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On a sunny spring morning I stepped off the tube at Oakwood station, near the end of London’s Piccadilly Line, and made my way to the local library, writes Bookbite web editor Linda Konradsson.

Nestled between a butcher shop and a cafe opposite the open spaces of Trent Park, this venue is the meeting point for Enfield Borough Over 50s Forum Poetry Group – an organization with a long name but with quite a short history. Started in 2008 on the initiative of Monty Meth (then Chairman of the Forum), the group has grown from a handfull of followers to over 40 active members – about half of which regularly attend the monthly meetings. It is at one of these gatherings I get the chance to meet the members and enjoy their poetry.

Today about 25 people have gathered in the bright communal room at the back of the library. Chairs have been place in rows and a foldable speaker’s lectern placed at the front of the room, sharing space with the library’s kitchenette. Gwen is the chosen leader of the day. She kicks off by reminding us of this month’s chosen theme – London. Recite a poem about the capital, or read your own homemade London verse is the order of the day. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the gathering guided smoothly by Gwen, who at times puts on a piece of music to get the crowd in the mood, sparking the odd impromptu sing-along.                                        

The main aim of the group is simply to enjoy poetry – but the benefits have reached far beyond that says the group’s coordinator and published poet David Oliver.

‘We have seen the participants' confidence grow; at first no one wanted to take part, now they’re not scared to read and lead the group. They get inspired by each other and it brings them out of their shells’.

Chairwoman Irene Richards adds: ‘Poetry keeps your mind open. You start to recognize feelings inside and find the vocabulary to describe them. You might wake at 3am with a perfect verse in your head that you just have to scribble down.’

David and Irene speak about members who have been unwell or had learning difficulties, but found remedy and support to get through tough times in the group.

‘Talking about your life and your background can work like therapy’, says David.

‘If we can keep just one person out of the clutches of the NHS’, says Irene, ‘imagine what cost this will save.’

Aren’t the speakers nervous standing in front of the group?

‘Some were initially’, says David, ‘but they feel safe in this familiar atmosphere. No one judges them in the group – here they are accepted for who they are.’

So how would you go about setting your own group up?

‘You need an enthusiastic person to start’, says Irene. ’Then you need to arrange somewhere to meet - you don’t want to be scratching around every month for a venue.’ 

The Enfield group contacted their local council who offered them a meeting room free of charge at the local library.

‘It is important to try and not incur any costs’, says Irene.  ‘And the venue should be easy to get to for members.’

David shows me a list of the members – participants come from all over the borough.

Once they had secured their location, the group's existence was publicised in the Forum Newsletter and advertised in the local library. A few people showed up the first month, and then more and more came along. Members bring friends, family or even neighbours to the monthly gatherings.

Can anybody learn to enjoy and write poetry?

David and Irene agree on this point; neither come from an academic background: their parents worked the land or in the factories.  Their motto is: Poetry is for everybody, and it can be composed by ordinary people – not just the literary establishment.

London (Acronymn) by Sara Davis

London: a love affair by Irene Richards