On Sunday, October 4, three poetry groups from Wrexham, Carmarthen, and Llantwit Major came together to celebrate National Poetry Day with the inaugural All Wales Hybrid Poetry event. Participants engaged in a diverse range of themes, including ‘Wonder’—the designated theme for this year's National Poetry Day—alongside topics like wild swimming, biscuits, and peace.

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The event attracted over seventy attendees and rotated between three venues, featuring live performances from local poets, which were also broadcast on large screens at other locations and online.

In Wrexham, Natasha Borton hosted the Voicebox event, while Dominic Williams from Write4Word presided over the Carmarthen venue, the central point for the hybrid aspect of the gathering. Williams noted that his spoken word night has developed an international online community, drawing participants from countries such as Mexico and Sweden.

In Llantwit Major, the Poetry and Pints on-air hosted by Sarah Persson collaborated with Cardiff's Urban Wordsmiths led by Dai Woolridge. The event lasted over four hours, highlighting the vibrant poetry culture across Wales. Kath Giblin of Bardic Books characterized the day as “a beautifully orchestrated chorus of voices raised in poetry,” and poetry enthusiast Gilli-Ann Prevett remarked on the shared Welsh experiences through the unique lens of poetry.

Dominic Williams elaborated on Write4Word’s hybrid approach, saying the pandemic fostered connections among poets globally, ultimately enhancing accessibility for Welsh poets—especially those with disabilities who previously struggled to attend such events. He expressed pride in uniting grassroots venues across Wales and showcasing the breadth of poetic talent.

The initiative was sparked by an interview on Bro Radio’s First Draft, connecting Sarah Persson and Natasha Borton, who shared a vision of uniting poetry communities from North and South Wales. This collaboration materialized after discussions with Dominic and Dai Woolridge.

Borton expressed the significance of the event, stating it provided an opportunity for poets to connect, share their voices, and engage in a national conversation that transcends geographical boundaries. Woolridge reflected on the joy of partnering with fellow creatives, emphasizing the importance of offering platforms for diverse voices.

Looking ahead, the organizers, who volunteered their time, are eager to connect with additional poetry events across Wales, aiming to broaden participation in future editions. Natasha emphasized the potential for collaboration to enhance community ties and foster new relationships.

Dominic Williams is set to host the Coracle Europe Fringe festival from October 23 to 29, with a poetry slam scheduled for October 25. Upcoming poetry nights include:

- Poems and Pints in Llantwit Major (Second Sunday of the Month at The Old Swan, 6:30 PM)

- Urban Wordsmiths in Cardiff (Next event on November 6)

- Voicebox in Wrexham (Second Monday of the month)

- Write4Word in Carmarthen at Cwrw and online (Every four weeks; next on October 26)

- First Draft, a radio show for writers, available on Spotify and Bro Radio.