On this podcast where we share all things poetry, I am joined by the one, the only, former Poet Laureate for Worcestershire Ade Couper.

Ade was born in Bedford far longer ago than he cares to remember. Ade lives with multiple sclerosis, has worked in health and social care for the last 20 years, and is an activist for human rights and disability rights. His 1st collection, "Made of Stories" was published by Black Pear Press".

Ade's words always come from the heart with the hope of making a difference to how people think and feel about those living with disability and giving those with disabilities a mouthpiece that fights for their rights everyday!

We will be discussing Ade's work as a poet laureate, how living with MS has shaped Ade's writing and of course we will be sharing some of the phenomenally moving pieces from Ade's collection 'Made of stories' and the stories behind them.

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On this podcast that celebrates and shares all things poetry. Today's episode is all about disability Pride. Celebrating our fantastic disabled community within and outside of the poetry community. We have some amazing voices to share on the podcast from Emily Hustwick who we have heard from in past episodes and Robert Punton who just can't keep away. We have Elen Downward joining us today lending her voice to her poem about an experience that happened in her family and how it affected them all and also a completely new voice to the podcast the lovely laura Liptrot, who not only submitted a beautiful poem but also featured in a wonderful story about the power of standing up to discrimination against the disabled community.

Please make sure to also check out Ben Kelly DJ extraordinaire from BJK entertainment limited. BJK Entertainment Ltd - Your Party Your Way (bjkentertainment-ltd.com)

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On this show that celebrates all things poetry, todays poem is all about those who suffer with chronic invisible illnesses.

If you liked this episode please come along and join my group the Bounty bunch on Facebook to keep up to date with all things poetry!

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On this podcast that celebrates all things poetry and creativity we have the incredible powerhouse performer that is James Scott-Howes joining us for a very special partners in Rhyme episode as he talks to the bounty bunch podcast about his new upcoming book 'unstable boi.

About the author

"I always knew I was different. I had nothing much to talk about with the other little boys and I was far too scared to speak to the girls, but at the same time I could never shut up. Showing off was the first thing that ever came naturally to me with writing as a close second. Pouring over the lyrics of Alice Cooper, Maiden and Megadeth records finding a treasure trove of long, obscure words that weren’t meant for nine year olds, I became fascinated by language and the power it had to take the endless flights of fantasy from the inside of my churning, pre-adolescent mind and make them into something real. The composure required to write the novels I’ve planned and abandoned a thousand times has always been a concern for others. Poems and lyrics suit my short form bursts of intense and obsessive creativity and inability to focus on any one thing for more than a few minutes, so very much better. A lifetime of failed bands and an urgent, all consuming need to describe the demons I’d been wrestling with in the cloying summer of 2018 brought me to spoken word in the autumn of that year and here I’ve stayed. Everything that’s kept me separate up until this point is what has given me a home in poetry and my new band. With my wife, my son and the beautiful oddities that I get to call my friends. I will never not be an unstable boi and finally, after 43 years, I know that’s ok."

If you would like to come along to James' poetry book launch date. He will be at The old Needleworks in Redditch: Mini Poetry Press takeover of Speak Your Mind Tickets, Wed, Jul 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Check out their YouTube channel UNSTABLE BOI - YouTube

If you would like to order James' book here's the link you need: Unstable Boi (minipoetrypress.com)

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Kane Corvus Derby based spoken word performer

Kane Is a Derby based spoken word performer, he has publishing deals with Back Room Poetry in the UK. His material has been broadcast on BBC radio. He has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and toured the UK and Europe, extensively gigging and headlining at any city, town or village with a poetry event or festival!!

His material is based on personal experience, feelings and emotions.

Find Kane via bandcamp to listen to more of his peices.

https://kanespeaks.bandcamp.com/track/when-i-die-all-this-dies-with-me

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On this podcast that shares all things poetry we have a special episode celebrating PRIDE month. We are joined by a plethora of queer poets and allies all eager to show you their PRIDE!

New poets to the podcast include:

Ash Bainbridge (they/he) is a queer poet, home educating parent, and student midwife with a flaming uterus. They light fires for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sexual and reproductive healthcare. In 2022, Ash recieved full mentorship with the word association. Their poems have since been found in mum poem press, solstice literary magazine, the Winnow and Inksac. Ash's debut poetry pamplet Trans-crip-t explores life living as a trans person with endometriosis. Ash is on the bill at the New York Poetry festival and will also be hosting a small spoken word event at Sugar daddy's in Worcester on Saturday 22nd June 6:30pm.

Emma Clowsley is a writer, performance poet, host, and sometime improv'er. She's also a card carrying National Trust Lesbian!

She's described as "unflinchingly honest, laugh out loud funny, and at times profoundly relatable."

Her debut pamphlet 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush' was published by Flight of the Dragonfly Press in May 2023.

Becky Leonard-Dixon is a Yorkshire lass living in the midlands. Her work explores mental health, bisexuality, allyship, trauma and hope. She is a visible advocate for bisexual women within her local community. A spoken word artist who has performed at Worcester theatre's queer arts initiative 'saucy', at women's writes 2022 led by the Worcestershire Poet Laureate and at both Malvern and Worcestershire Pride. She is an award-winning Stonewall Role Model and inclusion champion. She has appeared at Cheltenham Literature Festival as a former and compere for the collective Standing Proud. She has also been published in five poetry anthologies so far...

Claire Stroud

Worcestershire, 50, non-binary, neurodivergent, parent

Returning Guests

DK (2) AccessAbility Arts | Facebook

Alison Wilkinson

Lauren Ruddock

Jay Rose Ana Mini Poetry Press – A Universe of Storytelling

Robert Punton

Ashley Edge (2) Facebook (poetic Edge)

Charlotte Faulconbridge Inclusive Creatives | Inclusive Creatives

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On this podcast where we share and celebrate all things poetry. Today's poem is all about a love that defies the norms.

If you would like to submit a poem for our special PRIDE episode, please do so by emailing your submission to natalie@athenasbounty.co.uk as an MP3 or M4a file. If you would like the poem read on your behalf, please send as a word document and include a short bio with any submissions.

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