Leeds Lit Fest presents

Inspiring the City is supported by Leeds Inspired part of Leeds City Council.

A Walk in the Words – poetry walk and conversation with award-winning poet Lydia Kennaway and group therapist Jacinta Kent, Roundhay Park.

In Lydia Kennaway’s pamphlet, A History or Walking (HappenStance, 2019), each poem takes a different kind of walking, from promenade to protest march, to explore themes of possession, love, loss and fear of loss. The emotional range is broad, from the humour of ‘Walking the Dog’ to the anger of ‘Advice to Women Walking after Dark’ to the tenderness of ‘Dales Way’.

Meet at Roundhay Park main gates on Princes Avenue - the big wrought iron ones near the pedestrian crossing between The Roundhay Fox and the car park near the flower garden.

We'll walk from one sheltered area to another and stop to listen to a poem. After a further walk, that poem will be discussed, led by group therapist Jacinta Kent. This is a conversation, not a literary analysis, with the focus on ‘What does this poem say to you?’. Then the next poem will be read before heading off to our next destination. The walking time between stops will give participants a chance to let the poem settle in their minds before the next conversation. 

Dress appropriately for the weather and a gentle walk around Roundhay Park.