Poet special guest at Lagan Navigation event

Jo will be the special guest on September 4 at the ‘Listen to the Lagan’ event taking place at the Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.

Supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the evening will celebrate the history and people of the Lagan Navigation in poetry and song featuring musicians and speakers. Jo Bell will read a specially commissioned poem about the waterways and its history.

Damian Smyth, Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council, said, “We are extremely pleased that the UK’s first ever Canal Laureate, Jo Bell, will be joining us on this significant occasion as we build up towards National Poetry Day on October 3.”

Jo is a poet, archaeologist and boat-dweller, working all over the UK on poetry projects large and small.

Speaking about her role as Canal Laureate, she said, “Good poetry is about noticing. I want people who already know the canals to notice how lucky we are to have them.

“For people who haven’t really noticed them yet, I want to show them the still green space on their doorstep, full of wildlife and histories.”

The Listen to the Lagan event is part of a wider programme of interesting and colourful events to celebrate the 250th Anniversary including a sponsored tow path walk, a bbq party at the locks, exhibitions, talks and tours, boat trips and a boat rally through the only restored and navigable lock on the current navigation. Erskine Holmes, Chairman of Lagan Canal Trust, said, ‘We are inviting everyone to join with us in looking back at the rich heritage of the waterway; its industrial past; people and environment.

“During the events running throughout September, stories from the waterway will be told through poetry and music; captured in exhibitions.”

Alderman Allan Ewart added, ‘Lisburn City Council is very pleased to be a part of the celebration events taking place in September.

“Along with our other partners in Lagan Canal Trust, we have worked to develop some new and unique events that we hope will attract lots of local people and visitors alike.”

The first event to mark the celebrations takes place on 31st August.

For details on all events planned around the 250th anniversary visit www.lagancanaltrust.org