Roundel Tonbridge

11/10/2026

05/10/2026

What a great evening at Maidstone LitFest poetry competition prize giving 1 October. Sara Davis from Roundel (shortlisted) reads her poem. Other successful Roundel members: Sue Marlow (longlisted) Clare Marsh and Margaret Beston (Highly Commended)

21/09/2026

At the end of Walking with Words participants were asked to write a few words about the experience. Here is the Community Poem that resulted. Well done to all the paricipants! These are your words united in a poem!

The slow Medway, abundant orchards, slow and abundant poets
no aspens but an abundance of apple trees
a reminder that we are part of this beauty
not separate beings
leaves twisting, water crashing, engine grunting
friends old and new walk in groups
like stanzas in a poem
impending Autumn calms our steps
a lovely social group full of ideas and knowledge
wonderful meandering through orchards
wanderings by the riverbank, friendship
walking with words whiling away the weekend
with willows, water and wordsmiths
comforting vistas and new friends
the willow reminded me of Hockney - deep joy!
A real education enveloped by beautiful poetry
the Ottershaw willows stand slim and grey
their settled trunks cast rippled shadows
across the glassy river
soul-enriching poems that connected
with nature and humans pefect
the generosity of creative sharing.

Participants in Walking with Words September 2026

21/09/2026

On September 19 Roundel organised Walking with Words in collaboration with Walk Tonbridge Festival. During a short walk through Kentish countryside, we stopped to read poems - some of ours and some well known poem from our 'bag of dreams' read by participants. A delightful afternoon, ending with a sumptuous tea at The Bell at Golden Green.

19/09/2026

29/06/2026

It's the last Monday of the month - which means it's the Roundel Poetry Breakfast. This morning we heard poems by Coleridge, Robert Burns and Pam Ayres, amongst others. If you enjoy reading poetry - or would just like to know more - why not join us? We're a really friendly group and welcome newcomers. We meet from 9.30 - 11 on the last Monday of every month at Nancy's Tea Room in Lamberts Yard where there are wonderful pastries to tempt you with your coffee! If you'd like to know more, please email [email protected]

07/05/2026

I met a wonderful group of people yesterday. I’m used to speaking to history and textile groups, but Roundel Tonbridge are writers who like to do things differently. They’ve had talks from a beekeeper, music from a cellist and now handled silk from cocoon to finished textile. Their thank-you card was of course, a beautiful poem. I’m so looking forward to reading some of what they write.🧵🖋️