National Poetry Day at the Douglas Hotel

Despite wild weather, there was a great turn out On National Poetry Day (October 6th) for an evening of poetry and song in the Piano Room of the Douglas. What a great new addition to Arran’s evening venues … the Piano Room is stylish but intimate, and right next door to the bar for refreshments.

The Poetry evening was arranged and charmingly introduced by Tim Pomeroy, who had invited all of Arrans more famous local poets and writers and a delightful number of locals whose work I’d never heard before. The atmosphere was relaxed. Poets read a selection of their own work, interspersed with songs from the local group Vivace, and solos by Maureen Robertson, accompanied on guitar by Tim. Is there no limit to the diversity of talent on Arran? There were far too many poets (and poems) to list them all, so I’m just going to pick one.

Gillean Lockhart’s richly expressive voice is like music by itself, and her poem about “Changeover Day” clean up should be a comedy classic for this island.

It was a wonderful evening, and from the enthusiastic response I hope it will become an annual event. Thanks to Tim, for arranging it, and to the Douglas Hotel for their hospitality.