The Not Scary Poetry Group is one of our Poetry Champions. During the Olympics, Paralympics and beyond they will be sharing their views on the Olympics and telling us what they thought of the Winning Words poetry anthology. Here we are introduced to each member of the group.
Diane King: I am a founder member of the Not Scary Poetry Group and have attended all but two meetings since its inception almost three years ago. I particularly enjoy the poetry of Edna St Vincent Millay, T.S. Eliot, Simon Armitage, and Dannie Abse. I’ve enjoyed discovering a diverse range of poems and poets of which I was previously unaware which has led to broadening my reading of poetry. However, what I have enjoyed most is the enthusiasm of other group members which leads to interesting and in depth discussions.
Sheelagh Gallagher: The Not Scary Poetry Group is something I have always wanted to happen. We have covered many different poets and the group has settled down to a small but devoted band who meet once a month. Karen ,who has given generously of her time and energy, sends out notes from each meeting for which I am extremely grateful. One of the other really positive characteristics of the group is that when we choose a poet someone volunteers to read up on that poet and to introduce the subject. This September I’m doing Anglo-Saxon poetry. 
Corinne Moore: I joined in August/September last year because I wanted to learn more about poetry and become more acquainted with different poets and their works. I finally retired last year so now I have more time and I am enjoying reading and writing some fiction and poetry. Not Scary is a friendly group of interesting people which has made me very welcome and I am enjoying increasing my knowledge base and reading some wonderful poetry. Recently we discussed Carol Ann Duffy and read some of her poems. I particularly enjoyed Anne Hathaway.
Steve Hill: I am a former businessman who has always loved literature more than business . . . but poetry and penury usually go hand in hand, so needs must! I love poetry that has something to say, goes about it with subtlety and preferable brings a smile while doing so. My favourite poets include Simon Armitage, Don Paterson, Roger McGough and Matthew Sweeney, but my list of favourite poets changes from day to day. At the time of writing, my favourite poem is Nil:Nil by Don Paterson, but this choice again changes regularly!
Sue Hardstaff: I have been coming to the group since it started and enjoy our discussion of poets I haven’t read before, such as Tomas Transtromer which had an unexpected depth of meaning. G.M. Hopkins’ poem Windhover gave a realistic picture in my mind; I could almost feel the wind in my face as I looked up at the bird. C Rossetti has written apparently simple thoughts which summarise deep emotions and the direct, unpunctuated verses of ee cummings promoted a really lively evening. Our group has fascinating time reading and talking every month, long may it continue!
Mary Walsh: For me the road not travelled was a career in the world of books. Reading and writing poetry have however sustained me and provided an emotional anchor point throughout many years spent working in healthcare. I joined the Not Scary Poetry Group last summer after hearing about it at the Southwell Library Poetry Festival. I have enjoyed the ethos of active participation and the sudden or dawning insights that come from reading and discussing poems together. Some of my favourite poems include: T.S. Eliot The Waste Land, P.B. Shelley Ozymandias and G.M. Hopkins The Wreck of the Deutschland.
Karen Winyard: Poetry is my drug of choice and belonging to a group like Not Scary is a delight and a privilege. The pleasure of spending time with people who share my passion for words, discovering new poets, rediscovering old favourites and occasionally sharing my own work with people I have come to trust to give my words a gentle but honest hearing is something I value beyond gold. Three poems I hold in my heart at all times are: Ted Hughes Chaucer, Brian Patten The Stolen Orange, Simon Armitage The Overtones.
Get involved
We would love to hear about your poetry reading groups. Drop us an email and tell us who’s involved, how long you’ve been together, and what your group’s top three poems are. You can also share your favourite poems with us on facebook and twitter.
