Last autumn at the Farrell Centre we ran a series of poetry masterclasses titled City Poetry, hosted by poet Anna Woodford. Following Anna’s prompts, participants worked from the urban landscape, finding poetic inspiration in unsung places. The sessions were partially funded by The Royal Literary Fund.
To celebrate World Poetry Day this 21st March, here are a couple of poems that resulted from the sessions, alongside an animation of Anna Woodford’s poem Everything is Present.
Christine Partridge
Christine Partridge is a visual artist and poet based in Northumberland. Her creative practice is influenced by multiple narratives about our entangled relationship with the more than human world, impermanence and place.
The inspiration for her poem Newcastle (November 2025) was an invitation to be present and notice as she slowly walked the streets and lanes near the Farrell Centre.
Chris’ poems have been published in Singing Apple Press, The Fig Tree and Crooked Spine Press. Her first collection The Depth of Previous Working is Unknown will be published by Broken Sleep Books in August 2026.
Newcastle (November 2025)
Black litter bins
mining waste
in the darkness
By the King’s Walk a parade of tiny lions
each with an individual cross
on a shield in a circle
The yellow route
had a haircut only the arrow is free
Water flows beneath
the rapid slide out
unseen by any feet
The steel rails
are
insolent
with their curves
The glass panels obedient in their line of orderly squares
A seagull leaves its mark
on the stone slabs
marching
down
the slope
The crow’s nest offers
a quiz night
and
growing from the crack
beside the metal pillar holding up our dreams
a small Groundsel plant coloniser of disturbed ground
whispers
another story
Susan Olney
Susan’s interest in the built environment began as a child in the 1970s, a time of radical change for Newcastle. The Metro system was installed; the motorway from the Tyne Bridge cut through the old streets; and a Georgian town square was contentiously swept away to build Eldon Square. Consequently, she became the first Sacred Heart girl to study Town and Country Planning at Liverpool Polytechnic. Her Honours Degree led to a 38 year career in Local Government and Housing Associations. In 2025, she qualified as a Newcastle City Guide. She is currently a Volunteer Guide at the historic home of Newcastle’s Literary & Philosophical Society, and also The Watch House of The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. Now retired (but not tired), she is really, really proud of the place she calls hyem.
Who built The Toon? Trollope built a quayside pub And part of the old Guildhall. Bob ‘short-arse’ built a Castle of wood. But Hadrian just built a wall. King Henry built a Castle of stone A Keep so fine and tall T Dan built a motorway. But Hadrian just built a wall. Dobson and Parnell built a restaurant. It’s very nice but very small. The Green boys built The Theatre Royal. But Hadrian just built a wall. Grainger built a Market. The Toon’s first shopping Mall. It had a handy Weigh-House. But Hadrian just built a wall. St James built a Stadium With nets to catch a ball. St Michael built a Penny Bazaar. But Hadrian just built a wall. Dobson built most of ‘Grainger Town’. He almost built it all. With a Monument and a curvy street. But Hadrian just built a wall. Farrell put a barrel in Hancock’s roof. ‘The Great North Museum’ now call. He put a chromosome in the Centre for Life. But Hadrian just built a wall. Terry’s Quayside Master Plan Gives Culture and Art for all. There’s bridges for trains & trucks & trikes. But Hadrian just built a wall. Cackett & Burns Dick built The Laing. Go in at no cost at all. There’s paintings and sculptures all over the place. But Hadrian just built a wall. Norman Foster built The Sage But Gateshead doesn’t count at all. Its world class, and made of glass. But Hadrian just built a wall. 2000 years ago The Tyne flowed by. But there was nothing here at all. Then Hadrian came And built a fort And he also built THE WALL.
Poet and facilitator of the City Poetry workshops Anna Woodford also writes a lot about the region. Anna’s poem Everything is Present is about rushing to see her mother in Freeman Hospital for the last time during lockdown.
The poem is published in Anna’s latest book and was made into an animation by April Moreno Alvaraez for the Forward Arts Foundation, which you can watch below.
Image: from Everything is Present animation by April Moreno Alvaraez