Hunter Gatherer Coffee will host a special open mic on 5th March at 7.30pm focusing on landmarks around Portsmouth. Poets can use this theme as the subject matter for their work or simply as a line of reference to explore structures such as Fratton Park, the Dockyard or the Spinnaker Tower.
Compere Richard Williams explains that ‘A Portsmouth Structure’ does not necessarily need to examine large or high profile landmarks. He says, “Poems could be about the shelters on Southsea seafront, local parks, pubs, schools, churches, shopping centres, individual tower blocks, or something more personal like the house you grew up in.” He notes that old structures such as the Tricorn, shut down police stations or a pub that is no more, could also provide a rich source of inspiration.
Richard has written many poems about specific places in Portsmouth, including a sixty-poem sequence about running the perimeter of the Island while training for marathons. Common themes of his writing include travel (by foot, car, public transport, plane, ship, or hovercraft), the environment, childhood memory, music, loneliness, and sometimes politics.
Appointed by Portsmouth FC as part of the Fratton 125 Celebrations, Richard’s poems regularly appear in the matchday programmes.
Richard said, “I have written about Pompey for some time. Poems referencing the club feature in my first poetry collection Landings which is still available from publishers Dempsey & Windle. My volunteer role at Portsmouth FC involves writing a poetry page for the programme. I do this in conjunction with another poet, Chris Perry. It includes commentary, usually referencing the team Pompey are playing, and a poem by one of us, or by another writer with a connection to Portsmouth. Last month we included a poem by the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, who attended university here. We also host occasional open mic events with a Portsmouth FC Poetry theme. “
Richard is deeply committed to his work celebrating Portsmouth’s rich sporting heritage and social history: “For me, it’s simply an opportunity to get poetry in front of people who wouldn’t otherwise see it, and also give opportunities to others to share their writing in a publication that sells over 2000 copies per match. In some cases we have had people see their work in print for the first time in the programme, which is what it’s all about – giving opportunities to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them.”
‘A Portsmouth Structure’ is one of the many events taking place in Portsmouth for Bookfest 2025. This year, the event is part of ‘In Our Words,’ a year-long celebration of literature and literacy by local community group Portsmouth Creates. It aims to explore Portsmouth through storytelling, creativity, and books.
Richard said, “Bookfest has given people the opportunity to see that there is a thriving writing community here in Portsmouth. It may not seem as obvious as with certain other cities, but we have a wonderful network of groups and organisations supporting the creative writing arts. Whether it’s poetry, fiction or playwriting, Bookfest helps to showcase some of these groups.”
