Sherwood Forest (RSPB)
When: 22.08.2019 to 24.08.2019
Where: Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest is home to the Major Oak, a tree so ancient (estimated 1000 years old) it has seen the births and deaths of Shakespeare, Henry VII, Dickens, Darwin, Newton and Chaucer. It grows within 375 hectares which is also home to hundreds of species of birds, insects, mammals, fungi, trees and plants. Lecturer and poet Jack Underwood is our poet in residence and he will be joined by Common Ground storyteller Marting Maudsley and local poets. For more details and to book on any of the events below go to https://www.visitsherwood.co.uk/
Thursday 22 Aug
The Poetry Oak - every hour 11am - 4pm
Words and poetry are weaved into the forest, and the legend of Robin Hood has been passed down in stories, songs and plays for hundreds of years. Poet Jack Underwood will be delighting throughout the day with hourly outbursts of poetry from his own body of work.
Sherwood Storywalk 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm – 25 spaces on each, available to prebook online or in the centre – £5 adults (£4 rspb members), £2.50 children (£2 rspb members)
Let your imagination run wild through the ancient trees of Sherwood with professional storyteller, Martin Maudsley, weaving tales of wonder in the dappled greenwood. Suitable for adults and families, this event will involve a walk of around a mile with plenty of stops. Sorry, no dogs.
Friday 23
Poetry Café 6pm – 8pm, £10 (£8 rspb members) – 30 spaces. Prebook online or in the RSPB centre
Join poet, Jack Underwood, and friends for a summer evening of poetry readings in the visitor centre cafe. The café will be open for drinks, cakes and snacks.
Saturday 24 10am -12pm, 15 spaces, £20 (£16 rspb members)
Creative Writing Workshop
Join local poet, Jack Underwood, and Common Ground Storyteller Martin Maudsley on a creative writing workshop exploring the trees, legends and poetry of place beneath the ancient branches of Sherwood Forest. The first half of the session will take place in the forest, provoking exploration and seeking inspiration, and the second half will be classroom based. Refreshments will be provided.
Poet-tree 1pm - 4pm Free
Add a leaf to our Poet-tree! Storyteller, Martin Maudsley, will be hosting a tree dressing at the Major Oak. Can we spring this winter birch into life?
A brief bio of Jack. Jack Underwood was born in Norwich in 1984. He graduated from Norwich School of Art and Design in 2005 before completing an MA and PhD in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths College, where he now teaches English Literature and Creative Writing. He won an Eric Gregory Award in 2007 and Faber & Faber published his debut collection, Happiness, in 2015. He also teaches at the Poetry School, co-edits the anthology series Stop Sharpening Your Knives, and reviews for Poetry London and Poetry Review.
