South Downs
Poetry
Events
Exploring, celebrating, developing the written and spoken word.
EVENTS 2026
CELEBRATING KEATS
Location: Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre, Chichester, PO19 7XY
Date: Wednesday 25th February 2026
Time:7.30pm
Celebrate Sussex’s most famous poetic visitor with poems by Keats and local poets inspired by Keats in the open mic. Headlining is distinguished Bloodaxe poet STEPHANIE NORGATE with an introduction by PROF FIONA PRICE from Chichester University. Followed by an open mic with a mix of Romantic and contemporary poems.
Be inspired and entertained as today’s writers pay tribute to the great visionary writer of the Romantic movement.
Entrance £5 on the door. Sign up if you would like to read in the open mic.
Upcoming Event
WENDY KLEIN READS FROM HER PAMPHLET HAVING HER CAKE.
Prizewinning Anglo-American poet Wendy reads from her new set of poems on the assisted dying of a life-long friend in California. Remarkable, original, moving and inspiring. Followed by an open mic for poems on any subject. Sign up on the door to read. Entrance £5 cash.
Location: New Park Centre, Chichester, PO19 7XY
Date: Wed 28 January 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Upcoming Event
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BLAKEFEST with the BONZOBILLS!
Location: Felpham Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Felpham, PO22 7DZ
Date: Saturday 30th November 2024
Time:2pm onwards
Celebrate Sussex’s most famous artistic resident with words and music from musicians and writers currently living in Sussex. Headlining in the evening is the legendary comedy band THE BONZOBILLS (latest incarnation of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band). Romany poets and harpist in KIN, and guitar/poetry duo Poetry in Motion, with Chris Hardy (guitar/song) and Barry Smith (poetry), plus talks, art, music and more in the afternoon.
William Blake lived in the Sussex seaside village of Felpham near Bognor Regis from 1801-1803, where he saw visions of angels and was inspired to write Jerusalem. He was placed on trial in Chichester for sedition after an altercation with a soldier outside an inn.
Be inspired and entertained as today’s musicians and writers pay tribute to the great visionary artist and radical poet William Blake.
Tickets £18 all day (sudents £15); £15 evening only (students £12); £6 afternoon only (students £4)
Tickets from the Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH. Tel. 01243 816525
https://chichesterboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows
BLAKEFEST with the BONZOBILLS!
Location: Felpham Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Felpham, PO22 7DZ
Date: Saturday 30th November 2024
Time:2pm onwards
Celebrate Sussex’s most famous artistic resident with words and music from musicians and writers currently living in Sussex. Headlining in the evening is the legendary comedy band THE BONZOBILLS (latest incarnation of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band). Romany poets and harpist in KIN, and guitar/poetry duo Poetry in Motion, with Chris Hardy (guitar/song) and Barry Smith (poetry), plus talks, art, music and more in the afternoon.
William Blake lived in the Sussex seaside village of Felpham near Bognor Regis from 1801-1803, where he saw visions of angels and was inspired to write Jerusalem. He was placed on trial in Chichester for sedition after an altercation with a soldier outside an inn.
Be inspired and entertained as today’s musicians and writers pay tribute to the great visionary artist and radical poet William Blake.
Tickets £18 all day (sudents £15); £15 evening only (students £12); £6 afternoon only (students £4)
Tickets from the Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH. Tel. 01243 816525
https://chichesterboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows
2024 is the Year of Poetry Partnerships. The South Downs Poetry Festival is committed to continue to bring you stimulating new poetry to enjoy. With partnerships including:
