The interest in the ‘To The Dabbin Houses’ day has been great and we’re confident that we’re in for a great day of expert talks and music. The tickets are selling nicely. The band (the Nightjrrs one) have been in the practise room (see below). Here’s also a quick public service update: the ‘walk’ part … More To The Dabbin Houses Update

This was a great reading from Ron Scowcroft. Here are the first two poems he read. I had previously heard Ron read at an online event at which I was taken aback by ‘Greylags in Fog’. I contacted Ron to get a copy of his Wayleave pamphlet (recommended… but… it has sold out!) and invite … More Ron Scowcroft reads at the Symposium, May 2023.

Only this today – a picture taken by Phil Hewitson from the Symposium last week. And a small bit of housekeeping: as Tullie House is shut for a while this autumn, we’re looking to put the Symposium on in a different location as a one-off. I’ve contacted a few people I’ll let you know if … More Symposium Picture

On July 1st Nightjrrs will be part of a day of events celebrating dabbin houses and Solway vernacular architecture. Come and join us. There will be two talks by experts, a walk, and music by us, Goatherder and internationally acclaimed musician and composer Richard Skelton. The event will be in Burgh by Sands Village Hall. … More ‘To The Dabbin Houses’ (Part 2)

You may remember me writing that on the 1st of July out at Burgh by Sands we are going to hold an event about dabbin houses, that will include a musical performance of ‘Dabbin Houses’. We’re nearly ready to put the tickets up for sale – and you’ll be able to find details about that … More ‘To the Dabbin Houses’ (Part 1)

1 – Still places available on the Post-Symposium workshops (see the workshop tab on this site). 2 – Nightjrrs play with Richard Skelton and Goatherder at Brugh by Sands Village Hall on 1st July. Details about tickets to follow this week. 3 – Mike Smith has taken his blog off ice and you may like … More Quick Things

Dear all, …just to flag up that the Symposium on Saturday will begin with a free workshop. There are still some places left (did I mention it was free?) and if you want to come you only need to email Symposium HQ by sending an email to carlislepoetrysymposium@gmail.com. The workshop will begin at 10:15. I … More Workshop Warning

Our third ‘Featured Writer’ is one of a subset of Symposium readers who are sent a REALLY cheeky email by myself and who respond more positively than I have any right to deserve. Our third (and final) ‘Featured Writer’ for May 2023 is Helen Farish. I will paste a little of Helen’s bio below (I … More Featured Writer 3 (May 2023)

Very pleased that our second ‘Featured Writer’ was our latest ‘request’. After George Colkito read at an event I was at, one of the writers in attendance suggested we try to get George to be a ‘Featured Writer’ at the Symposium. And: ta da! George very kindly agreed. Bio from George below… G W Colkitto … More Featured Writer 2 (May 2023)