Location: Sandham Memorial Chapel, Harts Lane, Near Newbury, Hampshire RG20 9JT

An afternoon of poetry and discussion with Adrian Blamires and Robert Fitzmaurice

Free entry for arrival between 3.00 – 3.30pm

The poet Adrian Blamires joins Robert Fitzmaurice to consider the themes and influences of his exhibition alongside those found in the Spencer Chapel paintings.

Adrian Blamires will be reading some new poems he has written on the Soldier theme as well as a selection of work by other poets influenced by their own wartime experiences or by Stanley Spencer's painting. As well as the readings there will be reflections on how artists and writers of different eras have responded to war, whether as combatants or non-combatants.

The event will start at 3pm and people will have time to view the exhibition and the Stanley Spencer paintings before the reading at 3.30pm. After the readings and discussion there will be an opportunity for people to ask questions and return to the exhibition.

Adrian Blamires has published two collections of poetry, ‘The Effect of Coastal Processes’ (a Waterstone's 'Best New Poetry' selection) and ‘The Pang Valley’, both from Two Rivers Press. He currently teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Reading. Previous verse-image collaborations with Robert Fitzmaurice include an exhibition and reading to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, and ‘Eliza's Entertainments’, a limited-edition Tudor-themed booklet.