At the twentieth anniversary party, 13 November 2011, the Shore Poets’ Honorary President Stewart Conn proposed a toast:
SHORE POETS
20th ANNIVERSARY/A TOAST TO THE FUTURE
As Cole Porter put it, What a swell party it’s been… a piping-hot pot-pourri tracing Shore Poets’ progress, and ports of call, in a rich blend of poetry and music, reminiscence and anecdote… spiced
by Ken’s compilations … graced by Angus Peter … and flavoured by touching reminders of Gael … and of Mark and the award generously established in his name. Not to mention the legendary lemon-cake. All amply justifying Donny O’Rourke’s claim, “Shore Poets are often copied, never equalled”. In ice-cream
parlance, “Often licked, but never beaten”: fit comment on their dedication, achievements – and survival instinct – over two decades.
Underlying their activities is of course a love of poetry: look no further than this evening’s programme, its planning typically thorough and democratic: virtues embodied in no-one more than the Shetland lass whose roles range self-effacingly from cajoler and co-ordinator extraordinaire… to round-the-clock taxi-service. and fairy-godmother. Christine in company with Brian – energetic co-founder and kindler of the flame – and Ian, now benign father-of-the-house … along with Hugh… Nancy and Angela … MC Jim C, Alison, Diana… and all who have carried the torch merit a hearty round of applause.
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The new CD bears tangible witness to the diversity of Shore Poets’ talents, musical and poetical … the care and nail-biting behind it borne out by an e-mail dossier to put Leakipedia in the shade. Congratulations to those who worked towards and contributed to it. Especially the indispensable Peter, to whom it clearly proved not just a task to be carried out, sensitively and meticulously … but a labour
of love.
Besides the impact Shore Poets have had, individually, on the wider poetic scene, they are held in high esteem collectively for their comradeship, discernment, open-mindedness and generosity of spirit. The roll-call of those who have performed for them (and are billed for the forthcoming season) is a resounding one. And I’m far from the only person to have been encouraged and enthused – personally and professionally – by contact with, and durable friendships established through, members of the Group.
With all of which happily in mind, I invite you who have been entertained and sustained, heartened and
inspired by Shore Poets Past and Present … and who see in them a vibrant springboard to the Future … to be upstanding, and raise your glasses … to precisely that:
Shore Poets : their Future!
