We had apologies from Harry, Nancy and Felicity

A very good meeting! So much to discuss and so many topics were covered. I especially enjoyed the chat about the Belin Wall, after Vicky had read the Matthew Sweeny poem and of course the discussions around John Donne and gardeners/ milkmen/ etc etc

And to those who were able to stay until the end, thank you for indulging me and letting me read one of my Christmas poems. OK, you didn't have much choice I agree but nonetheless...............

I read Big Snow by Philip Gross and Saturday Night at the Bethlehem Arms by Gareth Owen (and The Christmas Confessions of Tom Aged Ten)

Sue read The Ballad of the Breadman by Charles Causley

Jane read The Milkman and My Imagination, both from her collection of poems generated by the dementia support group at St. Cath's hospital.

Irene read Mistletoe by Walter de la Mare and Somebody Told The Wild Geese by Rachel Field

Ralph read No Man Is An Island by John Donne and Happiness by Carl Sandburg

Lynn read `The Oxen by Thomas Hardy and BC.AD by U A Fanthoorpe

Catherine read King John's Christmas by AA Milne and A Miracle, from a collection of poems set to music by Carol-Ann Duffy

Carol read The Journey of the Magi by TS Eliot and Help Wanted by Tomothy Tocher

Linda read The Holly and The Ivy and The Christmas Wreath both by Alan Tichmarch

Vicky read Breaches by Matthew Sweeny

Sue read Somewhere Around Christmas by John Smith and Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Nora read The Voice of Winter by Laura Purdie Salas

Chris read Santa Is A Yorkshireman by Chris Burden and Poem for December by James Bernard

So thank you everyone for another excellent year of sharing and enjoying poetry. There has been a real richness and depth to the work you have chosen. What always suprises and delights me is that alongside many true and trusted favourites, we all seem to come up with new and unknown poets, sometims from centuries ago, sometimes from very recently, whose work is a revelation to us all. I've been wrapped up in poetry since I was at school and still every month, you come up with names I have never ever encountered. Fantastic!

What a pleasure it is to meet and chat and laugh and hear such poetic gems each month. It is just such a lovely, open and refreshing group. Thank you all. I can't wait to start 2026, on January 20th ( I think. You know what I'm like. But that is the third Tuesday of the month ahead).

At the next meeting, can you bring £5.00 along please so that Nancy can pay Amanda. Thankyou.

Happy Christmas to you all and let's look forward to a happy and poetry-filled 2026.

David