West Sussex County Council: A trip down memory lane for local poet on Sussex Day

Date: May 21, 2009

Press Release Number: PR 2878

Press Release

Poems, songs and a trip down memory lane are on the agenda to celebrate Sussex Day at Crawley Library on Tuesday June 16.

The day was created in 2007 to celebrate the heritage and all that’s good about Sussex. June 16 was chosen as it is the birthday of St Richard, Patron Saint of Sussex.

Ex-Thomas Bennett Community College (Crawley) pupil - and now successful author, poet and artist - Glyn Watkins, will be at the Library at 7.30pm, to share a selection of poems by Sussex based poets Rudyard Kipling and Percy Shelley. Glyn will also read his own poems and tales.

He will also display maps and pictures of Sussex through the years and will take a trip down memory lane with photos and stories on ‘Hawth Wood’ in Crawley, a place where he played as a boy.

The event is free, with limited space, so book now by contacting the Library on 01293 651751.

Many Libraries will celebrate Sussex Day with special displays on ‘Sussex books to borrow’ for the two weeks leading up to the day.

On the day itself, at Horsham Library at 3pm, Martin Hayes, County Local Studies Librarian, is giving an illustrated talk on his favourite local history books, from a collection of humorous and lively prose and poetry.

A selection of photographs from the Walter Gardiner Exhibition will be at Durrington Library throughout June, touring other Libraries later in the year.

Martin said: “It’s important to celebrate West Sussex and its fascinating history. An excellent way to do it is through our range of tremendous literature.”

Contact your local Library for more information on any of the events, or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries

ENDS