In the pilot project, which aims to shape the charity’s ambitions for a national project from 2026 to 2028, The Poetry Takeaway and its team of poetry chefs will visit three different English Heritage sites over the next three months. Starting at Temple Church in Bristol on 25 April, The Poetry Takeaway will then head to Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire on 1 June and Hylton Castle in Sunderland on 28 June.
At each of the sites, the poet chefs will explore, through conversation, what is important to people in their day-to-day life - from food and family gatherings to the local high street, sporting events, festivals, and everything else in between. Based on this conversation, the poets then craft unique poems, served up as a personal memento of their shared story and experience.
Ruth Haycock, Interpretation Curator at English Heritage, said “Together with The Poetry Takeaway, the project aims to create a contemporary heritage portrait of England, expressed through poetry. We want to connect people, communities and children in primary schools local to our sites, to explore everyday heritage and why it’s important to people today.
“‘A Heritage Portrait of England’ was inspired by the work of influential photographers – Tony-Rae Jones, who travelled around England between 1966-68 in a VW camper van, capturing the customs, traditions and eccentricities of the British people, Daniel Meadows ‘The Free Photographic Omnibus’ and Simon Roberts ‘We English’.”
Michael Bolger, Head Chef at The Poetry Takeaway added, “This collaboration with English Heritage is such an exciting project for The Poetry Takeaway. Individually, our poets’ bespoke, handwritten verses will give an intimate insight into one person’s connection to their community and place, but collectively their work will build a fascinating snapshot of England today. We cannot wait to get started.”
A Heritage Portrait of England will be visiting Temple Church on Friday 25 April as part of the 2025 Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival. Bringing together local, national and international poets and speakers, the Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival celebrates Bristol as a centre of world class poetry. It showcases poetry in the widest range of forms, including readings and lectures, slam competitions, film screenings, walking tours, open mics and more, connecting communities and making poetry accessible to all.
For more information on ‘A Heritage Portrait of England’, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/inspiring-voices