THEY say you can’t find the answers at the bottom of a pint pot.
But a top Macclesfield poet has big plans to challenge that proverb – by waxing lyrical all over the town’s beer mats.
Jo Bell, Cheshire Laureate in 2007 and a Macclesfield Canal narrowboat dweller, is inviting punters to free ‘workshops’ in Sutton and Bollington pubs, and your collaborations could wind up in print and on the tables at your local.
"I’ll just be sat in the corners of the pubs waiting for inspiration – and people!" she said. "I don’t think we’ll produce anything Byronic, it’s more likely to be along the lines of ‘Shall I compare thee to a pint of Guinness?’."
The word whizz is set to appear at the Vale Inn, on Adlington Road in Bollington, tomorrow (Thursday, May 21), at the Bollington Festival marquee at 7.30pm, and at Church House, Church Lane, in Sutton, on Wednesday, June 3.
The scheme is the brainchild of Cheshire East Council’s Shelagh Malley, who confirmed the plan was for the ale-inspired sonnets to end up on beer mats. Jo’s expectations reflect her glass half-full mentality.
"I think it will be great fun. Anyone can come and have a bash at writing some short poems. This is about making poetry accessible, and getting everyone involved in a fun and non-stuffy way. I expect some people will be surprised to see me in the corner with my Speckled Hen!"
