Green Places and Haunts - The Verb at Contains Strong Language

Ian McMillan is joined by an audience at the Belgrade Theatre as he explores Coventry's green places and the river that ghosts through the city with poets David Morley, John Bernard, Sujana Crawford and Olga Dermott-Bond. He is also joined by musicians from the City of Coventry Brass Band.

Poet David Morley unpacks the meaning of the River Sherbourne, which flows through and under Coventry. David is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Warwick and his latest collection is 'Fury' (Carcanet). He is also a freshwater ecologist and brings an ecologist's attention and ear for language to his Sherbourne poem.

John Bernard also explores the River Sherbourne with a poem called 'Revered River'. John is a spoken word artist and rapper – and a finalist on Radio 1 Extra and Asian Network’s ‘Words First’ programme. He explores the idea that he has become 'acquainted' with the river.

Sujana Crawford reads a poem called 'Marshland Whispers' - inspired by Brandon Marsh, a nature reserve and former quarry. She was commissioned to write the poem as part of Contains Strong Language's 'Green City' project. Sujana's work has featured in many anthologies; her plays have been staged at venues including the Birmingham Rep, and the Belgrade Theatre.

Poet Olga Dermott-Bond has been spending time with the City of Coventry Brass Band learning about their history, and experiencing rehearsals. She performs two poems with Stephen McDonald and Christopher Moore from the City of Coventry Brass Band - inspired by listening to the band warm up and by their performance of the hymn 'Nicaea'. Olga is a former Warwick Poet Laureate, and was one of the winners of the 2018 BBC Proms poetry competition. 'Apple, fallen' is her debut poetry pamphlet.