Off the page
Top stand-up poet Elvis McGonagall has signed up to spearhead a new poetry project in Dorset.
The Arts Council (opens in a new window) 
have awarded £29,950 to back Off The Page, an exciting new poetry development project for young people in Dorset.
Dorset County Council's Libraries and
Bridport Arts Centre (opens in a new window) put in a joint bid for the cash and will lead the project.
Spearheaded by
Elvis McGonagall (opens in a new window) (aka performance poet Richard Smith) it will integrate poetry writing, high energy live performance and audience development over a 21 month period.
Four main towns - Bridport, Sherborne, Swanage and Weymouth & Portland - will welcome poets in residence to inspire, mentor and work with local people.
Events, activities and workshops will be staged from this autumn and culminate in a high profile grand event at the Bridport Literary Festival in 2011.
The project is also set to include the appointment of a 'Young Poet Laureate' for Dorset.
