The Cheltenham Poetry Festival is back with another brilliant line-up for 2014. The festival will run from 28th March to 6th April, and once again it will star many poets with connections to the University of Gloucestershire.

The Poetry Festival has become an annual highlight in the cultural life of Gloucestershire; Poet Alison Brackenbury described at as a ‘triumph’ in its first year, and it has continued to delight audiences ever since. As Anna Saunders, the Festival founder and Executive Director, explains: ‘Since our launch in 2010 we have aimed to give you an all-singing, all-dancing festival – one that fuses poetry and music, film, drama and visual art. This year is no exception; we have award winning plays, cabaret nights, specially commissioned poetry cinema, poetry bands and much more.’

Anna is a graduate of the University of Gloucestershire’s MA in Creative and Critical Writing, and connections between the Festival and the University run deep. Check out the full 2014 programme here, and in the meantime here’s a guide to the events starring students, alumni, and staff (past and present) from the University of Gloucestershire:

Friday 28 March at 8:00pm at Copa
A Matter of Life, Death and Poetry
A number of poets including MA alumni Avril Staple

Saturday 29 March at 1:00pm at The Everyman Other Space Studio
John Goodby and former UoG lecturer Kate North plus open mic

Saturday 29 March 2014 at 4:30pm at Francis Close Hall
Laurie Lee – a celebration of a Gloucestershire poet’s work.
Hosted by UoG lecturer and graduate Angela France

Monday 31 March at 9:30pm at The Strand
Women’s Words
With Angela France, current students Dani Schlosser and Emmy Summers, graduate Lizzie Rogers – MC, current student Adam Magee

Tuesday 1st April 9.30pm-10.30pm at The Muffin Man
The University of Gloucestershire Creative Writing Showcase
Hosted by Adam Magee, with headliners Caitlin Clarke and Josh Martin

Thursday 03 April at 8:00pm at Copa
Anna Saunders & Jeremy Page – Struck
Launch of Anna Saunders’s New collection

Friday 04 April at 8:00pm at The Strand
Poetry Factory – Images from the Museum of Light
A poetry collective which includes MA graduate Chaucer Cameron, Anna Saunders and Avril Staple

Saturday 5th April 12.30pm-1.30pm at Copa
Poetry Pairings
Including Anna Saunders, Angela France, Adam Magee

Saturday 05 April 2014 at 5:00pm at Tailors
Peter Carpenter & Lesley Ingram – Being In Bed With Philip Larkin

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