Submit your Heroes and Heroines poems to the website to share with the people of Bideford.

Venue: Bideford People Website

Contact: Amanda McCormack
Telephone: 01271 860610
Email: bideford@thelocalpeople.co.uk
Website: www.bidefordpeople.co.uk

Phil Bowen will run two poetry workshops with students to prepare for and celebrate National Poetry Day on the 8th.

Venue: Clyst Vale Community College

Contact: Mike Ferguson
Email: fergusonm@clyst-vale.devon.sch.uk

Gez Walsh will be visiting the school to work with Westfield Students both in whole school poetry slams and smaller workshops throughout the day.

Venue: Westfield Technology College

Contact: Mandy Fowler
Telephone: 01305833518
Email: mfowler@westfield.dorset.sch.uk

To recognise National Poetry Day the Jersey Arts Trust has invited Michael Talibard to convene an evening to celebrate the sonnet. "A dozen sonnets to discuss. Just turn up, read them, and add your ha'porth. Or if you like, email me your own sonnet beforehand: I'll try to fit it in. michael@talibard.com" Please join us for a relaxed evening of discussion.

Venue: The Attic @ Jersey Opera House - Jersey

Tickets: Free

Contact: Thomas Dingle
Telephone: 01534 617521
Email: info@jerseyartstrust.com
Website: www.jerseyartstrust.com

Come and hear Harbour Poets read from their new Anthology, Essential Journey, as part of National Poetry Day. There will also be opportunity, if you wish, to read one of your own poems, or one by a favourite poet.

Venue: Mulberry Gallery, Weymouth Library

Tickets: Free

Telephone: 01305 762410
Email: admin@harbourpoets.info
Website: http://www.harbourpoets.info/

two 1/2 hour poetry readings @10am for kids, 10+ @11am for adults

Venue: Brixham Library

Tickets: free

Contact: Angie Weatherhead
Telephone: 01803 853870
Email: angie.weatherhead@torbay.gov.uk
Website: www.mattharvey.co.uk

BBC Radio Gloucestershire 7.17 - 8.45am

Venue: Gloucester

A glorious fusion of poetry and music to celebrate National Poetry Day starring Aoife Mannix and Janie Armour, supported by charismatic Mawkin:Causley singer Jim Causley. Brought to you by Apples & Snakes and Exeter Central Library

Venue: Exeter Central Library

Tickets: £5/£3

Contact: N/A
Telephone: 01392384201
Email: exeter.central.library@devon.gov.uk
Website: http://www.myspace.com/aoifemannixandjaniearmour

Alan Summers, Embassy of Japan's roving "Japan-UK 150" haiku & renga poet-in-residence will be at Bath Central Library for the whole of October starting with National Poetry Day this Thursday at 2pm. Come on down to Bath Central Library on National Poetry Day at 2p.m. to help launch the poem! The mission is to create the World’s longest ever poem with the help of visitors to Bath Central Library. RENGA Renga is a traditional Japanese group poem that is ‘shared writing’: everyone is allowed the chance to write, or orally suggest a verse. It’s very inclusive, creative, and encouraging, and the making of this communal poem is as important as the final result. THE AIM The aim is that towards the end of the residency we can display the finished renga poem in the library; to present a sense of achievement to the local community; and to develop a further interest in Japanese culture.

Venue: Bath Central Library

Tickets: FREE

Contact: Alan Summers & June Wentland
Telephone: 07979 656 775
Email: 1000Verses@withwords.org.uk
Website: http://tiny.cc/1000VerseRenga

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns from 9-18 October in a ten day 60th anniversary celebration. With its signature blend of award-winning writers, world-renowned thinkers and international star names the Festival has come a long way since its 9 events in 1949 – now attracting over 100,000 visitors to hundreds of events every year. At its heart the festival still rejoices in the joy of books, the thrill of debate and the unique interaction between writer and reader. This year’s programme looks back over the last 60 years and questions what the future might bring: 10 Guest Directors will lead this exploration, with each programming a very special day of events. Poet Simon Armitage takes to the helm on the opening Friday, followed by theatre and film director Richard Eyre, national treasure Sandi Toksvig, prize-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, scientist and broadcaster Alice Roberts, celebrated Brick Lane author Monica Ali, frontline foreign correspondent Rageh Omaar, bestselling children’s writer and Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz, comedian Mark Watson and acclaimed novelist Jonathan Coe. We've got some great events related to poetry lined up, as well as lots of free events with our Voices Off strand throughout the festival - check out what's on at our website!

Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall / Various venues

Tickets: Various

Contact: Box Office
Telephone: 0844 576 7979
Email: boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk
Website: http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature

Singer and poet Ruthie Culver reads favourite and original poems while her superb band of improvisers create music in response to the words as they emerge. "A superb fusion of music and poetry" (Swindon Advertiser). Oh and she'll sing some songs too. Presented by the Cheltenham Literature Festival as of an Utter:Jazz tour - see www.myspace.com/utterjazz for taster tracks and full tour details.

Venue: Cheltenham Playhouse

Tickets: £6

Contact: Kathleen Dodds
Email: info@ruthieculver.com
Website: http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature-2009/voices-off-utter-jazz-with-ruthie-culver/

Word On The street Peter Wyton, Brenda Read-Brown, Alison Brumfitt and Katie Fox. Starts 11.30am

Venue: The Brewery, Cheltenham

Tickets: Free

Website: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Peter Wyton will read his own work and will then be joined by others to read poems requested by the audience.

Venue: Wells Festival of Literature

Tickets: £5

Website: www.wlitf.co.uk