TALENTED poets united on Thursday evening to share their work at the monthly Dear Listener event in Worcester.

Organised by Worcestershire's Poet Laureate, Dr Charley Barnes, Dear Listener takes place at Boston Tea Party in Broad Street, usually on the third Thursday of each month.

Dr Barnes said: "Dear Listener was launched in December 2017 in the hope of giving poets a space to share their grievances, experiences and anything in between, without having to censor themselves or their words.

"Since starting the event, award-winning poets from up and down the country - such as Casey Baily and Leanne Moden - have visited Dear Listener as headliners, as well as local talent such as Holly Daffurn and Polly Stretton.

"It's grown from a small audience of supportive friends to a packed out room of strangers looking for a safe space, which is something I hope Dear Listener can always provide.

"Boston Tea Party has also been hugely supportive in the growth of the event as they put a roof over our heads every month - and they never moan when we leave later than planned.

"Dear Listener usually takes place on the third Thursday of the month, although all of the dates can be found on our various social media channels (@dearopenmic is our Twitter handle, for anyone who wants to keep in touch there, but we're also on Facebook and Instagram).

"Next month's headliner is another award-winning poet with several full-length collections and chapbooks behind her – Kate Garrett will be journeying down to Worcester on September 26 to wow audiences and it would be great to see people come out to support her."

Dear Listener always runs from 6.30pm to around 8.30pm and entry to the event is £3.

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