Upcoming Events
On Saturday 5th December there will be a Women’s Poetry event at the Central library in Hull. More details to follow.
Upcoming Readings by Crooked Spire Poets
You can find out more about Ian Parks’ upcoming readings here, Matthew Paul’s readings here and David Harmer’s readings here.
Past Events
The Fig Tree Women’s Poetry Anthology – Launch Events
This took place on Saturday, October 3rd 2026 at 2pm at at the Unitarian Church in Doncaster – photos here. More about the book here.
On Tuesday, 6th October there was an evening of readings by poets in The Fig Tree Women’s Anthology over Zoom.
The Fig Tree and Crooked Spire Press presents Ed Reiss
Ed Reiss read from his forthcoming collection Stakeknife and was supported by Julia Deakin and Bruce Woodcock.
The reading was free to attend, and took place at Doncaster Unitarian Church, 60 Hall Gate, Doncaster DN1 3PB on Saturday, 18th July 2026.
The Fig Tree Anthology 2025 – Doncaster Launch Event
On Saturday 11th April 2026 the Fig Tree’s second anthology was launched at the Unitarian Church in Doncaster, with readings by poets in the book. Photos from the event are here.
The Fig Tree Anthology 2025 – Online Launch Event
On Sunday 18th May 2026 poets published in the Fig Tree’s second anthology read their poems.
Ian Parks supported by Matthew Paul
On Friday 21st November, 2025 at the City Screen Picture house, Coney Street, York, Ian Parks and Matthew Paul read from their collections and were supported by local poet Janet Dean and local poet/musician Jane Stockdale. The event was held in conjunction with Navigators Art.
The Fig Tree Coal Mining Anthology – Doncaster Launch Event
Saturday, November 15th 2025 at at the Unitarian Church in Doncaster – event info and photos here
On Tuesday, November 18th 2025 there was an online reading with poems read by the contributors.
Garforth Library Coal Anthology Reading
Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 with guests Ian Parks and Sarah Wimbush. Photos of the event are here.
Woodhorn Mining Museum, Ashington Coal Anthology Reading
Saturday, March 27th, 2026 with guests Ian Parks and Joe Williams. With thanks to Greg Freeman for organizing.
David Harmer Launch Event
David read from his pamphlet Before It’s Too Late on Saturday, May 23rd 2026 at The Brewery Tap, Doncaster with guests Lisa Falshaw, Mike O’Brien, Alison Stark and Adam Strickson.
David Harmer Online Reading
David read from his pamphlet Before It’s Too Late on Sunday, June 7th 2026 with guests Sarah James, Matthew Paul and Di Slaney.
The Sons of Darkness and the Sons of Light – Doncaster Launch Event
Ian Parks read from his powerful collection on Saturday, October 11th at the Unitarian Church in Doncaster – find more about this event here – with guests Susan Darlington, Steve Ely and Laura Strickland with music by Liam Wilkinson.
The Sons of Darkness and the Sons of Light – Online Reading
Ian Parks read from his latest collection (see here for more information) on 21st October 2025 alongside guests Bob Beagrie, Gaia Holmes, Vanessa Lampert and Charlotte Wetton. It was an evening of fabulous poetry.
Ian Parks at Read 2 Write Doncaster
Ian spoke to Crooked Spire publisher Tim Fellows about his new collection The Sons of Darkness and the Sons of Light, the Read 2 Write team read selected poems from the book and Ian read the long title poem in its entirety.
The Last Corinthians – Doncaster Launch Event
Matthew Paul read from his latest collection on Saturday, June 7th 2pm at the Dystopia Bar (upstairs), Doncaster Brewery Tap, 7 Young Street, Doncaster, DN1 3EL with guests Victoria Gatehouse and Ed Reiss. Photos and reviews can be found here.
Matthew Paul at Read 2 Write in Doncaster
Matthew read from The Last Corinthians and led a workshop on persona writing to 26 poets in Doncaster.
The Last Corinthians London Launch Event
Matthew Paul read from his latest collection on Tuesday, June 17th, 7pm at The Devereux, 20 Devereux Ct, London, WC2R 3JJ with guests Vanessa Lampert, Ian Parks and Mat Riches – find out more about this event here.
The Last Corinthians – Online Launch Event
Matthew Paul read from his latest collection on Tuesday, 10th June at 7pm online using Zoom with guests Shash Trevett and Cliff Yates – you can find more about this event here
The Fig Tree Anthology 2024 – Online Launch Event
Took place on Sunday, 18th May 2025 online using Zoom – find more about this event here
Crooked Spire Press and Fig Tree Anthology 2024 Launch Event
Crooked Spire Press was launched on Saturday, 26th April 2025 at the Unitarian Church in Doncaster with its first publication – find more about this event here
