Diversion is brought to you by hosts Emma C and Adrian Mealing as part of Ledbury Poetry. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.15pm start. Join us for a night of spoken word and open mic’ers. Sign up on the door for open mic – newbies welcome.
Headliner: Emma Purshouse
Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs regularly at spoken word nights and festivals far and wide, sometimes using her native Black Country dialect. She was the first Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton. Her appearances include, The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, Latitude, Womad and Shambala. Emma’s new poetry collection Unsung was launched in September 2025 and is now available from offaspress.co.uk
She is one third of the poetry collective ‘Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists’ who run spoken word events, workshops, and poetry projects across the English Midlands.
“A whirlwind of wit and humour” – Write Out Loud.”
Feature acts: Ash Bainbridge and Jo Eades
Ash Bainbridge (they/he) is a queer writer and midwife with a breaking voice and broken uterus who blazes for our bodies to be our own. Recent publications include ‘gender-inclusive language in midwifery’ that’s now international journal Birth’s most downloaded article, textbook chapter on queer reproductive loss Routledge’s upcoming ‘Pride in Birth’, and their poetry chapbook about living with endometriosis as a trans person – ’Trans-crip-T’ – that’s out now with Written Off Publishing. Ash’s featured artist credits include London’s Vagina Museum, City Lit’s Mental Wealth Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, and the New York Poetry Festival. Instagram: @ash_bainbridgeBlueSky: @ash-bainbridge.bsky.social
Jo Eades performs regularly on the Bristol spoken word scene. In 2023, she performed on the Milk Poetry stage at Valleyfest and was selected as one of eight emerging poets from the South West to be part of Apple and Snakes’ Future Voices project. She has won the Lyra Bristol Poetry Slam, the Poetry Shack Slam at WOMAD Festival and the Ledbury Poetry Festival Slam in 2025. She has been featured four times on BBC Radio Bristol’s Upload, being one of their ‘best of’ poets for 2024. Her debut pamphlet “Flanked” was published by Burning Eye Books in October 2025.
Open mic slots available, sign up on the door.
Tickets £8.
There is a fully licenced bar, and coffee and snacks will also be available to purchase.
Sign up for Open Mic on the door, or email: clowsley@hotmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: This event may contain adult language and subject matter.
Emma will be performing poetry from her latest collection at Poetry Breakfast in Dudley.
Entry £3 which includes a hot drink and a croissant.
Doors open at 9.30am for a 10am start.
Open mic slots are available.
Emma Purshouse, Steve Pottinger, and Dave Pitt will be appearing at the Crafty Jar in Stourbridge as part of their Busking for Charity event.
An hour of top-notch regional entertainment from local voices.
Featuring…
Alex Vann – Singer Songwriter
Jane Seabourne – Bostin Fittle – A mini talk about how an outsider tried to make one of the Black Country’s most famous dishes
Emma Purshouse -Black Country poetry
Hosted by Steve Pottinger
This is a pay-as-you-feel event and seats will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis until the venue is at capacity.
Emma Purshouse will be appearing on the bill with Steve Pottinger, Dave Pitt, Karene Horner-Hughes, Don Diego & The Good Fairy, and Cheryl Prince.
Hosted by Lee Nelson.
Bar 6pm – Doors 7.30pm – Start 8.00pm
Tickets £6 (£4 concession) plus booking fee.
Verbalise is one of Brewery Arts’ most beloved community events, where emerging voices meet world-renowned artists on a shared stage. Join us either Live or Online, sign up and take part, or sit back and enjoy!
February guests are Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger.
Please email annthepoet@gmail.com to book an open mic spot of up to 4 mins, including introductions. Include your words so they can be screen-shared during your performance. Please state if you will be attending live or online.
- Tickets – In-person Attendee£8.50 Online Attendee£5.00
‘Two Wolverhampton storytellers and poets share their one-man / one-woman show.’
Steve Pottinger’s Sweat & Mugs & Rock and Roll, uses anecdotes, stories and insights into life as a stage manager across some of the biggest festivals in Europe.
Emma Purshouse’s Poet Laureate in a Pandemic talks about loving the place you live, even if it isn’t always that lovable. Expect poetry ruminations about Wolverhampton’s Red Emma and famous Man on the Oss.
Tickets:
Standard £15 Member £12 Under 18 £6
A special event open mic for Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival with guests Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger.
All are welcome and all who wish to will get an opportunity to read. No need to prebook – just sign up on the night.
£5 on the door with refreshments included in the ticket price.
This event is part of celebrating the National Year of Reading 2026 at Newcastle Library
Join Emma Purshouse, Steve Pottinger and Nick Degg for an entertaining session of poems from three clever wordsmiths!
FREE but BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Please contact Newcastle library for more information and bookings:
01782 485312 newcastle.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Join us for a lively and heartfelt morning as Emma Purshouse reads from her latest poetry collection, Unsung, published by Offa’s Press. Known for her sharp wit and emotional depth, Emma’s work blends humour, poignancy, and powerful storytelling rooted in the Black Country.
Emma is a freelance writer, performance poet, and novelist who served as Wolverhampton’s first Poet Laureate (2020–2022). She’s a poetry slam champion, a published author for both adults and children, and her work has earned national recognition including third place in the prestigious National Poetry Competition in 2022.
Expect an engaging performance filled with laughter, insight, and moving reflections. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry enthusiast or simply curious about voices from the Midlands, Unsung offers a unique and memorable experience.
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