Manchester Poets

Manchester Poets and Manky Poets are the successors to South Manchester Poetry Group, which was founded by Dave Tarrant in 1978. Later the group was renamed Manchester Poets and in 2001, manky poets was born with copland smith as MC. It has now returned to the name Manchester Poets. In 2018, Dave Tarrant and copland smith received the Ted Slade award for services to poetry. Manchester Poets events are hosted by Chorlton Library (M21 9PN).

Aiming to bring you a cross section true to Manchester’s diverse poetry scene, you will find humour and performance poets alongside the more ‘serious’ writers. Readings usually take place on the third Friday of each month, hosted by copland smith. Doors open at 7.30pm; the start is at 7.45pm with floor poets, and sometimes music, followed by a guest-poet, until 9:30pm Anyone is welcome to attend. We only ask for a contribution of £3 (£1 concession) in support of our guest poet. The Wetherspoons pub next door hosts our post-show chat until late.

Poetry Workshops are held on the 4th Wednesday from 7:30-9:30pm, hosted by Steve Waling & Fran Pridham. Please bring 10 copies of the short poem or extract that you would like to have discussed.

Join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/manky.poets/