Books & Spoken Word
Access All Poetry: Stephen Lightbown, Donna Williams, Giles L Turnbull
Launch event for popular Bristol poet Stephen Lightbown’s (pictured) debut collection, Only Air, plus guests Donna Williams and Giles L. Turnbull.
“Celebrate D/deaf and disabled poetry in a relaxed and fully accessible atmosphere. In a BSL-interpreted event three poets will present poems and then take part in a lively discussion about accessibility in poetry.”
Stephen Lightbown is a Bristol-based, Blackburn born poet. In 1996, aged 16, Stephen became paralysed following an accident when he hit a tree whilst sledging in the snow. Twenty years after the accident he began writing poetry and writes extensively but not exclusively about life as a wheelchair user. In March 2019 his first poetry collection, Only Air, was published by Bristol-based Burning Eye Books.
is needed now More than ever
Donna Williams is a deaf poet who uses English and British Sign Language. Working with such different languages has inspired a deep interest in translation and how her work can be made accessible to hearing and deaf audiences. She has performed at festivals around the UK as well as in America and Brazil. Her poems cover many themes, from bilingualism to identity, to her beloved cats.
Giles L. Turnbull is a blind poet living in south Wales. His poems and articles have appeared in Fair Acre Press, Poetry Wales and Acumen, amongst others, and in anthologies by Disability Arts Cymru, Three Drops from a Cauldron, and Nine Arches Press. He was shortlisted in the Bridport Prize in 2017. His debut pamphlet, Dressing Up, was published by Cinnamon Press in January 2017.
The event will have level access, disabled parking, a quiet space, accessible toilet and will be BSL interpreted.
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