If you Google 'Gloucester Poetry' or 'Gloucestershire Poetry', The Gloucestershire Poetry Society is there right at the top of the first page of Google.

Not bad work at all for a society run by a handful of volunteers :o)

This is one, of many, reasons why I LOVE the local poetry scene, which is filled with great local talent and passionate advocates of poetry and spoken word in the city and the county.

My point in this article is that when people have a passion they can achieve anything, with limited resources and a big heart.

Thank you to all of the local poetry groups and events that are paving the way and making waves to make Gloucestershire a go-to destination for poets and spoken word artists across the country. Thanks to Ziggy Slūg the founder of the Society, The Gloucester Poetry Festival and Gloucestershire Poet Laureate, Anna Saunders of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival, Gary D Poetry of Piranha Poetry, Steve & Dave of Food for thoughts, Josephine Lay and Peter Lay of Squawkers, Sharon Larkin of Poetry Cafe Refreshed, Sarah Snell-Pym and Tanya Feasey of Poetry at Waterstones Gloucester and all of the other poetry groups and events across the county, of which there are many and all doing there bit in spreading their love for poetry.

The society has created an all-inclusive space for poetry of all levels, backgrounds and cultures to share their work and to grow as writers and performers. The local poetry community is filled with friendship and support and because of this I have gained many new friends and that is a blessing!

As you can probably tell, poetry is a passion for me and I feel very privileged indeed, to be a part of it.

Visit the societies website to learn more www.thegloucestershirepoetrysociety.co.uk.

This article was written by Jason Conway, an award-winning creative professional, artist, writer and poet based in Stroud, Gloucestershire UK. You can find out more about his business at www.thedaydreamacademy.com or connect with him on social media.