Morecambe Poetry Festival

The godfather of punk poetry John Cooper Clarke opens the fifth edition of the Morecambe Poetry Festival with 10 nationally acclaimed poets taking to the Winter Gardens stage.

Dr John Cooper Clarke, aka the Bard of Salford, is joined by festival favourite Jan Brierton on Friday 18 September. Patience Abgabi and Nick Helm headline the evening Saturday show at 5pm; followed by Salena Godden and Henry Normal - back for the fifth time - at 7.30pm.

The festival closes on Sunday with Luke Wright and Kate Fox at 5pm and Brian Bilston and Attila the Stockbroker at 7.30pm. All individual shows are £25 plus booking fee, with the full weekend pass offering the best value for money access to every single show for just £65.

The action moves over to the King’s Arms on Friday with Thick Richard and Miles Hadfield before the floor is thrown open for the famous late night ‘They Shoot Poets Don’t They’ open mic.

Early risers can enjoy a poetry breakfast on all three days leading into the day’s activities such as the free Word Walk or the workshop ‘So you think you can't write a poem, let us prove you wrong!’ at the library on Saturday. 

Comedian, author and broadcaster Robin Ince is returning to the festival on Saturday, taking the stage at the King’s Arms at 1pm, before a Burning Eye takeover, Demi Dhotel, Des Mannay, Tim Barlow and a Geordie takeover. The late night action comes from Pete Ramskill and Dave Viney, followed by, yes, you guessed it, the open mic!

It’s a chance to meet the publishers on Sunday at 11am, before the poetry starts with festival favourite Jackie Kay at midday, followed by Lisa Moore, Peter Shukie, Elvis McGonagall and two more regional takeovers. The Newton Neurotics and Monkey Poet - performing new poems - take to the stage before the last open mic of the festival weekend brings the curtain down on the word fiesta. 

The four winners of the local poetry slam are also preparing for their moment on the main stage with workshops and stagecraft sessions at the Winter Gardens