A local Poetry group that has gone from strength to strength has just celebrated the publication of its first volume of poems.

Punching it with Poetry was officially launched at The Bookbarn, Hallatrow, last week, where the group meet regularly. It has proved a huge success, with very few books left for sale. Readers might be lucky enough to pick up a copy at The Green Shop, Midsomer Norton, Midsomer Norton Crafts (next to Wetherspoon’s) or the Bookbarn.

The book is a collaborative volume of poems by thirteen local poets and was supported by a Community Grant of £100 from Midsomer Norton Town Council, with the group funding the rest of the cost themselves. It is hoped that with sales from the book, the Barn Poets will now be able to be self-funding.

Punching it with Poetry sees each of the poets introduced to the reader; some published already, some having never written poetry before. They cover current and topical subjects, play on words, observe – some are humorous, some sad, some thought-provoking. It is hugely accomplished and moving and something the group should be very proud of indeed.

Editor and founding member, Shannon Turner, from The Barn Poets, said: “As I started to gather these poems together and place them in our book, I was blown away by the immense talent within our local community.

“Between these pages are works that can challenge any published poets. But these are brought to you by ordinary people; individuals we pass every day in the street; people that we might see at our local supermarket, or the local pub, or at church.

“Some are people who never thought they could write, others who have written since childhood. A few individuals have performed for years, and others are just stepping tentatively into that world.”

The group next meet on Tuesday, 15th January 2019 at the Full Stop Café from 6.30 p.m. – 7 p.m. to socialise and then from 7 p.m. – 8/8.30 p.m. latest for poetry readings. Young people from aged thirteen upwards also welcome, with the group meeting regularly on the third Tuesday of the month. You can bring your own poems to read, poems you love, or just come along and listen!

Because of the success of the book, January will be a donation-free session, so the group hope to see lots of new faces.