Writing

Last year, my focus was concentrated on selecting and editing poems for my new collection which is scheduled for publication in 2026. Most of the poems were worked on with my mentor-editor earlier in 2025. A few additions and substitutions have been slotted in, as I continued working solo on the manuscript. The final selection and ordering, with my editor, will be completed this year. It will be a collection that doesn’t shy away from challenges faced and difficulties overcome, and which seeks to resonate with people who have been similarly tested, and who have grasped for stability in tempestuous times, stormy waters. My hope is that readers will emerge buoyed up from shared experiences, celebrating victories, with eyes focused steadily on a brighter horizon. 

Gloucestershire Stanza, Bishops Cleeve Poetry Club

Another commitment last year was to build on my work as the Stanza Representative for Gloucestershire. This has included twice-monthly poetry reading, writing and critiquing workshops at Bishops Cleeve Poetry Club, near Cheltenham which I took over from Claire Thelwell in 2024.

“A group for poets at any level of experience. Beginners are very welcome, as are people who have been writing for a while. We aim to be supportive, relaxed … and good fun. Poetry Club is organized and run by Sharon Larkin, a published poet who is passionate about bringing people together to experiment, share, develop their ideas … and write good poems!”  

Poetry Club has flourished and has included well-published poets, a Critical Writing MA graduate or two, a PhD student, enthusiastic beginners and up-and coming poets … spanning a wide age range. We continued to meet at Bishops Cleeve Bookshop in the evenings until late summer before moving to nearby Bishops Cleeve Library, enabling more stock to be accommodated at the bookshop in the lead-up to Christmas. Poetry Club members opted to remain in the spacious surroundings of the Library but we continue to be indebted to Will Williams of Cleeve Bookshop for having allowed us to meet in his shop after hours, enabling us to establish the club and to try out various formats for the workshops. We enjoyed returning to the shop for the Christmas Party and David Aldred’s launch of ‘Histories from the Cotswold Edge’ in December, and we will undoubtedly continue to attend launches and book signings in the months and years to come. It is a splendid bookshop, with a genuine community focus, and a flourishing line of  ‘signed editions’.  Prose fiction and non-fiction workshops are set to continue in the Bookshop, led by Steven John.

Poetry Club has devised a workshop method that includes giving and receiving constructive critiques on each other’s poems, before reading 4 – 5 poems from an anthology. Members then choose one of the anthology poems, responding to its theme or/and form, as inspiration for their own work in the intervening two weeks, bringing the resulting poems for critique at the next meeting. This has proved a successful formula, well supported by emailed notes on the anthology poems, and suggestions for our own writing. However, nothing is prescribed, and poets are always free to bring along a poem in response to whatever has excited or interested them during the previous fortnight.

The anthologies used in the workshops included the Forward Prize Anthology for 2025, Bloodaxe’s ‘Staying Alive’ anthology and, latterly, the Forward Anthology for 2026. Feedback from a member of the group received just before Christmas included these encouraging words: “Last night’s meeting … was informative and entertaining in equal measure. I enjoy the supportive critique … thank you for your beautiful poems and thank you Sharon in particular for your selfless support to us all.”  That kind of feedback makes it all worthwhile. It is indeed a lovely group of kindly and appreciative poets.

Cheltenham Poetry Society, and the Annual Awayday

The well-established Cheltenham Poetry Society, of which I continue to be a proud member – and a former Chair – was ‘grafted into’ the Gloucestershire Stanza during 2025, with the agreement CPS members and current Chairman, Roger Turner. This will further encourage collaboration and joint ventures, including offering places to Poetry Club members at the CPS annual Writing Awayday in the Spring, as well as to the wider circle of friends and associates that Cheltenham Poetry Society has already established. It will also allow CPS poets who are also members of the national Poetry Society to enter Stanza competitions, and enjoy all the other benefits associated with Poetry Society membership. Several prospective CPS members have reached out, after spotting the Gloucestershire Stanza contact details on the Poetry Society’s website.

The CPS Annual Awayday in April 2025 welcomed 17 poets for a whole day of workshops at Ellenborough Park, a five-star hotel in the pleasant village of Southam between the Cotswold Hills and Cheltenham Racecourse.  The topical themes were Flora and Fauna, and the poetry-theory themes included (1) a consideration of space, and ‘intentionality’ in terms of punctuation, and (2) the sonic structure of poems, eg how vowel sounds can be selected to achieve a desired effect and increase the impact of a line. I enjoyed preparing material for the ‘animal’ and ‘intentionality/punctuation’ themes, while Roger led on the ‘plant’ and ‘weight of words’ themes.  I was delighted that Cheltenham Arts Council – thanks to Elisa – featured my article about the CPS Awayday in their Perspectives magazine in June, including the following photographs of the poets attending: David Ashbee, Robin Gilbert, Sheila Spence, Tony Bradley, Nick Heap, Catherine Baker, Gill Wyatt, Penelope Howarth, Penny Lamport, Christine Griffin, Iris Anne Lewis, Judith van Dijkhuizen, Kirsty Bradbury, Annie Ellis, Emily Wills … and Roger Turner and me.  Huge thanks to Jess, Lucy and David at Ellenborough Park for helping us stage the event and to keep things running along smoothly on the day.

Publication and Competitions, 2025

In April I was delighted to learn that three of my poems had been successful in The Yaffle Prize 2025, with one commended poem ‘Dread or Kindred’ and two long-listed poems ‘At the Repair Shop’ and ‘Reconstruction Worker’.  I’m looking forward to the publication of the Whirlagust 2025 anthology which will include my poems, alongside the winning, and other commended and long-listed poems. Huge thanks to the competition judge, Antony Dunn, and to Mark and Gill Connors of Yaffle Press.

Also in April, I was glad to discover that my poem ‘Flashback’ was in the long-list for the Yaffle’s Nest BOAT – Best of All Time poetry competition for poetry inspired by music. I’m looking forward to reading all the ‘BOAT poems’ in the forthcoming anthology. Congratulations to the winners, and to the commended and other long-listed poets. Thanks to judge Emma Purshouse and another big thanks to the Dynamic Duo, Gill and Mark Connors, for running the competition … and for everything they do for poetry.

I was very pleased that my poem ‘Flight Recorder’ which won first prize in The Black Box competition in Jack Caradoc’s Dreich magazine in 2022 featured again as a ‘Retread’ in Issue 3 of his new magazine, The Candyman’s Trumpet, in September 2025.  A big ‘thank you’ … twice … to Jack Caradoc. 

In August I was chuffed to discover that my double dactyl, celebrating Garry Kasparov, the chess player, was a ‘Double Dactyl of the Week’, selected by Andy Jackson who runs the excellent website. https://doubledactyls.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/double-dactyl-of-the-week-135/  
Then in November, my double dactyl on Boris Pasternak was selected for ‘Double Dactyl of the Week’ https://doubledactyls.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/double-dactyl-of-the-week-149/  
Russian names certainly lend themselves to the DD form.
Thanks, Andy, twice!

In the autumn, the What We Inherit from Water anthology was published by Yaffle Press, resulting from the Inaugural Yaffle’s Nest competition. I was pleased that my prose poem  Brookside was listed in the competition and is included in the book. Thanks again to Mark and Gill Connors. It’s a super cover for the super contents of this book!

By the end of the year, the draft of Gill Connors’ anthology Safety in Numbers was available, to the delight of the many contributing poets. I am thrilled that my poem ‘Battling On’ features in this ground-breaking book … a project which forms part of Gill’s PhD. I’m looking forward to the publication of this notable anthology in time for International Women’s Day in March 2026, and to the launch events and the surrounding publicity which is already building … apparently including a mention by Mark Connors in an edition of the BBC’s The Verb to be broadcast in February 2026.

Performances

On 31 August I was very happy to find myself co-headlining – again – with David Cooke on The Poetry Place on West Wilts Radio, thanks to Dawn Gorman who curates, co-produces and hosts the programme  https://westwiltsradio.com/shows/the-poetry-place-with-david-cooke-sharon-larkin-68-31-08-25/  This was a rerun of the programme first streamed in November 2021, and it also featured poems by Rosie Jackson, Ruth Sharman, Sue Proffitt, Pratibha Castle, Frances Anne-King, John Wheway, Verona Bass, Eileen Anne Gordon, and of course Dawn Gorman and co-producer Peter O’Grady. Thanks to Dawn, Peter and WWR.

On 28 October I spent a super afternoon with a lovely audience who listened attentively to my poems and appreciated my projected photos. With nearly two hours to fill, I was able to share 18 poems … and a whole slide-show of related photographs, with a break in the middle for tea and a chat with the lovely members of Evesham and District Pensioners’ Association. My poems ranged over music at school in Evesham, performing in nativity plays, poems about the Worcestershire village I grew up in, attempting to keep fit in one’s latter years, and poems about some of my favourite Cotswold villages, a flashback to that strange Covid year of 2000, and some poems about being a mother – and recently becoming a grandmother. Thanks to Ann and Andrew Dingley – my nephew – for inviting me. It was good to chat to several people about poetry, life, and memories held in common, especially from schooldays and childhood in the Vale. Such a friendly group of people and a superb venue!

On 31 October, I was very pleased to read a selection of eight poems at Cheltenham’s Poetry Cafe in the Library, thanks to Annie Ellis who organizes this popular monthly event. My themes were Visitations and Appearances, and ranged from the outskirts of New Delhi, to a future alien encounter on a British beach, to a construction site possibly in South America, possibly closer to home, to a Cheltenham Repair Shop, to doctors’ surgeries in Cheltenham and somewhere in Germany, to my son’s teenager bedroom, and finally to a site of archaeological and sociological interest … somewhere. There was a full house, all seats occupied, a warm welcome, a super friendly and attentive audience, and an all-round positive occasion with smiles from so many poet-friends. I renewed friendships with some lovely poets I hadn’t seen for a while, made new friends, and even sold some books! Excellent hosting plus super-efficient organization by Annie, and first-rate reception and venue thanks to Cheltenham Library and staff.

I was blessed on 22 December to have my poem ‘Something for Christmas’ read at a carol service in Llanfaredd near Llanfair ym Muallt (Builth Wells) in Powys. This was all thanks to my cousin Ruth who lives in the area and it was doubly pleasing because the church of Llanfaredd is important in our shared family history. It felt extra special to know the poem was read, and heard, in the parish church where my great grandparents are buried, alongside uncles, aunts and cousins, and collocated with the farm that continues in the family.

As the year neared its end, I very much enjoyed Yaffle’s Christmas Party on-line, with readings from the ‘Linger’ collaboration between Mark Connors, Liz McPherson and Sandra Noel … the first in Yaffle’s ‘Three Little Birds’ series. Other poets were invited to read two poems in the ‘open mic’ following the headline readers. I was pleased to be able to share my Christmas themed poems ‘A Seasonal Fabrication’ and ‘The Ins and Outs of Christmas’.

Endorsements, Reviews, Mentoring

In September, I was pleased to write and endorsement of David Elder’s collection ‘White Fox’ ahead of publication. It is an excellent collection which I heartily recommend.

In November, I had the pleasure of being asked to read a manuscript for a potential collection and to make recommendations for edits and ordering. I won’t name the poet just yet, but will fanfare the collection when it is taken by a publisher, which it is sure to be.  I’ll just thank the poet for entrusting her work to me for comment at this important stage of the manuscript’s development.

Anniversaries

December seems to be a month of  ‘poetry anniversaries’ for me. 12 December marked the seventh anniversary of the publication of my pamphlet ‘Interned at the Food Factory’ from Indigo Dreams. 15 December was the fifth anniversary of the publication of my collection Dualities from Hedgehog Poetry Press. Also, 6 years ago, saw the publication of the Cheltenham Poetry Society anthology ‘Poetry from Gloucestershire’, co-curated and co-edited by Roger Turner and me, and published by my Eithon Bridge imprint. Since then, Eithon Bridge has gone on to published other CPS anthologies: ‘Inspired by Music’ and ‘The Elements’, with Roger and me co-editing.

A sad anniversary also arrived this December, when poet-friends of Michael Newman recalled his sudden passing, late in 2024. He was not only a dear friend-in-poetry but foundational to the relaunch of Cheltenham Poetry Society last century, a former Chairman, and an indispensable and loyal member, over many decades. As the current Chairman Roger Turner says, Michael was an entirely benevolent influence in workshops and meetings. He was also a regular performer at monthly Poetry Café Refreshed events in Cheltenham. But, most of all, he was an inspiration and example to many of us in his quiet, faith-filled, family-centred, nature-loving, music-loving, poetry-filled life. We will continue to miss Michael in Gloucestershire, especially, but his influence and reputation ripple out beyond this town and county, reaching South, as a regularly contributor to the magazine of that name, and a familiar name in Indigo Dreams Reach magazine. His reputation as a fine poet spread westwards too – to the shores of Ceredigion and his beloved Borth. Danielle Hope of Acumen liaised with CPS ahead of including Michael’s poem ‘March Morning’ in edition 113 of Agenda, together with words of remembrance for a much loved and respected poet.

Other Activities

As well as poetry, my artistic endeavours in 2025 continued to include photography, mostly of the countryside and wildlife of the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border, with occasional forays into Wales, and regular close-up photography of the Moon in its various phases. My photographs have appeared in several of the previously mentioned Cheltenham Poetry Society anthologies, as well as local calendars. This year, I was really pleased to be able to combine poetry and photography in the event in Evesham on 28 October.

Since the middle of 2024, I have also been trying my hand at drawing and painting, attending a weekly art class held at Elim in Cheltenham, run by Rose. And since mid-2025, I’ve joined another weekly class held at St Marks in Cheltenham, co-led by Jean and Gill. Both groups are supportive and friendly, the former specialising in water colour, the second majoring in acrylics. The Elim group held a summer exhibition in July, where over 100 paintings by the artists in the group were on display, the majority for sale with proceeds destined for Cheltenham Food Bank.

I had three landscapes and two animal paintings for sale … and a kingfisher painting based on one of my best wildlife photographs from the year. Here are the six exhibits of mine from that event: kingfisher, deer, fox and cub, winter scene, cottage in the country, and cottage in an imaginary landscape.

In addition, a variety of desk calendars have been produced for 2026, with thanks to Bean Baker of Elim. One of the calendars includes a watercolour of mine, and another of which includes three of my paintings. The subjects of these were a red squirrel, a robin, toadstools and autumn leaves. Thanks to Bean and Rose, and all other members of the Art Club for their friendship and encouragement.

The St Marks group also exhibits paintings at various times of year in the hall where we meet, which is widely used by other groups, notably Cheltenham Ballroom Dance School, and so these paintings get excellent visibility! I was pleased to have an acrylic painting in the autumn exhibition, featuring another squirrel, and two paintings in the Christmas exhibition: another robin, and a row of colourful Christmas stockings. With some trepidation, I look forward to next term, when the project for the next exhibition will be the human form and portraiture. Now, that will test my ‘beginner’s luck’!  The last session before Christmas took the form of a ‘bring and share lunch’ … and I was invited to share a poem, choosing a new poem, ‘Ways of Seeing’, which features an imaginary visit to an art gallery. It seemed appropriate and went down well with the other artists in the group.  I do love opportunities such as these … to combine the arts. Thanks again to Gill and Jean, and all the other members of the group.

All year, I have also enjoyed cryptic crossword sessions led by Melanie Branton over messages … and Zoom, where some real crossword whizzes come together to solve the ingenious puzzles created by Melanie. I was very much a novice to start with, much better at intuiting answers than actually working out the clues to point to their solution. But Melanie’s excellent hints and tips over the weeks and months, and especially the practice crosswords she provides, ahead of letting us have a go at ‘the real thing’ have helped a great deal. Melanie is very patient, encouraging and enthusiastic, and the rest of the group is friendly and supportive, with just the right amount of competitive spirit! Thank you, Melanie, and everyone in the group, for encouraging my latest hobby.

A Happy New Year

Well, that’s my round-up of 2025. Here’s to a productive, accomplished, fulfilled, rewarding, healthy and wholly positive 2026 … for us all, whatever our artistic endeavours, and however we spend our time.