Poetry Hour with Henry Normal & Beth Parker

Welcome to Poetry Hour! A chance for you to enjoy some wise and witty words from the wonderful Henry Normal and his special guests, in thirteen libraries around the city, completely free, as part of Nottingham Poetry Festival. No registration required – just show up.

Audience members are encouraged to bring a poem to read or simply to come and enjoy the poetry.

Festival founder, the Nottingham-born Henry Normal, began his career as a stand-up poet and went on to become a co-writer of award-winning TV and film hits including The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show and Coogan’s Run, and producer of Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge and the Oscar-nominated film Philomena.

On his Bulwell Library stop, he’ll be joined by local poet Beth Parker. After years of a long-forgotten love for poetry and writing due to mental health and substance abuse issues, Beth rekindled her passion in a ‘Recovery Group’ at Nottingham Recovery Network in 2019. As part of ‘Do or Die Poets’, she performed Sobar and soon went on to join GOBS Collective.

You might have spotted Beth at open mic nights in Nottingham including Poetry Scum, Speech Therapy and SPRAYBOX. She’s also performed sets for the charities Punk for The Homeless and Punk for The Masses. She’s currently writing a book about personal experiences in substance use, co dependency and domestic abuse, incorporating stories from other women who’ve been affected by these issues.

Check the library website for access information: https://www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/find-a-library/