Back Row (L-R): Helen Taylor, Paul McGrane, Fiona Sampson, Lisa Roberts, Judith Palmer, Bea Colley, Holly Hopkins, Mike Sims. Front Row (L-R): Naomi Wood, Alan Ward, Lucy Wood.

The Poetry Society

About Us

Our mission is to advance the study, use and enjoyment of poetry. 

A charitable organisation founded in 1909, we provide support, information and merchandise for specialists and the general public alike. We have nearly 4,000 members worldwide and we engage with and support diverse poetry audiences.

Through events, publications, café, promotions and prizes we ensure the highest artistic quality; we create a central position for poetry in the arts and continue to build new avenues to promote poets and poetry in Britain today.

Our education work provides development opportunities for poets, teachers, pupils, and emerging writers, creating a central position for poetry in education through our advocacy and links with national arts and government initiatives.

Staff

Director - Judith Palmer
Editor of Poetry Review - Fiona Sampson 
Publications Manager - Michael Sims
Press and Marketing Manager - Lisa Roberts
Office and Marketing Assistant - Alan Ward 
Membership Manager - Paul McGrane
Poetry Café Manager - Ely Ahamed
Finance Manager - Paul Ranford
Finance Assistant - Naomi Wood
Education Manager - Bea Colley
Deputy Education Manager - Angel Dahouk
Education Projects Coordinator - Lucy Wood
Young People's Coordinator - Holly Hopkins
Slam Coodinator - Joelle Taylor
Laureate Projects Coordinator - Helen Taylor

Presidents, Vice Presidents, Trustees and Honorary Members

President: Jo Shapcott

Vice Presidents: Roger McGough, Hugo Williams, Sean O'Brien, Michael Longley, Ian McMillan, Benjamin Zephaniah, Gwyneth Lewis, Don Paterson, Simon Armitage, Anne Stevenson, Carol Ann Duffy

Trustees: Robyn Bolam (Chair), Emma Bravo, Peter Carpenter, Alan Jenkins, Anne Jenkins, Wendy Jones, Barry Kernon, John Richmond, Jacqui Rowe, Jacob Sam-La Rose, John Simmons

Honorary Members: Paul Muldoon, Lord Gavron, Seamus Heaney, Andrew Motion, Les Murray, Dr Alastair Niven, Norman Willis, Fleur Adcock, Joan Bakewell, Ruth Padel

Where We Are

Nearest Underground: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) / Holborn (Piccadilly and Central lines)

From Covent Garden Underground Station: Turn left out of the tube station onto Long Acre, then cross over at the zebra crossing (towards Marks and Spencer). Turn right and walk along Long Acre. At the end of the street turn left down Endell Street. You will see some trees ahead of you, Betterton Street is the second turning on the right, just before these.

The Poetry Society (number 22 Betterton Street) is less than 100 metres down on the left-hand side. It has a dark blue frontage. The Poetry Cafe next door is the Poetry Society's public space.

From Holborn Underground Station: Come out of the station's main entrance and cross the road towards Sainsburys. Walk down High Holborn until you reach Drury Lane (on your left). Betterton Street is the second turning on the right.

The Poetry Society (number 22 Betterton Street) is less than 100 metres down on the right-hand side. It has a dark blue frontage. The Poetry Cafe next door is the Poetry Society's public space.

Map: For a map of our location, see here.

Parking: There is a disabled parking bay opposite the building. There are two more disabled parking bays on Longacre outside French Connection.