POETRY NIGHT with Carol Sheppard and Josephine Lay + OPEN MIC, Saturday 17 January, 7.30pm

Join us for another great poetry night at The George, with guest readings by Carol Sheppard and Josephine Lay followed by an Open Mic session when you can perform your own work.
This is a Pay As You Feel event and donations are invited to help cover our running costs. Space is limited, so to reserve your seat, please book a free ticket using the form below. Bar and snacks will be available, and there is a lift to the first-floor gallery if you have difficulty using the stairs.

MEET THE POETS

Based in the Forest of Dean, Carol Sheppard was Poet in Residence at the Gloucestershire Poetry Festival 2023 and has published work in several poetry journals. A long-serving judge of the Mitcheldean  Festival children’s competition, she was also ‘long longlist’ judge for the 2025 Gloucestershire Poetry Society open competition. Her first collection ‘Made of Glass’ was published in 2025 by Red Balcony Press.

A former Gloucestershire Poetry Society founder and its director until 2023, Josephine Lay is a poetry all-rounder, appearing at Cheltenham and Gloucester festivals, running workshops and online poetry events and performing in venues throughout the Midlands and South West. Currently host of the Gloucester Library Poetry Café, she is also editor and creative adviser for Black Eyes Publishing. Her fourth poetry collection ‘Quintessence’ is due to be published in the spring.

OPEN MIC: HOW TO TAKE PART
If you’ve written an original poem and would like a chance to read it in front of a live audience, please feel free to book yourself a five-minute slot. Anyone can participate, and it’s a great way to gain feedback and build confidence. The session will be hosted by Steph Smith who will open the session with a poem of her own

• To sign up, please arrive in good time and add your name to the list by the door to the Gallery. The list will close at 7.15pm.
• Come prepared: Have your poem clearly written out, and read it with confidence.
• Be respectful: Listen to the host and other performers, and follow the guidelines.
• Have fun: Open Mics are enjoyable and creative!