About us
Colpitts Poetry, which takes its name from the Colpitts pub in Durham where the readings began in 1975, has brought over three hundred quality poetry events to the city during the last thirty years. Founded by poets David Burnett and Richard Caddel, it has played host to poets from the UK, the USA, Europe and Australia, as well as a number of distinguished prose writers. The readings currently take place at Alington House Community Centre, North Bailey in Durham.
Colpitts is run by an evolving committee and funded by Arts Council North East. With no formal philosophy, the group aims to promote the true variety and richness of contemporary poetry, to encourage international contact and to appeal to a broad audience. Recent readers have included Paul Durcan, Anthony Joseph, Jen Hadfield Colette Bryce and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.
The current committee members are:
Michael Ayton - Co-ordinator
Jo Colley
Ian Horn
Simon James
Patty O'Boyle - Treasurer