Train of thought
“Experience the rhythmic journey of ‘Train of Thought’ poetry project!”
Exciting news that having received funding from Transport For Wales, South West Wales Connected and Severnside Community Rail Partnerships have collaborated and facilitated a series of poetry workshops with some well known poets and produced a new and wonderful “Train of thought” Poetry Anthology Inspired by Rail Routes from Taunton to South West Wales.”
Following the resounding success of the “Soundtrack to the Severn Beach Line,” a project created by musicians and poets under the banner of Track Record Arts in 2019, Severnside Community Rail Partnership envisioned extending and encompassing more local rail routes in a tapestry of verse and locomotion, so when approached by South West Wales Connected, the stars aligned to collaborate, along with the generous support of Transport for Wales.
Through research and by reaching out to several established poetry groups across the region, they invited the groups and individuals for the opportunity to take part in carefully planned workshops from Pembrokeshire to Taunton which were absolutely filled with creativity. Special thanks are owed to the poets involved, Bob Walton, Bethan Handley, Kerry Steed, Claire Williamson and Sue Hill who helped facilitate and host the wonderful poetry workshops.
Participants were invited to explore a simple question: “What does the railway mean to you?” The responses were poems that encapsulate human experience and love for the railway, be it through a memory of a journey, the imaginative romance, or days long since past.
Receiving well over 100 poetry submissions after the workshops were completed and each poetry submission being of the highest standard, the project then had the difficult task of selecting only 60 to be printed in a new poetry anthology, and each poem stands as a testament to the profound impact of this age-old mode of transport.
Hard copies of the poetry anthology can be obtained from either of the Community Rail partnerships as they are eagerly waiting to welcome everyone aboard the “Train of Thought”.
Book launch was at the clayton hotel in cardiff on Monday 13th May where attendees had the opportunity to perform their piece and do a reading
Eve Sherratt – South West Wales Connected “ This has been a pleasure and an amazing project to be part of. It has merged poetry and rail, and it not only breathes life into the railway experience but also ignites a creative spark in artists and passengers alike, fostering a deeper connection with our wonderful railways”