We’re Back!

Nottingham Poetry Festival is back, bigger and better than ever for 2024! This year, we’ve pumped up the volume to bring you 10 days of spectacular performances, open mics, workshops, panels, community events and more for you to dive right into the wonderful world of poetry.

Whether you’re a poetry connoisseur, a curious could-be wordsmith, or just fancy getting in on all the fun, Nottingham Poetry Festival truly has something for everyone this year. Join us between Friday 7 June – Sunday 16 June to be at the heart of the poetry action. 

To find out more about the festival and keep up with our exciting announcements (including national headliners) be sure to give us a follow on socials, and keep an eye out for our online Festival Guide (coming soon). 

This festival could not happen without our sponsors and supporters. Huge thanks to Arts Council England, Castle Rock Brewery and Confetti Media Group.

Meet the team

Alma Solarte-Tobon

Alma has over 20 years experience in the community arts sector. Art, poetry and storytelling has been central to many of the collaborations, projects and community engagements that she has been delivering.

Alma’s work has ranged from Erasmus+ funded international projects to public art commissions. Alongside her work at City Arts, she is a Research Associate and Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University and has a passion for interdisciplinary projects.

Carys Jones

Carys is an experienced project co-ordinator, charity sector manager and enthusiastic lifelong Nottingham resident.

Carys is working to support the team in an organisational capacity to enable their creativity to be the focus. When not living for paperwork and admin tasks, she runs her own private psychotherapy practice and volunteers counselling services at Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Cara Thompson

Cara is an award winning writer, activist and creative programmer born and raised in Nottingham.

Passionate about sharing the stories that shape our communities, Cara is an active member of Nottingham’s creative quarter, joining the poetry collective GOBS in 2021, and officially joining the Notts Poetry Fest team as Marketing Assistant in 2022. She’s also very hip and cool.

Tommy Rosley (aka Tommy Farmyard)

Tommy is an experienced festival and event professional who develops, co-ordinates and produces our programme of performance events, liaising with venues, performers and connecting with international organisations and artists.

He is a director of Hockley Hustle, Young Hustlers and Green Hustle festivals and curates events and projects across the country, most recently developing Newark Festival and setting up Lush Life festival alongside MIMM. He has been an integral part of Nottingham Poetry Festival since its inception and is partial to a nice cup of tea.

Ben Macpherson

Ben is one of our festival producers and liaises with venues, artists and shapes the creative thinking behind the festival.

He’s a writer, performer and producer. His practice includes Poetry, Theatre, and comedy for a wide range of audiences. His work is characterised by a sense of playfulness that transcends genre. Ben’s credits include BBC Radio2, Radio 4 Extra and with the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature. His debut poetry collection is being published by Big White Shed later this year.

Jay Sandhu

Jay is an international selling author, comedian and poet. Punchy, informative and witty, his poetry and comedy focus on race and culture.

He is also a presenter on BBC radio and runs Nott Another events and projects. Alongside working on projects with Lakeside Arts, New Art Exchange and National Justice Museum, he manages to fit in teaching maths part-time at secondary schools across the city.

Laurie Illingworth

Laurie is an active and involved member of Nottingham’s creative scene

Working primarily within music, he coordinates marketing programmes and manages events for festivals, venues, charities and creative organisations across the city. Laurie is working with the team to build our organisational profile, develop our voice and promote our events. He curates our social media content across all platforms.