William Wordsworth said “poetry takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility”, so it’s fitting that a Jesmond poetry club should meet in a church to share love for this particular art form. And tomorrow, as part of Jesmond Community festival, the club will open its doors to welcome newcomers.

Poetry Please is a monthly meeting of poetry lovers at the Holy Name Catholic Church on Towers Avenue in Jesmond, one of several groups that the church runs. Managed by Father Michael Campion, the group meets on the third Wednesday of each month and spends an hour and a half sharing what Fr Campion calls “poems that have meant something to the people”.

In an interview with JesmondLocal, Fr Campion explained that the group was formed four years ago by a few members of the church community. Since its inception, the group has taken part in the Jesmond Community Festival, as a means of raising awareness about the group and poetry in general.

For this year’s festival, the group is holding an event from 7pm to 8:30pm tomorrow (15th May) in the church hall on Towers Avenue. Everyone is welcome to bring a poem, but it’s not a requirement. Along with a glass of fruit juice or wine, attendees can listen to and discuss the poems being shared.

“We only allow published poetry, not ones that have been written by members,” said Fr Campion, explaining that while the group comes together to appreciate poetry, it is not a poetry-writing group.

Fr Campion says around 15-20 people usually attend the monthly meeting, mostly middle-aged and older. “Poetry is something, in my experience, that young people are not interested in until their late 20s, or early 30s,” he said.

Tomorrow’s event is free and there’s no need to register in advance. For more details of Jesmond Community Festival, visit http://www.jesmondfestival.org.uk/