There is a public poetry reading held to launch each issue of SOUTH.

The launch of SOUTH 41 was held in Maidenhead on Wednesday 19th May 2010. On the first truly warm evening of the year more than forty poets and supporters came from far and wide to enjoy a full programme of poetry and conversation.

We were pleased to welcome poets from Preston, Devon, Leicestershire, along with those from our more traditional SOUTH 'heartlands'.

One of my tasks is to proof-read SOUTH; I get to know the poems very well before they're published. It is a special treat for me to meet the poet behind the words, and, often, to hear their selected poem in their own voice.

The evening took its usual form: ten readers, an interval, a further ten readers. The interval is a valued time to talk to old friends and to meet those new to SOUTH, who may be reading for the first time. Tony Turner, as usual, was our attentive host.

Many thanks to all who came and made this such a successful evening. If you couldn't make it this time, perhaps you'll be able to come to the launch of SOUTH 42 in October.
More details will appear here.

Chrissie Williams - 20th May