Sally Richards Releases New Poetry Collection Celebrating Shropshire

The collection features poems inspired by various local sites, including The Wrekin, The Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge, Caer Caradoc, and the River Severn in Shrewsbury. Richards captures the beauty of the region, from the blossoms of Easter in Clun to tranquil woodland vistas.

Born and raised in Hopesay, South Shropshire, Sally now resides on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. Her poetry reflects her deep affection for the area while also addressing a wide spectrum of personal experiences, emotions, and themes. She notes that her writing is often prompted by moments of profound inspiration.

Sally has a long-standing dedication to poetry, having published several collections and participated in local literary events. Her previous collection, *Emperor Dragonfly*, was highlighted in *My Shrewsbury* in 2023. With *Ballad of a Shropshire Lass*, she embarks on another exciting phase of her poetic journey.

In addition to her writing, Sally previously operated her own complementary and holistic therapy practice. However, her life took a significant turn after being diagnosed with a rare soft tissue sarcoma in her right leg in 2015. She underwent limb-sparing surgery at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and returned to work four months post-surgery. Unfortunately, the cancer recurred in 2017, leading to an above-knee amputation at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

Following rehabilitation and adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg, Sally embraced her family life, raising two daughters and caring for her grandson, as well as their four dogs, who are featured in her new collection. Despite stepping back from public literary appearances for several years, Sally continued to write.

As she launches her new book, she is also working on an innovative collaboration with international opera tenor William Smith, co-founder of The Marches Songbook. In 2024, she was invited to submit poems for musical adaptation. Composer Michael D. Williams selected two of her works, which premiered in 2025 in Chester, performed by Smith and pianist Simon Bate. Following this, another six of her poems were set to music, with performances throughout North Shropshire. Plans are underway to feature all eight musical adaptations in a recital scheduled for 2027.

Through *Ballad of a Shropshire Lass*, Sally aims to share her appreciation for the natural beauty and landmarks of Shropshire with a wider audience. The collection is published by Caparison Books, headed by acclaimed poet and editor Alan Morrison, who has previously supported her work. Sally is also in the process of organizing a local book launch, details of which will be announced soon.

*Ballad of a Shropshire Lass* will be available starting October 21st, and readers interested in purchasing a copy can reach out via her website for more information.