Simon Armitage in Dove Cottage online
Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
A must-go for all poetry lovers, Grasmere’s famous Dove Cottage recently reopened after being lovingly restored to mark the 250th anniversary of the Lakes poet William Wordworth’s birth. And to celebrate National Poetry Day on 1 October, the beautiful stone-built venue will be the backdrop of a very special event – as award-winning poet, playwright, novelist and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE has been invited to present the first-ever digital poetry event from the building.
Simon’s livestreamed reading from Dove Cottage will combine his own multi-award winning poetry with some of his favourite Wordsworth poems, giving you the opportunity to hear the poetry of two Poet Laureates as you’ve never heard it before.
The home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth – and the place where William Wordsworth produced most of his greatest and best-loved poems – has undergone a complete authentic re-interpretation as part of the National Lottery-funded multi-million-pound Reimagining Wordsworth project, bringing to life the house that Wordsworth lived in 200 years ago. Now open to the public again, it is ready to inspire a whole new generation of poets, starting with this unique virtual poetry event.
Tune in on the evening of National Poetry Day for this one-of-a-kind, online-only performance – this live broadcast will not be available after the event, so make sure you book your ticket for this exclusive event. Simon’s livestreamed reading from Dove Cottage will combine his own multi-award winning poetry with some of his favourite Wordsworth poems, giving you the opportunity to hear the poetry of two Poet Laureates as you’ve never heard it before.
Director of Wordsworth Grasmere Michael McGregor says: “Our annual reading by Simon Armitage is our most popular public event every year. To be presenting it digitally for the first time is incredibly exciting. And of course, it will have a particular resonance this year, marking as it does the Wordsworth’s 250th anniversary and the reopening of Wordsworth Grasmere. So ticket holders on 1 October will have the chance to see the newly refurbished Dove Cottage and hear the poetry of two Poet Laureates, all in one wonderful event.”
(Further details on accessing the online event booked will be provided prior to the event starting. This event is captioned.)
