South Bank Poetry is 10 Years Old

Poetry magazines aren’t notable for their longevity. It takes dedication and sheer bloody mindedness (I suspect) to keep jumping those hurdles, year after year.

So a massive thumbs-up to Peter Ebsworth and Katherine Lockton for steering their ever-popular magazine into its second decade. By sheer fluke, I have two poems in the 10th anniversary issue, which in a lovely way, gives me a direct connection with that celebration.

Due to prior commitments, I wasn’t able to attend the launch of South Bank Poetry (issue 30) at the Poetry Place, but by all accounts it was an evening to remember. Many contributors attended and read their poems. For those of us who weren’t able, there was a special treat in store. The actress Annette Badland (Hazel of Archer’s fame), kindly agreed to perform our work.

Having heard her read another of my poems last year in the Actor’s Church, Covent Garden, as part of the Out of Place music project, I know just how well she uses that intelligent voice of hers to bring out every nuance in a piece of poetry.

Contributors to the 10th anniversary issue include Jim Alderson, Tessa Berring, Leonardo Boix, Claire Booker, Oliver Comins, Daniel Loudon, Joel Scarfe, Paul Stephenson, Joe Wedgbury and Heidi Williamson.

“We would like to thank all our contributors to this issue, as well as all the poets who have sent us their work over the last ten years,” writes Katherine Lockton in the intro. We would be nothing without you. Over the years we have seen poets published in our magazine go on to become poetry superstars. We are so proud of what you have all achieved and continue to accomplish.”

I can think of no better encomium for the magazine, than that written by the poet, journalist and travel writer, Hugo Williams: “I have always enjoyed South Bank Poetry for its unexpected mix of strange and traditional, lyrical and political, young, old and odd, so I don’t hesitate in recommending it to anyone remotely interested in the art. It is just a very good money’s worth and will last.”

How prescient he turns out to be. A hearty thanks to Peter and Katherine for giving us a decade of happy reading. Here’s to the next ten years (and more)!

To buy a copy of the magazine, or submit your own work, please check: www.southbankpoetry.co.uk

Ho,ho,ho – it’s the season to celebrate!

Icy winds may moan (and by golly they do) but nothing stops good poetry reaching its readers.

Claire Booker had plenty to celebrate this month, with poems published in South Bank Poetry and Prole literary magazines.

South Bank Poetry launched its 14th issue to a packed audience at the Poetry Cafe last week  – so crowded I got shoe-horned in behind the lift!  Along with a number of other contributors, including Paul Stephenson, Chris Hardy and Peter Ebsworth, I was invited to read my poems:  ‘Sudden Snow’ explores the existential aspects of building a snowman, whilst ‘Forbidden Fruit, SW16’ is a cautionary tale of elderberry-picking on a south London street.

South Bank Poetry magazine is available from a number of bookshops, including Foyles at the Royal Festival Hall, and the National Theatre bookshop. Or you can order from South Bank Poetry, 74 Sylvan Road, SE19 2RZ (price £4.30 incl p&p).

The ever excellent Prole notched up issue number 9 this month, which includes a Claire Booker poem about South Africa alongside work by Wendy Pratt, Maitreyabandhu and Rafael Miguel Montes.

Visit the Prole website at:  www.prolebooks.co.uk to order a copy of Issue 9, or to set up a subscription.