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Oliver joined Ver Poets last year after moving to Welwyn Garden City. A poem from his first collection, "Human Form" (Penned in the Margins, 2013), was highly commended in the Forward Prize 2014 and second collection of poems, "Incompletion", was published by Vole Books in 2025.

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Join us at The Saint & Sinner pub in St Albans on Wednesday 14th October at 7.30 pm for an evening of open-mic poetry, when our featured poet will be Oliver Dixon. The event is free and open to all (sign up on the night from 7.00 pm, if you want to read).

Oliver joined Ver poets last year after moving to Welwyn Garden City. A poem from his first collection, "Human Form" (Penned in the Margins, 2013), was highly commended in the Forward Prize 2014. A second collection of poems, "Incompletion", was published by Vole Books in 2025.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

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Listen to Ver poets, Greg Smith and Mark Randles, reading poems from our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@verpoets). You can buy copies of the anthology from our website (www.verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications).

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Hear Ver poets, Gill Knibbs and Beliz McKenzie, each reading one of their poems from our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", on our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@verpoets). You can buy copies of the anthology from our website (www.verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications).

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Ver Poets now has its own channel on YouTube, which you can follow at: www.youtube.com/@verpoets. You can hear our Chair, Stephen Claughton, being interviewed about the launch of our 60th anniversary anthology and Ver poet, Andrew Bignell, reading his poem, "Broken Window", from the anthology.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Our thanks to Christopher for an excellent reading and stimulating Q&A session, as well as to the open-mic readers and everyone who came.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

We were delighted to welcome Christopher Horton to our reading in The Saint & Sinner on Wednesday evening. Christopher read from his two pamphlets, "Perfect Timing" (tall-lighthouse, 2021) and "Clutter Jar" (Broken Sleep Books, 2025), and shared some new poems with us.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Don't forget our poetry reading & open mic with Christopher Horton at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 16th September. It's free and open to all.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Less than two weeks to go until our poetry reading & open mic with Christopher Horton at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on 16th September. It's free and open to all. #spokenwordpoetry #openmic #poetrycommunity #spokenpoetry

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Christopher's poems have appeared widely in magazines and been successful in a number of competitions. His first pamphlet, "Perfect Timing", was published by tall-lighthouse press in 2021 and his second, "The Clutter Jar", by Broken Sleep Books in November 2025.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Christopher Horton will be our guest reader at The Saint & Sinner pub in St Albans on Wednesday 16th September at 7.30 pm. The reading is free & open to all and will be followed by an open mic (sign up on the night from 7.00 pm).

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

"A mosaic of new pieces by poets familiar and unfamiliar, always readable, frequently surprising – prepare to be conquered!" JOHN GREENING

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

"The poems in this anthology are sensitively grouped to create an inviting pathway of contrasts and affinities. 'Bountiful clusters, dark inky treasure' – the poetic voices and moods, the illuminating ideas and evocations to be discovered in these pages." JANE DURAN

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

We had a good turnout last Wednesday at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans, when Simon Bowden and Marilyn Taylor read from Simon's pamphlet, "Gifts of the Dark", which deals with his recovery from tongue cancer. Our thanks to them and to the open-mic contributors for poems on medical and health issues.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Don't forget "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday evening. Book a free place (and open-mic slot, if you wish) via Eventbrite, or turn up on the night.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Only a week left to book your free tickets for this exciting, themed event at The Saint & Sinner in St. Albans. It's open to all and includes an open mic. You'll find it on Eventbrite at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-...

David Morley @profdavidmorley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Reposted by Ver Poets

Every word has a hidden life. My new web series, The Life of Words, begins today. This episode explores imagination, creativity, and where stories begin. New episodes every Tuesday. Check it out: youtu.be/i_yPTOGARAc?... www.tiktok.com/@life.of.wor...

youtu.be

Your Imagination Is The Most Important Thing About You - Life of Words #1

YouTube video by Life of Words - David Morley

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Only two weeks to go to this exciting event at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans. It's open to all and includes an open mic. Book your free tickets now from Eventbrite. It's simple to do and the following link will take you straight to the event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-....

eventbrite.co.uk

Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine

A dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden with open-mic poems on medical & health issues and an optional round table

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

"For those eager to experience the vigour of contemporary poetry, this collection of writing by members of Ver Poets and more famous names is recommended reading." MARTYN CRUCEFIX

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Tickets for this free event, which is open to all, are available from Eventbrite. For more details, see our website: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/events.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

EVENTS | Ver Poets

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Join us at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans on Wednesday 22nd July at 7.30pm for "Poetry of Encounters with Modern Medicine" – a dramatised reading from "Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden, followed by an open-mic session for poems on medical & health issues and an optional, round-table discussion.

EVENTS | Ver Poets

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

A Zoom link will be sent to contributors, as well as to Ver members. Anyone else wishing to attend should email us (verpoets@gmail.com) to ask for a link.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

There will be an online prize-giving on Saturday 11th July at 2pm, when poets will read poems from the anthology and this year's judge, Vanessa Lampert, will present her adjudication report and read some of her own poems.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Open Competition, Elsa Braekken Payne (1st), Thea Smiley (2nd) and Natalie Ann Holborrow (3rd), and to all those whose poems have been selected for the prize anthology. Full results can be found at verpoets.wixsite.com/verpo….

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

We were delighted to welcome Robin Houghton (@robinhoughton.bsky.social) and Mark Fiddes (@fiddes.bsky.social) to St Albans Library on Saturday morning. As well as giving excellent readings, they also led a very interesting discussion. Our thanks to them and to the open-mic readers.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Don't forget our reading tomorrow (Saturday) with the excellent Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. It's at 11.00 am in St Albans Library and is free and open to all. Sign up on the day from 10.30 for the open mic.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

"Versatile and vibrant, commemorating the wonder of poetry, here is a selection of poems that offers good company whatever mood you are in. I applaud the editors for such a fine achievement." SHANTA ACHARYA

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Only a week to go until the brilliant Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes read to us in St Albans Library on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am. It's free and open to all. Sign up on the day from 10.30 for the open mic. #spokenwordpoetry #openmic #poetrycommunity #spokenpoetry

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff. You can order copies from our website: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Copies of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", are available from the Publications page of our website (verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/publications). It includes new poems by Andrew McMillan, John McCullough and Tamar Yoseloff.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Join us on Saturday 27th June at 11.00 am in St Albans Library for readings by Robin Houghton and Mark Fiddes. There's an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30 am). The event is free and open to all. Details on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/eve....

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

This week's copy of the "St Albans Times" includes an article about the recent launch of our 60th anniversary anthology, "A Staircase in Mid-Air", in St Albans Library and on Zoom. For copies of the anthology, see the Publications page of our website (search for Ver Poets). issuu.com/stalbanstime...

issuu.com

St Albans Times issue 174

Independent, insightful, informative local news for the city and district of St Albans.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Our President, John Mole, cut the anniversary cake. You can buy copies of the anthology from the Publications page on our website, verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

We had a very enjoyable reading on Saturday afternoon in St Albans Library and on Zoom to launch "A Staircase in Mid-Air", our anthology marking 60 years of Ver Poets. We were joined by four of our recent Open Competition judges—Julia Webb, Rory Waterman, Adrian Buckner and Merryn Williams.

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Reposted by Ver Poets

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

We're launching our 60th anniversary anthology at 2pm on Saturday 16th May in St Albans Library and on Zoom. Book free places in the Library here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988681998..., or get a link to attend the event online here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988682482....

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

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Reposted by Ver Poets

Stephen Claughton @stephenclaughton.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Here's a piece about poetic inspiration that I've written for "Just Beauty". My thanks to Simon Bowden for inviting me to contribute. www.justbeautyportal.com/just-art/whe...

justbeautyportal.com

Where Do Poems Come From? - Just Beauty Portal

Many poetic careers have been marked by periods of silence (Longley’s own) or even the complete abandonment of the art (Rimbaud or Laura Riding).

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

There's only a week left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April. #poetrycompetitions #poetrycontests #poetrycommunity

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

With less than a week to go, we're looking forward to hearing The Booming Lovelies read in St Albans Library on Saturday. It's free & open to all and there will be an open mic at the end (sign up on the day from 10.30). #spokenwordpoetry #openmic #poetrycommunity #spokenpoetry

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Only two weeks left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Jeanette Burton's poem, "My mum accidentally leaves me a seven-minute message on WhatsApp", was commended in the Ver Poets Open Competition 2025, judged by Rory Waterman. This year's competition, judged by Vanessa Lampert, closes on 30th April. For details see: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com....

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Only three weeks left to enter your poems for the Ver Poets Open Competition 2026, judged by Vanessa Lampert. It closes on 30th April.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

The Booming Lovelies – Heather Moulson, Trisha Broomfield and Sharron Green – will be our guests on Saturday 25th April at 11.00 am in St Albans Library. Sign up on the day from 10.30 am for the open mic (first come, first served). The event is free and open to all.

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

There's only a month to go to enter your poems for this year's Ver Poets Open Competition, judged by Vanessa Lampert. The closing date is 30th April. Entry details are on our website at: verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com...

COMPETITIONS | Ver Poets

Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Kathy Pimlott's poem, "How I do the grieving a few years on", was commended in the Ver Poets Open Competition 2025, judged by Rory Waterman. To enter this year's competition, which will be judged by Vanessa Lampert, go to verpoets.wixsite.com/verpoets/com.... The closing date is 30th April.

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Ver Poets @verpoets.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

We had a full house on Wednesday for our evening of poetry at The Saint & Sinner in St Albans, when our featured poet was John Hussey. Our thanks to John and all the other excellent readers, as well as to everyone who came to support the event.