CB1 Poetry - the future

Dear CB1 Poetry supporters

Since Michael & Christine have sadly had to pull out of the co-ordination of CB1 Poetry due to other commitments, a group of us have gathered to discuss the future format and have come up with what we feel is an exciting and workable proposal (financially and artistically).

We propose to keep to our current twice-monthly programme of events but as follows:

• to introduce a new, larger venue (the Michaelhouse Centre on Trinity St) for more well-known/guest poet evenings (which will include some Open Mike slots at each event) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, starting on 9th October.
• with a separate/specific Open Mike evening continuing at CB1 on the 4th Tuesday of each month, starting on 23rd October.

Both the CB1 and Michaelhouse evenings will contain longer slots where one or two poets will ‘headline’ and be able to showcase more of their work. In this way, at both venues, we want to continue to give local poets regular opportunities to read and develop in front of responsive, supportive audiences – an important part of CB1 Poetry’s ethos since it began.

We are confident this format will offer both stimulation for each audience and the chance for many more local writers to read and progress.

The size of CB1 places a serious limitation on our ability to pay for more well-known poets (and their travel expenses) from the entry fee – and to give enough people access to hear these guest writers. This, in turn, limits what we can provide to you, the local writing community.

Another issue is that CB1 does not have full disability access throughout which again can deter a number of people who might otherwise like to come to these events. Disability access is also a prerequisite for any future grant application. So on several fronts, we don't believe that standing still is a viable option.

There are several reasons for choosing the Michaelhouse venue:

• its manager is keen to hold more literary events after some successful one-off readings, and is therefore very supportive of our plans
• the central venue: this gives more chance of students, tourists and the general public who frequent the cafe and central area to see our posters/publicity and come to sample our events, read out a poem, etc. (We also intend to include listings of CB1/Michaelhouse events in many more on-line & print ‘What’s On’ publications – eg Local Secrets, We’re All Neighbours, Explorer etc).
• in order to attract – and to be able to accommodate – significantly larger audiences as awareness of these events spreads. In turn, larger audiences/total door receipts (along with the existing entry fees charged at the monthly CB1 Open Mike events) will help us to support Michaelhouse venue hire and visiting poet costs.
• parking: by mid-evening it’s usually possible to park for free on The Backs & surrounding roads rather than having to use the Lion Yard or other charging carparks. From there it is quite a short walk to Trinity St. There is a disabled drop-off and collection point directly outside the venue.

We hope you will support our plans and look forward to seeing you at the launch event on 9th October with guest poet Tobias Hill. As soon as details are finalised we will let you know the full programme of guest readers for the year ahead and about an updated CB1 website where all future information on forthcoming events and writers will be posted.

Many thanks,

CB1 Steering Group (Andre Mangeot, Ian Cartland, Emily Dening, Helen Mort, Anne Berkeley, Andrea Porter, Trish Harewood)