|  |  | The 
              festival came about in 1997 after John Burns had the idea that a 
              poetry festival in Ledbury would be a good idea, and it is now one 
              of the best poetry festivals in the country. Launching 
              the 2003 festival will be Carol Ann Duffy. The 
              festival is the biggest and best in the country, 78 performers are 
              taking part over ten days and the event pulls in an audience of 
              1500. The 
              festival's Poet in Residence is Jo Shapcott. Born in London in 1958, 
              she studied at Trinity College, Dublin, St Hilda's College, Oxford, 
              Harvard University and the University of Bristol. Ledbury’s 
              poetic associations are many and various - WH Auden taught in Colwall 
              and was married in Ledbury.  Elizabeth 
              Barrett-Browning – who was born nearby and has a splendid memorial 
              building (now the library) in the town centre (opened by Rider Haggard). 
              And 
              Robert Frost who rented a cottage near Edward Thomas’s. The 
              festival runs from Thursday 4th July - Sunday 13th July. So why 
              not go along and sample the unique atmosphere for yourself? |