POETRY AT THE POTTERY!

BRITAIN’S TEA POET SERVES UP A WARMING BREW IN WENLOCK

Crossing her home county border for a special trip from her home in Bromyard, Elizabeth Darcy Jones – Britain’s Tea Poet - joins Much Wenlock’s Poetry Festival founder, Anna Dreda and guests for ‘Afternoon Tea with a difference’ at Wenlock Pottery on Friday 26^th November at 3 pm (tickets £10 to include a copy of Distinguished Leaves, tea and cakes.) The pottery has created some bizarre teapots over the years: from a giant ‘Mad Hatter’s’ teapot to an equally crazy two spouted pot but this is the first time they’ve showcased a poet spouting poetry about tea.

Drawing on material from her book, ‘Distinguished Leaves: Poems for Tea-Lovers’ (with a Foreword by Nigel Havers) Elizabeth describes different teas as characters in vibrant verse, punctuated by anecdote describing the remarkable ‘serendipitea’ that has led to being dubbed Britain’s Tea Poet, and last month being appointed Poet In Residence at Mayfair’s The Chesterfield Hotel. The book came into being thanks to Shropshire based Quiller Publishing who signed their first poet after being charmed by two poems – one about lazy monk, Lapsang Souchong and the charming ‘Earl Grey’ ‘He’s such a Nigel Havers of a tea’… Their M.D., Andrew Johnston says, ‘This volume is an absolute delight, making sophisticated teas and verse accessible to all.’

Passionate about bringing poetry to new audiences in little sips, Elizabeth sees her subject – tea – with the potential to put ‘love back on the table, along with the teapot’. She believes (as ancient Chinese and Korean literature suggests) that poetry is the natural language of tea and is inspiring people from all walks of life, from hairdressers and children to high powered business executives to enjoy ‘poetea’ – tea poetry.

The book resembles an adult Beatrix Potter and the author will be signing copies as guests indulge in chocolate cake, scones and hot crumpets while sipping the tea that belongs to the county, Shropshire Blend.