This year King’s Lynn Festival has been working with TOAST poetry to provide opportunities for all to find joy in poetry.

Lewis Buxton from TOAST, in collaboration with King’s Lynn Festival, has been visiting local schools to lead workshops over the last few weeks. Working with students, Lewis has been showing how poetry can be fun and exciting. Workshops have taken place in King’s Lynn Academy, Whitefriars Primary School and King Edward VII Academy.

"Lewis was fantastic and we loved the way he made poetry accessible for many of our students." English teacher, King’s Lynn Academy

“Over 300 pupils got to experience poetry in a way that they had never done so before and were left truly inspired, many were even keen to write some poetry the following day! The impact this has had on the pupils is immeasurable.” Literacy Lead, King Edward VII Academy

On Sunday 30 June as part of Festival TOO, Lewis Buxton and Daisy Henwood invited the public to challenge them to write a poem on whatever theme was suggested. Over 50 people received brand-new bespoke poems to take home with them.

“Amazing, touching, beautiful” Audience member

“Your words are sublime and an arrow to the heart. We will keep your poem forever!” Audience member

Following sell-out performances in Norwich, TOAST will also be hosting a night during King’s Lynn Festival on Thursday 18 July at Ferry Lane Social Club. This informal and relaxed evening of spoken word and live poetry promises a funny, emotional and entertaining night for all who come along. Hosted by Lewis Buxton it will feature Hannah Lowe, winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Sleeps Cousin, as featured on BBC Introducing and Wordplay’s Ones to Watch in 2023, and Kings Lynn’s own up and coming talent, Savannah Andrews. Audiences will be able to grab a drink at the bar and enjoy an informal and relaxed evening of poetry, but not as you know it!

Tickets are £10 (£5 for under 25’s) and can be booked oneline here or from the Corn Exchange box office on 01553 764864. Suitable for ages 14+