Tickets: Free

Contact: Bury Library
Telephone: Bury Library
Email: bury.lib@bury.gov.uk
Website: www.bury.gov.uk/libraries

We are hosting a poetry marathon from 10-5. Poets, aspiring poets or lovers of poetry can come along read their own work or that of their own heroes of poetry. all welcome. just email to reserve a slot.

Venue: Hornby Room, Central Library

Tickets: free

Contact: anna-maria parry
Telephone: 07875 434 292
Email: info@northendwriters.co.uk
Website: northendwriters.co.uk

Stockport writer and poet Edward Holdsworth died in September and his poetry will be read at the various events during National Poetry Day to honour his memory. A Poetry Praise Service will be held at St Mary's Church, Market Place, Stockport on National Poetry Day, Thursday, October 8th. The Service will be taken by the Reverend Roger Scoones. Poems by Edward and other poets will be read.

Venue: St Mary's Church, Market Place, Stockport

Tickets: Free

Contact: Rev Roger Scoones
Telephone: 0161 429 6564 or 0161 480 1815
Email: charlestwford@aol.com
Website: www.createwrt.net

Competition to create a BIG poem on the theme of heroes. All entries combined to make one poem, prizes for best entries. 9th Oct visit by poet, John Siddique, who will be running workshops and giving readings throughout the day.

Venue: Runshaw College

Tickets: Free

Contact: Martin Ellison
Telephone: 01772 622677 x.2011
Email: ellison.m2@runshaw.ac.uk

There are 15 Victorian & Edwardian Paintings in Gallery II of the William. 15 Wirral Poets have each written a poem inspired by a painting of their choice. On the evening of National Poetry Day, the Williamson 15 will stand in front of their paintins and read their poems

Venue: Williamson Art Galery & Museum

Tickets: Free

Contact: John Gorman
Telephone: 0151 651 2862
Email: johnhgorman@ntlworld.com

A poetry showcase featuring NW poets including Ann the Poet and Annie Clarkson from 3.30-5pm

Venue: Blackpool Library

Tickets: free

Contact: Ann Wilson
Email: annthepoet@googlemail.com

Write Out Loud & The Tudor House host a National Poetry Day Open Mic Event. 8pm At The Tudor open mic people crowd in to listen to bawling, drunken, old, young, new and subtle poets. Some funny, some melancholy, some political and some absurd. Come on down, all welcome! A night of poems, performance and drink A drink of night, performance and poems Of performance, poems and a drink Drink performance of poems, a night - though not necessarily in that order. Comments: 'A rollicking good night' 'Things are happening at the Tudor.You can just feel it in the atmosphere.Unbelievably good night!' 'To be serious I felt the Tudor has come of age as a poetry venue, poetry sits seamlessly with all the normal functions of a good pub, and the regulars and the irregulars weave indistinguishably between the bar, the loos, the stage and the garden. Hoorah!' 'Once again the Tudor sets the standard for Performance Poetry' 'Loved seeing everyone perform and meeting so many friendly faces' 'Wigan is the ideal place to begin, develop and ultimately enjoy both your own poetry and that of other like minded people' All welcome. The Tudor is next to the bus station, 5 mins walk rail stations

Venue: The Tudor House, Wigan

Tickets: free

Contact: john togher
Telephone: 01942825771
Email: john.togher@nxnwfestival.co.uk
Website: www.writeoutloud.net

Waxing lyrical in Tyke twang Bradford Council is calling all poets, poetry lovers and those interested in hearing Yorkshire dialect to go along to two free events being held on National Poetry Day on Thursday October 8. Keighley historian Ian Dewhirst will be giving two talks on Yorkshire dialect in Keighley Local Studies Library within Keighley Library on North Street at 2pm and 7pm. Ian will be explaining such odd quotes as "Doan't cast a claht, till May be aht" and "Tuppince wur all th' brass Aw had, An Aw'd ment it for ale when coom nooin... Coun Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's Executive Member for the Environment, said: "Yorkshire Dialect Poety is an important part of our local heritage, and as well as being entertaining is also a rich poetic tradition in its own right. "This event will be a rewarding and educational afternoon for people interested in poetry and the history and relevance of the native twang of Keighley and Yorkshire." A display of rare and curious items from the local Yorkshire dialect collection will be on show thoughout the day. Ends For more information contact Caroline Brown, Acting Senior Information Manager for Keighley Local Studies Library, on 01535 618215.

Venue: Keighley Local Studies Library

Tickets: Free

Contact: Simon Rourke
Telephone: 01535 618215
Email: keighleylocalstudies@bradford.gov.uk
Website: www.bradford.gov.uk

Enjoy an evening of poetry with Jo Bell, Cheshire Poet Laureate 2007 and Co-Ordinator of National Poetry Day across the UK. Refreshments provided.

Venue: Nantwich Library Beam Street Nantwich Cheshire CW5 5LY

Tickets: £5

Contact: Janet Judge
Telephone: 01270 375360
Email: nantwich.infopoint@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Website: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries

A celebration in words and music. The Congleton Choral Society will be joined by Cheshire poet laureate W. Terry Fox and soloists Lis Murphy, Stephanie Donaldson, Simon Beasley and Andrew Donaldson.

Venue: Congleton Town Hall, Congleton, East Cheshire

Tickets: £10 - Concessions £9

Contact: W. Terry Fox
Telephone: 01782 771718
Email: w.terryfox@btinternet.com
Website: n/a

Festuring NW tops including Tony Walsh and Ann the Poet

Venue: Crewe MMU

Contact: George Palmer
Email: george@applesandsnakes.org
Website: www.applesandsnakes.org

Ann the Poet joins her guest NE poet Keith Armstrong.They willperform for 20 mins each and there will be an open mic. Doors 7.30,starts 8pm, come early to sign up for open mic

Venue: The Continental, South Meadows Lane,Preston, PR1

Tickets: £3

Contact: Ann Wilson
Email: www.annthepoet.com
Website: www.annthepoet.com

This is an open mic night for anyone who wants to read poetry either theirs or someone else's. Storytelling is also welcome. Their is a ghostly theme but this is optional. Pay on the door or book ahead. BYO - Booze and Food.

Venue: Bolton Arts Studios,Hampson Stree, Horwich, Bolton

Tickets: £ 2.50

Contact: Zoey Wright/Jennifer Gilmore
Telephone: 01204 699 611
Email: zoey.wright@mhist.co.uk/jen_gilmour@yahoo.co.uk

There will be a coffee morning from 10am- 12am on Thursday 5th November. At 11am John Lindley, Cheshire Poet Laureate 2003, wiil be reading from his latest collection 'The Casting Boat'.

Venue: Poynton Library

Tickets: FREE ADMISSION

Contact: Linda Woodrow
Telephone: 01625 876257
Email: goodmanwoodrow@cheshireeast.gov.uk