Tony Hillier is Swindon's Community Poet...here he explains all about it.

Q: What is your new role?

A: My new role is to build on the work I have already done to share the positive experiences of Community Poetry with more people in an even wider range of settings.

Q: What will you be doing?

A: Either adding a poetic ingredient to already planned events eg Festivals, Community Gatherings, Open Days or negotiating with an organisation to work with their members to create their own poems that commemorate the event.

Q: Why?

A: It's fun and moving for the participants. It often brings out surprises when people say they have not written a poem before and then Ole - there it is ! When they read it to their friends, and receive postive feedback and often a round of applause it is one of life's little treasures.

Q: How is it different from what you have been doing?

A: Over the last 5 years I have had a patchwork of one-off commissions but this pilot engagement will enable a more planned and sustained series of Community Poetry activities.

Q: How do you feel about this new opportunity?

A: I am very much looking forward to taking poetry down new pathways where Swindonians can have new artistic experiences and celebrate successes in a booklet. Ideas will also be developed about the shape of future Community Poetry.

Q: If anyone would like you to go to their group how can they get in touch?

A: Contact Tony Hillier on 07762 649390 or poemogram@hotmail.com website : www.tonyhillier.co.uk