Flotsam - debris not deliberately thrown overboard that is eventually washed up and deposited on the shore for the nosey wanderer to pick over and collect.
This is a collection of well written pieces that this nosey wanderer has scavenged from the high tide line of the internerd.
Poetry Worth Hearing
Episode 41
Episode 41 of the Poetry Worth Hearing podcast features an interview with British poet Jane Draycott, who discusses her life in poetry and reads her work. The episode's featured theme is "colour," and it includes a showcase of submissions from a dozen guest poets.
click here
Advert
Oh My Nottz is a Hothouse Theatre project
Donate to Hothouse Theatre and help keep it going
How are people using "mortified" wrongly?
EMOTION ETYMOLOGY
Words Unravelled
Where do our emotions come from? In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive deep into the fascinating origins of the words we use to express how we feel! From the familiar words like "sad," "mad," and "glad," to the more complex emotions of feeling "mortified" or "envious," we explore the linguistic history that shaped these terms and how their meanings evolved over time.
click here
Loud Poets 2025-26 Slam Series
Nottingham Heat
Full Slam
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, we took our 2025-26 Slam Series to Nottingham in partnership with Nottingham Poetry Festival.
The Loud Poets Slam Series is a nation-wide tournament across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland culminating in a Grand Slam Final with a £3,000 prize! Sign up for our Regional Heats, book tickets, and learn more here: www.iamloud.co/slam
click here
Psychogeography
Open Collab Performance
ft Simon Abel
Leanne Moden
This video is a four-way collaboration between poet Leanne Moden, musicians Charlie & Jake (hosts of Open Collab) and dancer Simon Abel. The poem is about finding alternative ways to move through a city and appreciate the space around you. (It was originally commissioned for Nottingham City Council.)
click here
Zine 71
DIY Poets' Zine
Submissions to our free zine frankmac_1999@yahoo.co.uk We welcome submissions on any theme. The only stipulation is that they are short, 25 lines or less so they will fit into our template.
click here
Crow
by Guy Jones
DIY Poets
Crow watches, sees.
Girls sees also, reflected in crows eyes...
This poem seems to reflect on the delicate nature of life and death, of permanence and transience, of questions left unanswered, or answered only by the call of the sea.
click here
Scribes Aloud
Episode 1 with Dan Webber
This week on Scribes Aloud, we’re joined by writer and performer Dan Webber, who talks about his journey with words, performance poetry, and the power of storytelling. In our debut show we will be sharing uploads from local poets. Tune in for conversation, and a celebration of local writing on Scribes Aloud.
click here
"Riding Without Stabilisers" and "Second Language"
Frank McMahon
Two short poems from Frank McMahon: The first uses cycling imagery in a poem about taking risks, followed by a reflection on the difficulties of learning a second language.
click here
Flash Fiction Contest Runners Up 2025
Failing Writers Podcast
Hello writers. Just when you thought the competition was all wrapped up… this week we look at the almost-winners of our big annual comp.
Yep, these are the brilliant writers who made the shortlist, but didn’t quite manage to snaffle a place on Sarah’s podium.
click here
Poetry Worth Hearing
Episode 39
This episode had as its prompt 'other spaces'. I chose this idea because our main feature features poetry by the Argentinian poet, Sergio Raimondo,
introduced and translated by Ben Bollig and Mark Leech.
It seems to me that one of the functions of translation is to take us to 'other spaces.'
click here
Why are you a nincompoop?
INSULTS
Words Unravelled
In this episode, Jess and Rob sling some mud as they explore the etymology of insults.
Does "dork" mean what people say it means?
Which was Shakespeare's rudest character?
What exactly is a "plonker"?
These dastardly questions answered - and many more - in another Words Unravelled!
click here
A Winter's Night
A Collection of poems put together under the title of A Winter's Night, because Guy thought they sort of go together.
The Poems are, in order
The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew
Snow by Thomas Edwards
To A Wreath of Snow by Emily Bronte
A dream of Winter by Dylan Thomas
Of Light and Dark by Guy Jones
This collection first appeared on the OMN Winter Collection 26 Podcast.
The Witch and the Haunted Hill
It’s a community podcast.
Storytails
Content Warning: this story is based on the recorded events of the so-called witch Mary Pannal. It involves references to a child and his father dying, and to Mary being hung and burnt as a witch.Hello, Can You Hear Me? is an audio storytelling project that was funded by Wakefield Council as part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 It features ten folktales re-created by the storyteller, Beccy Dye. These were arranged on a period telephone which was then toured across the District.
click here
Sherwood Voices
A walking project based on stories from the towns and villages of the Sherwood Forest area
Excavate
in partnership with Inspire
A series of audio walks that tell a new story of the culture, identity and history of the Sherwood Forest area.
Initiated by the Nottingham community theatre company Excavate in partnership with Inspire: Learning, Libraries and Culture and the Miner2Major Landscape Partnership scheme, and funded by Arts Council England and the Lottery Heritage Fund.
click here
Origin Stories Podcast
Episode 34
Margaret Mead
In this never-before-released archival lecture from 1974, anthropologist Margaret Mead discusses the lives of women from prehistoric through modern times.
Margaret Mead was born in 1901 and she had a long and distinguished career as an anthropologist. She served as president of the American Anthropological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Among other academic appointments, she was a curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where she worked from 1926 until her death in 1978. After her death, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. This award is the highest civilian honor given by the United States government
click here
The Man Who Planted Trees
by Jean Giono
Available for 21 days
A shepherd sows the seeds of hope for mankind in this inspiring tale set in Europe between the wars.
Written in two parts by Jean Giono.
Read by Bill Paterson.
Director: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1992.
click here
Zine 69
DIY Poets
DIY Poets started in 2003 with the production of issue 1 of our free A6 zine. We wanted more people to read poetry. I had never seen anyone read a book of poetry on the train. We put the zines out in local bars and cafes.
click here
David Bowie - Life on Mars?
Soul Music
BBC Radio 4
Life on Mars was released on David Bowie's Hunky Dory album in 1971.
Two years later it came out as a single in its own right. Famous for its exploration of disillusionment and alienation, there is no one single definitive story behind it. But that is perhaps the song's beauty and the secret behind its appeal - that its cryptic lyrics are open to interpretation, and can mean different things to different people.
Musicians and fans talk about what Life on Mars? means to them, and its lasting emotional impact.
click here
Scribes Aloud
Burton Radio
Debbie and Tim bring their writing community to the airwaves! Whether it's poetry, novels or scripts, they'll be talking all things spoken word from people near and far.
click here
Self Portrait as a Banana
by Hongwei Bao
DIY Poets
In the title poem from his new book, DIY Poet Hongwei reclaims the yellow fruit.
Hongwei's book is available from Five Leaves Bookshop and the Pride Shop, in Nottingham or online (though obviously we encourage you to shop local wherever possible)
click here
Uxbridge Moon
Ishita Uppadhayay
Aurora Prize
Here's first place poetry winner Ishita Uppadhayay performing 'Uxbridge Moon'.
If you didn't get to join us for the Aurora Prize for Writing 2025 awards evening, then you're back in luck! We're sharing performances from each of our winners over the next few weeks!
click here
Poetry Worth Hearing
37
This episode had the theme 'hiding and/or seeking'. It includes an interview and reading from Nancy Campbell. Other poets are Guy Jones, Zelda Cahill-Patten, Lesley Saunders, Pat Winslow, Richard Lister, Dinah Livingstone, Sarah Mnatzaganian and Fokkina McDonnell. you can find the texts of unpublished poems and more information about the poets at poetryworthhearing.biz.
click here
The Future That Never Arrived
David Graeber
Sustainable Human
Somewhere between the moon landing and now, humanity stopped dreaming big. Here’s why.
click here
Open Mic December 2024
Dandelions Poetry Podcast
This was recorded at the Chrsitmas Dandelions poetry event held at Five Leaves book shop in Nottingham
click here
What Rhymes with Slartibartfast
by Helen Sadler
DIY Poets
Helen's poem (after Tracy K Smith) musing on how sci-fi holds a mirror to our own world.
click here
Black
TOSO HARUNA
FLUENTINBOTH Nottingham Poetry Festival 2023
Welcome to FluentinBoth! Prepare to be spellbound as we present a truly extraordinary performance for the renowned Nottingham Poetry Festival 2023 by the brilliant poet, Toso Haruna, at Boavista Restaurant cafe in Nottingham . Get ready to experience "Black".
click here
Kids Who Die
by Langston Hughes
Close Talking: A Poetry Podcast - Ep. 007
Connor and Jack discuss the Langston Hughes poem "Kids Who Die" a work that, especially in light of the inauguration and recent protests, has an enduring resonance. This poem is, in small part, a prayer for resisters everywhere.
click here
Episode 41 of the Poetry Worth Hearing podcast features an interview with British poet Jane Draycott, who discusses her life in poetry and reads her work. The episode's featured theme is "colour," and it includes a showcase of submissions from a dozen guest poets.
click here
Donate to Hothouse Theatre and help keep it going
Where do our emotions come from? In this episode of Words Unravelled, Rob and Jess dive deep into the fascinating origins of the words we use to express how we feel! From the familiar words like "sad," "mad," and "glad," to the more complex emotions of feeling "mortified" or "envious," we explore the linguistic history that shaped these terms and how their meanings evolved over time.
click here
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, we took our 2025-26 Slam Series to Nottingham in partnership with Nottingham Poetry Festival.
The Loud Poets Slam Series is a nation-wide tournament across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland culminating in a Grand Slam Final with a £3,000 prize! Sign up for our Regional Heats, book tickets, and learn more here: www.iamloud.co/slam
click here
This video is a four-way collaboration between poet Leanne Moden, musicians Charlie & Jake (hosts of Open Collab) and dancer Simon Abel. The poem is about finding alternative ways to move through a city and appreciate the space around you. (It was originally commissioned for Nottingham City Council.)
click here
Submissions to our free zine frankmac_1999@yahoo.co.uk We welcome submissions on any theme. The only stipulation is that they are short, 25 lines or less so they will fit into our template.
click here
This week on Scribes Aloud, we’re joined by writer and performer Dan Webber, who talks about his journey with words, performance poetry, and the power of storytelling. In our debut show we will be sharing uploads from local poets. Tune in for conversation, and a celebration of local writing on Scribes Aloud.
click here
Hello writers. Just when you thought the competition was all wrapped up… this week we look at the almost-winners of our big annual comp.
Yep, these are the brilliant writers who made the shortlist, but didn’t quite manage to snaffle a place on Sarah’s podium.
click here
This hour of Radiolab, a look behind the curtain of how memories are made...and forgotten
click here
The Poems are, in order
The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew
Content Warning: this story is based on the recorded events of the so-called witch Mary Pannal. It involves references to a child and his father dying, and to Mary being hung and burnt as a witch.Hello, Can You Hear Me? is an audio storytelling project that was funded by Wakefield Council as part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 It features ten folktales re-created by the storyteller, Beccy Dye. These were arranged on a period telephone which was then toured across the District.
click here
A series of audio walks that tell a new story of the culture, identity and history of the Sherwood Forest area.
Initiated by the Nottingham community theatre company Excavate in partnership with Inspire: Learning, Libraries and Culture and the Miner2Major Landscape Partnership scheme, and funded by Arts Council England and the Lottery Heritage Fund.
click here
In this never-before-released archival lecture from 1974, anthropologist Margaret Mead discusses the lives of women from prehistoric through modern times.
Margaret Mead was born in 1901 and she had a long and distinguished career as an anthropologist. She served as president of the American Anthropological Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Among other academic appointments, she was a curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where she worked from 1926 until her death in 1978. After her death, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. This award is the highest civilian honor given by the United States government
click here
Available for 21 days
A shepherd sows the seeds of hope for mankind in this inspiring tale set in Europe between the wars.
Written in two parts by Jean Giono.
Read by Bill Paterson.
Director: Andy Jordan
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1992.
click here
Life on Mars was released on David Bowie's Hunky Dory album in 1971.
Two years later it came out as a single in its own right. Famous for its exploration of disillusionment and alienation, there is no one single definitive story behind it. But that is perhaps the song's beauty and the secret behind its appeal - that its cryptic lyrics are open to interpretation, and can mean different things to different people.
Musicians and fans talk about what Life on Mars? means to them, and its lasting emotional impact.
click here
In the title poem from his new book, DIY Poet Hongwei reclaims the yellow fruit.
Hongwei's book is available from Five Leaves Bookshop and the Pride Shop, in Nottingham or online (though obviously we encourage you to shop local wherever possible)
click here
Here's first place poetry winner Ishita Uppadhayay performing 'Uxbridge Moon'.
If you didn't get to join us for the Aurora Prize for Writing 2025 awards evening, then you're back in luck! We're sharing performances from each of our winners over the next few weeks!
click here
Somewhere between the moon landing and now, humanity stopped dreaming big. Here’s why.
click here
This was recorded at the Chrsitmas Dandelions poetry event held at Five Leaves book shop in Nottingham
click here
Welcome to FluentinBoth! Prepare to be spellbound as we present a truly extraordinary performance for the renowned Nottingham Poetry Festival 2023 by the brilliant poet, Toso Haruna, at Boavista Restaurant cafe in Nottingham . Get ready to experience "Black".
click here
Connor and Jack discuss the Langston Hughes poem "Kids Who Die" a work that, especially in light of the inauguration and recent protests, has an enduring resonance. This poem is, in small part, a prayer for resisters everywhere.
click here
