Women in Words- a Weekend Poetry Festival

Dunham Massey will play host to seven contemporary poets on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September for Women in Words – a two day poetry festival. The event is part of the National Trust’s Women and Power programme running throughout 2018 to mark 100 years since some British women were first granted the right to vote.

 Assistant Visitor Experience Manager, Katie Clayton says “Dunham Massey’s first ever poetry festival will celebrate the voices of seven acclaimed female poets; Ella Duffy, Malika Booker, Kate Fox, Shirley May, Kim Moore, Helen Mort and Jean Sprackland. We’re delighted to be celebrating their work and words at Dunham Massey, particularly in such a poignant year for women. As well as hearing readings and performances by the artists themselves, visitors will be able to take part in creative writing workshops and meet the poets at a relaxed festival brunch or over tea and cake.”

 Events on Saturday 22 September include a creative writing workshop with Manchester poet Shirley May, director of the Young Identity Writing Collective and visiting Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan School of Writing. Join Shirley to reflect on Women and Power in 2018 and be inspired by objects from Dunham’s collection.

 Also taking place on the Saturday is a festival brunch with poets Shirley May and Helen Mort and a festival tea with Jean Sprackland. Visitors can expect thought-provoking readings and conversation complete with refreshments.

 Saturday’s programme will conclude with London-based poet and actor Ella Duffy performing ‘Wife’- a dramatic adaptation of Carol Ann Duffy’s critically acclaimed series of poems ‘The World’s Wife’. This extended monologue acts as an acknowledgement and exploration of the lives of the often ‘behind the scenes’ wives of famous men.

On Sunday 23 September visitors can take part in a writing workshop with Cumbria based poet, Kim Moore. An award winning poet, Kim is currently a PhD candidate at MMU School of Writing, where she is exploring how to write poetry about sexism.

Sunday’s programme also includes a festival brunch with Kate Fox and Kim Moore where visitors can enjoy a lively and entertaining discussion and readings over coffee, tea and pastries. Kate Fox, well known to listeners of BBC Radio for her comic stand up series, has been poet in residence for the Great North Run, Glastonbury and National Trust Quarry Bank amongst others.

The festival will finish with a powerful performance from poet, Malika Booker, followed by tea, coffee, cake and conversation. Malika, born in the UK to Guyanese and Grenadian parents, says ‘I write because my mother tells me I am the first generation of women to be able to tell our stories and because I know there are women in the world who cannot speak’.

There will also be chance to get creative with two artists whose work is currently featured in the exhibition Dunham Massey: a Woman’s Place? Visitors can get inspired by Dunham’s historic surroundings to design and carve their own lion block to create a collection of single colour prints on a variety of papers with illustrator and print-maker Nell Smith. Artist Joanna Houghton will also be running a bookable still life drawing workshop where visitors can create an intricate and life-like illustration of a popular teatime favourite.

With house and garden entry included with all poetry festival tickets, visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the stories of three women from Dunham’s past in Dunham Massey: a Woman’s Place? From Lady Mary Booth, the first and only woman to inherit and run the estate, to Penelope Lady Stamford, who as countess made the decision to open the house as a military hospital during the First World War, as well as the silent presence of longstanding housekeeper, Mrs. Isabella Collins, this exhibition raises important questions around women’s places in society, home and at work.

Tickets for performances and workshops are on sale now and spaces are limited. For more details about the events and how to book visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

 House and garden entry is included with all Weekend Poetry Festival tickets.