East
Introduction
Greetings. I am Hannah Jane Walker and I work as Apples and Snakes Project Coordinator for the East of England. The East region covers Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. I work in this role one day a week (the rest of the time I am a poet), and am based at the wonderful literature development agency Writers Centre Norwich. They are interested in the artistic and social impact of creative writing, and work with writers, readers and diverse communities on a wide range of ongoing and one off projects and events. They work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and have developed productive partnerships with many organisations.
The East
The East is thriving with a whole host of emerging and established spoken word and poetry talent. We’re served by some excellent performance poetry events and societies, such as Wordfest, CB1 and Hammer and Tongue in Cambridge, Shortcuts in Halesworth, Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, Latitude and Suffolk Poetry Society, Café Writers, Outspoken and Norwich Poetry Club in Norfolk, A Pint of Poetry and Dash of Drama in Peterborough, Rrrrants in St. Albans. Talented artists based in the East, among others, include John Cooper Clark, Martin Newell, Luke Wright, Ross Sutherland, Esther Morgan, Sam Riviere, Tim Clare, George Szirtes, Molly Naylor, Martin Figura, Holly McNish, Dean Parkin, Fay Roberts and John Osborne.
We’re also incredibly fortunate to have brilliant support systems for developing artists, such as Escalator Performing Arts and Escalator East to Edinburgh. These programmes are championed, contributed to and managed by a group of dynamic, supportive organisations and venues such as Colchester Arts Centre, The Junction Cambridge, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich Arts Centre and Arts Council England East.
Projects
My current project aims include; developing the network of spoken word artists and organisations in the East, working in partnership with Writers Centre Norwich to support and showcase new and emerging artists through the creation of a new artist development programme, working with The Garage Norwich on a youth development programme and contributing to steering group meetings for Shake the Dust – the nationwide youth poetry slam managed by Apples and Snakes. Look out for Apples and Snakes projects happening in the region soon!
