AS autumn brings a dramatic display of colour to the Welsh Marches, the small border town of Presteigne awaits the arrival of an inspirational gathering of poets and musicians, coming from the four corners of Wales and beyond, to participate in the new Poetry in Presteigne Festival, which runs from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18.

Throughout the weekend the Assembly Rooms in the centre of Presteigne will be alive to the voices and music of contemporary poets and musicians, including leading Welsh poet Paul Henry, and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch who is giving the first performance of her latest project, Tango in Stanzas, with dancer Peter Baldock and accordionist Guto Dafis which promises to be an exciting and innovative event.

The highlight of the festival on Saturday is an evening with Gillian Clarke, National Poet of Wales with Welsh triple harpist Robin Ward. Other poets appearing over the weekend include John Barnie, Susan Richardson, Steve Griffiths, Ros Hudis, Fiona Owen, Frank Olding, Graham Hartill, Edward Storey and Roger Garfitt with classical guitarist Gareth Rees-Roberts. Jan Fortune-Wood of Cinnamon Press and Nicholas Murray of Rack Press will also be there celebrating ten successful years in publishing together with Flarestack, another award-winning pamphlet press, and on Sunday night the blues and poetry group Hollow Log will be bringing the festival to a suitably rousing conclusion.

Over the weekend you can also explore ‘Words on the March’ a poetry trail created by Marches Poets which takes you along the streets and by-ways of the town, and to keep festival goers fortified throughout the day and into the night there will be tasty food and drinks available at Ruth Watson’s pop-up café at St Andrew’s Church Hall. Grant of Little People Books performs pop-up poetry for children in the Library and the Judge’s Lodging on Saturday and Sunday, while art work by Nicky Arscott and Tim Rossiter will be on exhibition in the Assembly Rooms.

For details of the full programme and to book tickets, visit poetryinpresteigne.org