Bev Walsh

I have always written poems for friends and special occasions but started writing more seriously about five years ago when the lure of performing at a local open mic night in Peterborough (A Pint of Poetry and a Dash of Drama) became too much.

Oh dear I haven’t been published yet! One of my ambitions is to publish my own collection of poems. The title of this collection will be “Knickers To It”. I’ve just finished reading a self help book on how to save time so I’m hoping to publish quite soon!

Which of your poems is your favourite and why?

The Blink of an Eye is one of my favourites and is very dear to me. It’s about a lifetime passing by so very quickly. It seems to strike a chord with many people.

I’m not sure which is my greatest success – maybe last year performing at the Edinburgh Festival (everyone is so impressed when you tell them!) My Ladies Only Fundraising Nights (a one woman show) have been a real highlight for me and great fun.

Coffee shops – I feel completely at home in coffee shops. I can switch off from everything around me and lose myself in ideas, thoughts and words – oh and people watching can instigate amazing ideas. I have many inspirational ideas whilst ironing too!

Who is your favourite poet and why?

I love Roger McGough. I totally connect with his poetry which has an element of everything that makes me tick. Brian Patten is another of my favourites; his poem Hair Today, No Her Tomorrow makes me laugh every time I read it.

What is your poetry style?

I know I must have a style but I’m not sure what it is. My poetry is light-hearted, with a focus on everyday topics and life’s experiences which I try to convey with a touch of humour. I suppose you could call it comedy performance. I’ve been compared to Pam Ayres many times (which I tend to take as a compliment).

Do you have any poetry lifetime ambitions?

I was recently asked this question at a poetry workshop and struggled to answer it. Having had time to think about the question, I would ultimately like to create my own show and be widely recognised as a comedy performance poet.

Who has inspired you along the way?

There are many people who have both inspired and encouraged me along the way.

My personal thanks go to Mark Grist who has opened the door to opportunities for me to perform. There are hoards of talented people who have inspired and stirred something in me. The best thing is everyone has their own individual unique style. No one is ever the same, so there’s always room for someone or something new.