The Gloucestershire Poetry Society (GPS) are the go-to group for amateur and professional poets in the county, to share and discuss their work with likeminded individuals.

Founder Ziggy Dicks is Gloucestershire born and bred, living in Gloucester and having studied in Cheltenham for his Masters in Creative and Critical Writing.

“I got into poetry at a young age,” he said. “But as with many it picked up in school with a good teacher introducing me to Ted Hughes and I haven’t looked back.

“What I love about poetry is observing the world and trying to find fresh perspectives on things often taken for granted day to day, with the hope of sharing an appreciation for all the small moments in life.”

Ziggy began the GPS in 2016, originally just for local poets in the county, but now the group has both national and international members.

He continued: “The Gloucestershire Poetry Society came about because I realised there were many poets separated and detached from each other, and I wanted to create a community where experienced and new poets could link and showcase their work.

“I created it to show how much talent there is locally and have not been disappointed. On the back of this success I created the Gloucester Poetry Festival and it’s gone from strength to strength. Our ethos is poetry is for everyone.”

For Ziggy, this month also marks the release of his first ever book, a collection of his original works entitled ‘Malcontent’.

“At school, not knowing I was dyslexic, used to get frustrated with writing and a teacher called me a malcontent,” he explained.

“At the time I didn’t appreciate what this meant and so investigated meaning. The book is a collection of poems exploring what it means to be a malcontent.

“I draw influences from Hughes and Heaney, but my writing is certainly my own. It’s my first collection and my second is almost written, so watch this space!”

The GPS regularly get together for events, and this month will be holding a special get together on International Women’s Day, on Friday 8th March, called ‘Raised Voices’.

“It’s a celebration of female poets locally and beyond,” continued Ziggy. “In the GPS we are an inclusive group and we want to share as many successes as possible.

“If in some small way we can highlight the inequalities many women suffer in the UK and beyond to inspire people, for positive change, it’s got to be good.”

For more information on the Gloucestershire Poetry Society and their events, visit www.thegloucestershirepoetrysociety.co.uk