Impressive line-up at this year's Southwell Poetry Festival

The Southwell Poetry Festival, which opens later this month, is one of the highlights of our cultural calendar. In this guest blog Sarah Payne, from the town's Tourist Information Centre, writes about what people can expect.  The annual Southwell Poetry Festival is only a few weeks away - and this year's event promises to be as diverse and inspiring as ever. Among the highlights will be appearances from Derbyshire Poet in Residence Helen Mort, who was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize and the Costa Prize for her collection Division Street, and Elaine Feinstein who has written not only poetry and fiction but also television dramas and plays. For the first time the festival will include a Poetry Slam during which wordsmiths will battle it out in rounds of competitive poetry. The competition will be hosted by Nottinghamshire performance poet Andrew 'MulletProof' Graves and promises to be action-packed and thought-provoking. During the festival, children will have the chance to contribute to the Bramley Apple Poetry Tree by writing their own poems on paper leaves which will be hung on a specially-constructed tree outside the library. Meanwhile, for those who prefer something with a classical flavour, there will be a performance of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales by the Southwell Theatre Group. The Southwell Poetry Festival, which has been organised by Nottinghamshire County Council, takes place at Southwell Library between 17th and 20th July. Click here to download a full programme. While you are visiting the poetry festival why not take the time to explore Southwell further? The historic town is home to the stunning Minster as well as the newly-restored Bishop's Palace. Visit the Tourist Information Centre on Church Street and pick up a Heritage Trail which tell you about the town’s connection with the Bramley apple, the nearby Workhouse and the final hours of Charles I. There are also plenty of independent shops, coffee shops, while on Saturdays there is a market selling local produce and homemade cakes.