26th March 2015, The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LN
Lesley Saunders filled the cellar bar with her warmth and wisdom, taking us from Acton Court and its royal visitors, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, to IVF, and into the curiously apt middle ground of Anne Boleyn's miscarriages. Lesley's rich use of language was at its most delicious - one of my favourite chocolates in the box was "the voluptuous possibility of ships". Fabulous. But equally good was the exceptional open mic contributions - a wide mix of styles and voices, some great work from newcomers (always lovely to see new faces) and some strong and thought-provoking poems from Words & Ears regulars. Lots of highlights, including Sue Boyle and Rick Rycroft's double act on the subject of 'instructions for love', varied takes on religion, and Paul Brokensha's entertaining epitaphs.
