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.
"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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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
Escape To Venus
Ioney Smallhorne
Vanguard Nottingham
Ioney’s poems are influenced by her Jamaican heritage, her experience as a Black woman in England and her love of the natural world.
She uses writing to oppose social injustices, to question the status quo and to confront abuse. As a Spoken Word Educator she encourages young people to harness the power of poetry to realise their own greatness. She is committed to developing her creative writing pedagogy and is about to embark on a MA in Creative Writing/Education at Goldsmiths University.
click here
Poets off the endz Chris Oliver
dark picture's productions
Poets off the Endz is a manifestation of powerful creative energy through spoken word, poetry and live music.
A poetry and spoken word platform born from a YouTube series of the same name, Poets off the Endz is curated by Jah Digga – an artist and force majeure in his own right from the city of Nottingham.
This show will feature performances from Chris Oliver, Abdul Malik, 2tone, Jaleesa, Lyvia Mason, Ryan Dre Sinclair and the evening’s proceedings will be hosted by Limara. Don’t miss.
click here
Does My Anger Scare You
by Kat Francois
Kat Francois performs her poem against deaths in custody on SKY 1 TV programme, WHAT's UP?, February 2016.
Thanks to WHAT'S UP for providing the footage.
click here
Words of Wisdom
A Poem by Panya Banjoko
City Arts
Nottingham-based poet Panya Banjoko wrote this poem which combines words of wisdom, saying and adages. It is inspired by 1 to 1 workshops Panya ran with older member of Nottingham's African-Caribbean community.
click here
Benjamin Zephaniah reads 'Money'
Blood Axe Books
Benjamin Zephaniah reads his poem 'Money' on the hoof in Newcastle city centre, back in 1991. Now even more topical, this poem is from his 1992 Bloodaxe collection CITY PSALMS:
The film is from the Wordworks series of short poem films made by Tyne Tees Television with Bloodaxe Books first shown in May-June 1992 produced by Mark Lavender and directed by Rob Cowley.
click here
Poetry Worth Hearing 35
Podcast
The 35th episode of Poetry Worth Hearing had as its prompt 'making up'. As ever, I hoped poets would interpret this as widely as they needed to and suggested a triplet of ideas as starting points: making up as reconciliation, cosmetics or fiction. Then I realised there are many more possible meanings including the basic idea of structure or composition. The most numerous responses considered the theme of reconciliation; others went to lipstick and mascara and all were composing or making something up.
click here
One of a Kind
A Poem by Panya Banjoko
A shadow puppet performance of ‘One of a Kind’ – a poem written and read by Panya Banjoko. Panya is a Nottingham-based writer, storyteller and poet. In 2017 this poem was commended in the Writing East Midlands Aurora poetry competition. Filmed & edited by Tim Chesney.
Part of City Arts’ Words of Wisdom project.
Supported by Arts Council England and Baring Foundation.
click here
The Failing Writers Podcast
S5 Ep11
Hamilton Nolan - Publishing laid bare
Catch Guy Jones on Huype Writer with The Photograph
From 35 mins 27 Seconds
click here
Seed
by Leanne Moden
Inspire's Artist and Author in Residence 2025
Imagine a garden where the most magical seeds can grow! Listen as poet Leanne Moden explores bizarre and fantastical plants. Inspired by this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme, Story Garden.
Commissioned as part of Inspire's 2025 Artist and Author in Residence programme.
click here
It Falls
by Lytisha Tunbridge
Today it is raining. Keith sent me this video and asked if I had any rain poems. I sat watching the rain and a poem came along.
Fim editing by Keith Turner - check out his other amazing films @kthtrnr
click here
Cuckoo Call
by Guy Jones
DIY Poets
A poem from DIY poet Guy Jones.
Filming and editing was done as part of Hothouse Theatre's Youth Project. The video features two members of the Hothouse Youth group. Full permissions obtained.
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The Universal Power of Poetry
A Conversation with Laura Grevel
Quintessential Poetry
Join host Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram as he inaugurates the newly rebranded Quintessential Poetry platform with acclaimed poet and spoken word artist Laura Grevel. In this episode, Laura shares profound insights from her extensive life across five different countries. Delving into her poetic influences, the importance of capturing human stories, and the themes that drive her work, Laura reads a variety of her poetic pieces.
click here
SHOWDOWN WITH A BROTHA
by Panya Banjoko
From the poetry collection 'Table for One, Please', Showdown with a Brotha explores the complex relationship between black men and black women.
click here
Fen Fox
by Leanne Moden
Leanne Moden is a poet, performer and workshop leader, based in Nottingham in the East Midlands.
She's performed at events across the UK and Europe, including the Edinburgh Fringe, WOMAD Festival, the Living Record Festival, the Brighton Fringe, Sofar Sounds, Stanza Newcastle, the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, the Beverley Folk Festival, and Bestival on the Isle of Wight, as well as Prima Vista Festival in Estonia and Dia Mundial de la Poesia in Spain.
click here
Connections
by Lytisha Tunbridge
Ever had that kind of relationship where you know you ought to leave but you keep hoping it will all turn out OK? Where you know there is a cost to continuing but maybe ...
This original poem by Lytisha Tunbridge explores her relationship with her internet provider. She has since changed.
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The Lonely Side
by Laura Grevel
From the USA, Laura Grevel lives in Europe. She is a performance poet, fiction writer and blogger. Her writings have been published widely. Laura often reads at international online literary events.
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The Art of Pressing Flowers
by Hazel Warren
Hazel has been a member of DIY poets since 2014, when she moved to Nottingham and began reading her work out loud. She has since read all over the place, has contributed to online and print collaborations, and her debut book "To See the Moon" is published by big White Shed. Hazel explores mixing poetry and music with stop frame animation in this gentle poem.
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Seeker's Ghazal
by Alexandra Coates
DIY Poets, a Nottingham UK based poetry collective, has been in existence since the beginning of this millennium. We hold monthly workshops and perform at quarterly showcase events at City Arts, Nottingham. We can also be found on stages at art & literature festivals around the country. Where possible we aim to deliver hybrid events to ensure we are as accessible as possible, whether you can make it to the venue, or join us virtually.
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Mayari Literature
Volume 2 Issue 2
CYCLE
Our literary magazine’s second quarterly edition, Year Two.
Breaking out of patterns. Coming full circle and finding home.
click here
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
Donate to Hothouse Theatre and help keep it going
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 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
This hour of Radiolab, a look behind the curtain of how memories are made...and forgotten
click here
In this episode, Jess and Rob sling some mud as they explore the etymology of insults.
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
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
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
Ioney’s poems are influenced by her Jamaican heritage, her experience as a Black woman in England and her love of the natural world.
She uses writing to oppose social injustices, to question the status quo and to confront abuse. As a Spoken Word Educator she encourages young people to harness the power of poetry to realise their own greatness. She is committed to developing her creative writing pedagogy and is about to embark on a MA in Creative Writing/Education at Goldsmiths University.
click here
Poets off the Endz is a manifestation of powerful creative energy through spoken word, poetry and live music.
A poetry and spoken word platform born from a YouTube series of the same name, Poets off the Endz is curated by Jah Digga – an artist and force majeure in his own right from the city of Nottingham.
This show will feature performances from Chris Oliver, Abdul Malik, 2tone, Jaleesa, Lyvia Mason, Ryan Dre Sinclair and the evening’s proceedings will be hosted by Limara. Don’t miss.
click here
Kat Francois performs her poem against deaths in custody on SKY 1 TV programme, WHAT's UP?, February 2016.
Thanks to WHAT'S UP for providing the footage.
click here
Nottingham-based poet Panya Banjoko wrote this poem which combines words of wisdom, saying and adages. It is inspired by 1 to 1 workshops Panya ran with older member of Nottingham's African-Caribbean community.
click here
Benjamin Zephaniah reads his poem 'Money' on the hoof in Newcastle city centre, back in 1991. Now even more topical, this poem is from his 1992 Bloodaxe collection CITY PSALMS:
The film is from the Wordworks series of short poem films made by Tyne Tees Television with Bloodaxe Books first shown in May-June 1992 produced by Mark Lavender and directed by Rob Cowley.
click here
A shadow puppet performance of ‘One of a Kind’ – a poem written and read by Panya Banjoko. Panya is a Nottingham-based writer, storyteller and poet. In 2017 this poem was commended in the Writing East Midlands Aurora poetry competition. Filmed & edited by Tim Chesney.
Part of City Arts’ Words of Wisdom project.
Supported by Arts Council England and Baring Foundation.
click here
Catch Guy Jones on Huype Writer with The Photograph
Imagine a garden where the most magical seeds can grow! Listen as poet Leanne Moden explores bizarre and fantastical plants. Inspired by this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme, Story Garden.
Commissioned as part of Inspire's 2025 Artist and Author in Residence programme.
click here
Today it is raining. Keith sent me this video and asked if I had any rain poems. I sat watching the rain and a poem came along.
Fim editing by Keith Turner - check out his other amazing films @kthtrnr
click here
Join host Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram as he inaugurates the newly rebranded Quintessential Poetry platform with acclaimed poet and spoken word artist Laura Grevel. In this episode, Laura shares profound insights from her extensive life across five different countries. Delving into her poetic influences, the importance of capturing human stories, and the themes that drive her work, Laura reads a variety of her poetic pieces.
click here
From the poetry collection 'Table for One, Please', Showdown with a Brotha explores the complex relationship between black men and black women.
click here
Leanne Moden is a poet, performer and workshop leader, based in Nottingham in the East Midlands.
She's performed at events across the UK and Europe, including the Edinburgh Fringe, WOMAD Festival, the Living Record Festival, the Brighton Fringe, Sofar Sounds, Stanza Newcastle, the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, the Beverley Folk Festival, and Bestival on the Isle of Wight, as well as Prima Vista Festival in Estonia and Dia Mundial de la Poesia in Spain.
click here
Our literary magazine’s second quarterly edition, Year Two.
Breaking out of patterns. Coming full circle and finding home.
click here
