Poetry Together
Exchanged at the Exchange
Poetry Together
by Gyles Brandreth
Dukes Education at the Exchange Theatre, Twickenham, 11th November
Preview by Heather Moulson, in conversation with Gyles Brandreth
On a wet Remembrance Day morning, we went to Twickenham’s Exchange Theatre not knowing what to expect. However, sitting in the Exchange’s vast auditorium, along with roughly four hundred schoolchildren, we were clued in immediately by the insightful poet Kate Wakeling in a fascinating poetry participation. Interacting within the audience’s age range of eight to eleven year-olds, we were drawn together and the generation barrier was broken down.
The basic concept of Poetry Together is to encourages younger and older communities to connect and recite poetry together . . . over tea and cake. The sharp edge of the project takes schools into care homes throughout the country.
It was a great privilege therefore to have the opportunity to speak to the founder himself, Gyles Brandreth. We immediately asked him about the origins of Poetry Together. Gyles, a very amiable poetry lover, told us he was inspired by the benefits for the old and young people that poetry brought. Being very aware of the decline in enjoyment in reading amongst children, they put this project together some then years ago.
Judging from the performance in the auditorium upstairs, this venture has paid off and benefited all. The concept is clearly working. Poetry Together reaches out nationally and goes on the road to make poetry live and in colour. Here is a beneficial experience that is also great way to join together the local community.
Brandreth then told of his simple concept, that is that all ages could learn a poem by heart, then gather together for tea and cake and sharing. This could be ideal for a care home, a church group or a charity. A way to re-embrace language and words and strengthen our community, it also is a great way to counteract the screen culture that has unwittingly overtaken all of us. He underlined the importance of poetry being performed, and breaking down barriers to it, in order to engage school children with poetry.
Himself a writer of poetry collections, including the wonderful Dancing by the Light of the Moon, Brandreth emphasised how vital it is to learn poetry old and new. I could not resist asking who his best influences were growing up. Great poets were mentioned such as Edward Lear, A.A. Milne and T.S. Elliot. The latter he had met as a child.
Gyles Brandreth hosts the performance sessions, along with engaging and interactive workshops, from poets Kate Wakeling and Rhiannon Oliver. Quite a feather in its cap, Poetry Together is graced with the strong support of Her Majesty Queen Camilla.
The project is run by Dukes Education, which is investing in the redevelopment of the local Kneller Hall School, which is opening in 2027 in the former Royal Military School of Music.
The day continued with performances, poetry sessions, workshops and activities (with the two-minute silence observed for Remembrance Day, again poignantly bringing together the generations).
The frenetic busy-ness of the day, with so many children totally absorbed, was proof enough that the concept of Poetry Together is working. It was a fascinating exchange at The Exchange.
Heather Moulson, November 2026
Photography courtesy of Dukes Education
There is much more insightful information at www.poetrytogether.com .
