ON OUR RADAR

The Big Spork! Poetry Picnic

Spork! is holding an interactive family-friendly indoor poetry and music workshop on picnic blankets.

Leigh Curtis

Spork! is holding an interactive family-friendly workshop on Sunday 5 June at Exeter Phoenix.

The Big Spork! Poetry Picnic, which will take place indoors on picnic blankets, will include ice-breakers, word games and poetry and music with Simon Mole and Gecko.

Participants will be guided through the process of writing a poem and will receive an activity pack designed by Anna Bruder of A Line Art to fill in before, during or after the event.

The workshop is suitable for everyone aged six years or older.

Please note that the event is BYOB (Bring Your Own Biscuits.)

The Big Spork! Poetry Picnic Sunday 5 June 2022 Exeter Phoenix Image: Rua Arts

Spork! is a community-led producer of spoken-word works. It was founded in 2018 by Exeter poet and artist Chris White.

He said: “We put on regular gigs at Exeter Phoenix featuring local talent and line-ups from across the UK, as well a year-round programme of writing and performance workshops, online events and our artist development strand Spork Up!

“In the past three years we’ve put on over 40 events including slams competitions, haiku workshops and online gigs.

“We’ve worked with a range of partners from Newcourt Community Centre to Mothers Who Make, and have programmed drag queens, brass bands and rappers as well as some of the best spoken-word artists in the UK and beyond, including Buddy Wakefield, Vanessa Kissule and John Hegley.”

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

The Big Spork! Poetry Picnic is at 2pm on Sunday 5 June 2022 at Exeter Phoenix.

Visit the Exeter Phoenix website for more information and to book tickets.

The Big Spork! Poetry Picnic is produced by Rua Arts and supported by The Albany, Apples and Snakes and Arts Council England.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services logo

HMICFRS identifies sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police improvements to return force to routine monitoring

Inspectorate decision follows nearly three years of enhanced monitoring after force found inadequate in three of nine areas and requiring improvement in two more, but says “still work to do” in crime recording standards and investigations management.

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell, previous chief constable Will Kerr and interim chief constable James Vaughan

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell receives 18-month misconduct warning

Outcome of Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation delivered day before retirement of suspended chief constable Will Kerr announced, with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez unwilling to say whether “golden handshake” agreed.

Newtown active travel scheme map

Newtown active travel scheme approved after four years of public consultations

Joint Devon County Council and Exeter City Council project includes road closure, car parking changes and contraflow Clifton Hill cycle lane.

South West peninsula 2025 spending review road and rail investment map

Dawlish rail resilience, Exeter A379 bridge renewal and Cullompton M5 J28 schemes all shelved after spending review

Government road and rail funding announcement billed as “the biggest boost to England's transport infrastructure in a generation” largely passes Devon and Cornwall by while leaving final phase of South West Rail Resilience Programme undelivered.

Illustrative floor plan of new redevelopment proposals

New Heavitree Road police station student accommodation and “co-living” complex proposals submitted to Exeter City council

Application for full planning permission for 813-room scheme in seven blocks follows decision to reject previously-proposed 955-room scheme in two blocks which was subsequently upheld at appeal.