A new anthology of poetry has been released written by poets based in and around Brampton.         

‘Beyond Borders ’is a collection of 100 poems, many inspired by the local landscape and the local people who live on or near Hadrian’s Wall.

Members of the public gathered at Brampton Community Centre on December 1 to hear some of the new works and to celebrate the best of local poetry.

The launch, which was the first of its kind by the Brampton Poetry Group, was ‘well received’ by the attendees and many of the contributors read their poems to an audience for the very first time.

Philip Hewitson, one of Carlisle’s most prominent poets, has helped to organise the new collection and has contributed six poems to the work.

He said: “This is the latest anthology that has been published by Brampton poets and shows the depth and ability of the poets in our local area.

“There’s a wide range of subjects but all with an overriding theme that anchors it in the place where we all live.”

The poets featured are from all walks of life and include 15-year-poet Mason Goddard and 91-year-old Jean Taylor who only began writing poetry much later on in life.

Jean’s contributions include a poem about living in Liverpool during the Second World War.

She enjoys reading the Great War poets and says she remembers huddling in an air raid shelter when she was a young girl while the area where she lived was being bombed.

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Phil said: “Jean has shown that you are never too old to pick up a pen, or tap on screen, to express yourself. Poetry is for everybody, no matter the age or background.

"The Brampton Poetry Group is an inclusive space where everyone is free to share their work, and no one is ever criticised.

"We believe in supporting people’s creativity.”