Alan Bleakley: Poetry Reading in our Upstairs Galleries

3 - 5pm, New Craftsman Gallery, St Ives

A poetry reading by Professor Alan Bleakley to celebrate the publication of his 10th collection of poems, entitled The Cost of Living. The reading will be set in the context of his partner Susan Bleakley's paintings, showing in our upstairs gallery.

Alan writes:

"I grew up in Newquay but have been in the grip of West Penwith's beauty for much of my 77 years, especially as a longstanding surfer (since I was 15). I live with my partner Sue, a visual artist, on the cliff above Gwenver beach at the north end of Sennen, feasting on untold numbers of sunsets and chatterings of choughs. It is this granite-to-sand landscape, its weather-moods, and its indwelling animal species that inspire my poetry, now into a tenth collection. To put bread on the table, I am Emeritus Professor of Medical Education and Medical Humanities at Plymouth Peninsula Medical School. Hence my passion for academic writing: 20+ books. But it is poetry that fuels my academic work."