Programme
Our 2026 Programme
See our vibrant schedule below for the three-day festival, showcasing local emerging and established poets.
We have a range of events including poetry walks, workshops, headline poets, local poets, sound installation, poetry film and more. Events will be held at venues in and around Stroud town, all within walking distance.
Head over to the events page for full event information and to book your tickets.
Scroll down for event addresses and map locations ↓↓↓
Thursday 15th October
17.00-18.15
POETRY WALK AT DUSK
A guided poetry walk through the Heaven’s Valley, facilitated by Philip Rush.
Heaven’s Valley
19.00–21.00
WE ARE HERE
Open mic for local poets featuring Anna Saunders
Loganberry
Friday 16th October
9.30-10.00
MUSEUM IN THE PARK TOUR
A special guided tour with Museum Curator Zoe Wilcox.
Museum in the Park
10.00-11.30
NO IDEAS BUT IN THINGS
Writing workshop with Emily Wills exploring our local and personal histories. This workshop welcomes both newcomers to writing and more experienced poets.
Museum in the Park
12.30
LIGHTING THE FIRE
Featuring Alison Brackenbury, Bard of Dobunni, Kate Potts, Zoe Brooks and more.
Lansdown Hall
From 14.00
LIVING MATTER SOUND INSTALLATION
Chapels of Rest
POETRY FILMS
A selection of poetry films to enjoy.
Chapels of Rest
14.00-15.00
THE PRACTICE OF PLACE
Dobunni panel responding to heritage through poetic practice with Amanda Hart (Roman Baths at Bath), Kevin Ward (Museum in the Park), Adam Horovitz, JLM Morton
Lansdown Hall
15.30–16.30
TRANSLATIONS - LANGUAGES & POETRY
Karen Downs-Barton, Alun Hughes, Martha Sprackland reading and Q&A
Lansdown Hall
16.00–17.00
RHYTHM & POETRY
Middle & Thumb Collective: Chaka, Mercedes White, Solle, Lenzo, TSantana, Joshua O’Cathasaigh
Chapels of Rest
17.30-18.30
DOBUNNI POETS
Featuring Adam Horovitz & Ronnie McGrath
Chapels of Rest
17.30-18.30
NEW SHOOTS
Debut Poets at Borderless Books with Kym Deyn, Suyin du Bois & Ellora Sutton
Borderless Books
19.30-22.00
WORD LAB
Hosted by Jonny Fluffypunk & Uta Baldauf with Georgia Griffiths, Nick Degg + open mic
Trinity Rooms
All day
DOBUNNI EXHIBITION
Dobunni-inspired gallery with visual art, instant poems + zine making with Jonny Fluffypunk
The Yard Gallery
Saturday 17th October
10.00–11.00
BREAKFAST WITH BROKEN SLEEP
With Aaron Kent, Rhian Elizabeth & Jake Wild Hall
Trinity Rooms
From 11.00
LIVING MATTER SOUND INSTALLATION
Chapels of Rest
POETRY FILMS
A selection of poetry films to enjoy.
Chapels of Rest
11.45- 12.45
AMBIENT RECEIVER SHOWCASE
With Rebecca Goss, Lydia Unsworth, Ginny Darke & Eleanor Rees
Holy Trinity Church
13.30-15.00
DIRT / DIALECT PRESS SHOWCASE
With Lucy Holme, Alycia Pirmohammed & Hannah Copley, Andrew Hykel Mears & Claire Carroll, Rachel Goodman & Elvire Roberts, JLM Morton & Alice Willitts
Holy Trinity Church
15.30-16.30
ON EDITING
Panel discussion with Philip Rush & Alan Humm
Holy Trinity Church
17.00-18.00
RISE OF THE BADGER
Talk & Q&A with Dr Alex Perry on the science of extinction + open mic
Holy Trinity Church
18.30 –19.30
GATHERING IN
With Pascale Petit, Angela France, Pey Oh
Holy Trinity Church
20.00-22.00
SLIGHT NIGHT AFTERPARTY
With Lost Mythos + God of Sports
Rough Hands
All Day
DOBUNNI EXHIBITION
Dobunni-inspired gallery with visual art, instant poems + zine making with Jonny Fluffypunk
The Yard Gallery
The Venues
Loganberry Cafe
27-26 High St, Stroud GL5 1AJ.
Borderless Books
4 London Rd, Stroud GL5 2AG.
Trinity Rooms
Field Rd, Stroud GL5 2HZ.
Museum in the Park
Stratford Park, Stratford Rd, Stroud GL5 4AF.
Rough Hands Coffee
Unit 17, Five Valleys Shopping Centre, Stroud GL5 1RR.
Holy Trinity Church
1 Trinity Rd, Stroud GL5 2HY.
The Yard Gallery
Stroud GL5 1AS.
Lansdown Hall
Lansdown, Stroud GL5 1BB.
Chapels of Rest
Stroud Cemetery, Bisley Rd, Stroud GL5 1HJ.