The Drifted Stream is an anthology created over the last two years as a tribute to Charles Causley, edited by Aaron Kent and Nicola Nuttall and published by Broken Sleep Books. The National Poetry Library was a very appropriate place to launch this on 5^th November to mark the 21^st anniversary of the death of this nationally renowned poet who died in 2003. He was a poet of his time, of his place (Launceston in Cornwall) but is also a poet who continues to resonate through time. Friends with many creative artists in his day, whether poets, musicians or artists, he was also a very private person who valued his local community and his own space. Cyprus Well, his home in Launceston, is available for personal stays and if you spend time there, you are bound to feel inspired. You can sit or snooze in his study, admire portraits of him on the wall, imagine typing on his typewriter, enjoy the views across the small steeply terraced garden. There is a quality of deep silence which is conducive to writing (although you do not need to be a writer to stay there).

Several poets in the anthology have had residencies at Cyprus Well which led to them writing new poems: Rachel Piercey, David Devanny, Tommy Sissons for example. They read their own poems and poems by Causley during the evening. The anthology brings together those who have had a connection with Charles Causley and it is interesting to read what those connections have been. It is testament to the power of networking by the Trust over the last two decades. Poets featured in the anthology include Anthony V. Capildeo, Penelope Shuttle, Andrew Motion, Katrina Naomi, Aaron Kent, Roger McGough, Brian Patten, Rowan Williams to name just a few. I am honoured to have some poems included too.

His most famous poems ‘Eden Rock’ and ‘Timothy Winters’, ‘As I Went Down The Zig Zag’ were read at the launch. Causley’s use of rhyme, repetition, sound and his sensitivity were all on show. Natasha Walker, writer, historian and audio producer reminded everyone that they can hear Causley read his poems on the Poetry Archive website. She has also produced a series of podcasts which includes one about him.

The evening was full of people sharing memories of how they got to know Causley’s work, of the way they had been inspired, including as children. His life as a primary school teacher and desire to help young people develop creatively has become embedded in the Trust’s ethos. Workshops are run with schools, students are offered internships, creative writers are given opportunities for readings and blogging. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to be digital writer-in-residence over the last two years.

The Trust runs international poetry competitions for both children and adults. Two of the winners read their poems – Anastasia Taylor- Lind (first prize) and Ozge Gozturk (third prize). It was apt that we heard poems about war from Anastasia (Ukraine in this case), war being a subject that Causley also wrote about. You could have heard a pin drop in the room.  The Trust has run an arts and literature festival for a number of years, but 2025 sees the inaugural Launceston Poetry Festival bringing together poets from across the Atlantic to those living close to Launceston. Nicola Nuttall, Director of the Trust, was delighted to announce both the dates 30 May – 1 June, and a few of the poets who will be performing in Launceston. These include Andrew Motion, Pascale Petite, Ella Frears and Tommy Sissons (to name but a few).

Books were on sale, drinks on offer, conversation flowed. It felt a family occasion, people brought together by the power of Charles Causley’s poetry.  A huge thanks to everyone who presented, supported and attended the event, especially Lorraine Mariner (of the National Poetry Library) and Annie and Ashley Friedlein (generous sponsors of the event).

You can purchase your copy of the Drifted Stream following this link here to our online shop.