Rural festival brings poetry and music together
Plus satirising Faversham, third toilet visits Rochester, Kent author kickstarts new book, upcoming Kent events, and more
As festivals become increasingly corporate, a tiny event in Kent is carving its own path, focusing on both music and poetry. We’ve been talking to one of the organisers to learn more about what makes it so special. Further down, we chat to the man satirising Faversham, a third toilet visits Rochester, a Kent author kickstarts a new book, upcoming Kent events, and more.
Rural festival brings poetry and music together
It’s the kind of festival that doesn’t really feel like a festival, and that’s entirely the point. Words and Music at the Skep returns to Rolvenden Layne on 23 August, quietly offering something a little different in a Kentish barn, house, and gardens. Organised by Rob Pursey and Amelia Fletcher from the legendary indiepop bands Heavenly and Tender Trap, the event began as an experiment. “I love poetry and music equally,” Rob says, “and I thought it would be good to do a mini festival which brings poets and musicians together.” Several editions in, it’s grown a reputation for drawing in performers and visitors both local and from further afield.
Rob insists that combining music and poetry is not trying to force some awkward hybrid. “History has plenty of warnings about when you bring poetry and music together and it can go badly wrong,” Pursey admits. “But it’s not meant to be a fusion. It’s not like rock poetry fusion. It’s a musician, then a poet, then another musician. There are a few people who blur the boundaries, but I’m not trying to encourage experimental new sub-genres. You’re not being invited to watch people experimenting with a new sub-genre, which is never much fun.”
If anything, it’s that relaxed, unforced approach that’s seen Words and Music at the Skep become something of a hidden gem for performers and audiences alike. “It’s a bit more informal than the kind of events poets normally do,” Pursey says. “People do things like clap after a poem, which apparently doesn’t often happen at standard poetry readings. For musicians, I try to choose acts where the lyrics really matter, because they’re playing quieter than usual, so you’ve actually got a fighting chance of hearing the words.”
The result is a kind of literary intimacy that’s both gentle and, in its own way, quietly subversive. Audiences listen closely, but nobody is shushed for chatting in the garden or missing a set while enjoying a drink or a pizza topped with local ingredients. As Pursey puts it, it’s kind of like a festival, but without the downsides. It’s quite small, the toilets work, and you don’t have to walk very far. You’re not obliged to go on the grass, but you can wander around the garden if you want.
The Skep itself is central to the festival’s charm. A former barn now rigged up with a PA and basic stage lighting, it’s the sort of venue that wouldn’t exist if it had to pay its way, but which feels like a gift to the community. Pursey and Fletcher moved to Kent from London in part to care for relatives, ending up with a big house and a barn in the garden. The barn became an informal venue for music and film screenings, drawing in a local crowd eager for culture without the hassle of long drives or late trains. “There’s enough people around here who are really interested in unusual or non-mainstream things,” Pursey explains, “and we found it actually did work. We filled the barn on several occasions.”
Some of the highlights of past years have been genuinely special. American poet and trans activist Stephanie Burt gave “a pretty amazing set of three quite inspirational poems,” Pursey recalls, describing Burt’s appearance as important in terms of setting a tone for the inclusiveness of it. Indie legend Calvin Johnson (of Beat Happening) also played at close quarters in a setting more used to the quiet of the countryside than the thrum of American indiepop, and Elizabeth Morris from Allo Darlin’ played a stripped-back acoustic set that felt “pretty wonderful.”
For 2025, the festival returns on Saturday 23 August, opening its doors at 1.30pm and running through to the evening. The line-up this year includes poets Brian Bilston, Pete Green, Roger Huddle, Dan Culmer and Maggie Harris, with music from European Sun, White Town, Fay Hallam and Sassyhiya, plus special guests. The event runs across two small stages, one in the barn and one in the house. Children are well catered for, with a free workshop for ages five and up, ending in a garden performance that tends to charm even the most poetry-averse adults. Kids under twelve get in free with a grown-up. There’s even a ‘Poeoke’ at the end, inviting anyone brave enough to step up and read a favourite short poem as the sun goes down.
There is no social media frenzy, no branding, and nobody waving a corporate flag. Words and Music at the Skep is, unapologetically, a festival for people who like their culture intimate. It is not trying to be anything except itself. “There’s something better to be got if you can get people together to hear something performed live, maybe something you’ve never heard before.”
Words and Music at the Skep takes place on 23 August at Frensham Manor in Rolvenden Layne. Tickets cost £20 for adults and £11 for concessions, and can be bought here.
Satirising Faversham
The Spire is a satirical topical magazine all about Faversham and the surrounding areas. Created by Andy Capon, it started as a blog in 2019, which “seemed to land at the right time,” Andy tells me. Over time, it picked up a supportive audience who enjoyed its surreal account of life in the area. “It was a bit Private Eye, a bit Viz, a bit Monty Python.”
In February of 2019, Andy was diagnosed with cancer, and his boss told him to go home and rest and let the NHS take care of him. “I spent most of 2019 cooped up in the flat, bored to tears. I had the operation, but it got complicated. It returned later on in the year, just as I thought I was fit enough to go back to work.”
Andy released the first book of content in December of that year. “I remember saying to myself, if this book sells, if I make a profit from it, I should quit my job and go for it full time.” Six years later, he is still doing it. “We're about to release book number 15.” By now, several other writers are working with Andy on the project. “If anyone wants to send an article in, they're more than welcome. If it's any good, we use it.”
Andy recognises that getting others involved has taken the pressure off what has become a full-time endeavour for him. He could see that over time, his work had become formulaic and complacent. “They made me up my game,” he admits. For Andy, The Spire is about poking fun at everyone and everything. “We have a little poke at all the local political parties.” Andy highlights a recent story about the Green Party councillor, Rich Lehman, about how “his election hopes being hindered because he turned into a tree. That's the daftness we are talking about.”
“People are often looking for a political message in The Spire and “the truth is there isn't really one.” The central message of The Spire is that “we owe it to ourselves not to take ourselves too seriously.” Andy never intends for the articles to be personal or nasty, though he admits to wanting to give “the Tories the biggest kick in the balls, but I think they deserve it.”
The articles go out every Saturday morning across both Facebook and Instagram. “People can and do subscribe if they want to,” but because of the nature of The Spire,’ a lot of people tend to read it for free. “We could take it down and put it behind a paywall, but people would soon lose interest. It's faith-based.” They currently have enough subscribers and regular donors to keep going.
This is supplemented by their book sales. Andy runs a market stall on Fridays and Saturdays in Faversham, “where we sell the books and associated merchandise. T-shirts, mugs, badges, clothing, that sort of thing.” The Spire marks it’s sixth birthday this week, with no signs of slowing down.
Third toilet visits Rochester
Following the controversial UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the definition of ‘woman’ under the Equality Act, a series of public protests was organised in response to a ruling that left trans people with ‘nowhere to go.’
The Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggested trans people should “fight for their own third spaces.” TransActual UK, an organisation advocating for trans rights, responded by installing a single toilet outside the Supreme Court.
Following its appearance at Trans Pride Brighton, the ‘Trans Loo’ visited Rochester, where a queue of trans people and allies queued to use the toilet. “I was honestly amazed at how many folks gave up their time to come along and show support to Medway’s trans community,” said event organiser Shea Coffey.
The next milestone for the community will be the first Trans Pride Kent, which was set up following conversations with trans activists based in Kent. An inaugural Pride event to signpost and support trans and non-binary People will be held in March 2026.
Kent author focuses on butterflies
The Butterfly Family is a new all-ages book by Thomas Delahunt. He is trying to get it off the ground via Kickstarter and has just reached 50% of his target, so we spoke with him over Zoom to learn more about the book…
The book is based around the Butterfly Family poem that can be found on the wall of Canterbury Christchurch University, “which is an ode to my granddad,” says Thomas. “David Attlee was a celebrated thinker, and he helped me to see the world transcendentally. He helped me to understand, and this is a homage to him making me feel valued”.
The story is of a butterfly farmer who looks after fragile, beautiful butterflies. He takes them on a walk to a particular meadow with his granddaughter. “It's also helping children understand the change and loss of losing someone who's significant to them.” Caleb Simmons illustrates the book. “It's going to be very pasteled and unbelievably beautiful.” Thomas would visit Caleb at his studio, and “he would have me literally close my eyes and describe the feelings of the page. When I opened my eyes, it was drawn.”
The book has odes to a place that Thomas is now a part of, “which is the Enchanted Garden” in Dargate. “Home to the talking tree,” a physical tree that people can visit and sit under. Part of a working garden centre, with a sustainability focus to “create spaces of safety for fragile, beautiful butterflies.”
A school that Thomas visited to recite the poem has generated a butterfly dress, which Thomas is now going to place on one of the characters. “The butterfly girl is going to be wearing the dress that the children made”. Thomas is currently working with eight Kent schools as a poet in residence. “I'm going in and I'm working on creating sanctuaries for butterflies because the big butterfly fountain is coming and the big butterfly count may well show that we've had a discernible impact.”
Thomas is working with the support of Roland Brown of the Butterfly Conservation Team. “He comes into the schools with me and talks about the science of the butterfly.” Thomas is also being supported by the Rare Breed Centre in Ashford, and Sodexo, “who are producing the Seeds of Hope.” If any schools want to get involved, Thomas will travel because “ultimately it's about creating these little sanctuaries for butterflies and safety corridors.”
This is Thomas’ second book, following the successful release of ‘The Wandering Lamb,’ and he has plans for a third book, ‘Hunter Moon.’ “We don't need to talk about that today, but that's a really important kind of conversation we'll have in the future.” Thomas is working his PhD out through a child’s narrative, with a full animation being created, something else to discuss at a later date.
Thomas’ Kickstarter is live with a number of rewards available. You can support it here.
Upcoming Kent events
✈️ Until 31 Aug - Floatplane // Short Scion Floatplane displayed in a cathedral, with an exhibition and activities. Rochester Cathedral. Free.
🪕 8 - 16 Aug - Broadstairs Folk Week // 60th anniversary event featuring over 400 performances across more than 20 venues. Various ticket prices.
⛴️ Sat 9 Aug - Whitstable Harbour & Boat Festival // Festival celebrating connections with the sea. Whitstable Harbour. Free.
🎲 9 - 10 Aug - Canterbury Gaming Convention // Exhibitors, guests, traders, cosplay, and activities. University of Kent, Canterbury. Tickets from £25.
🎹 Thu 14 Aug - Squeeze // Legendary band play only Kent show of the year, supported by Badly Drawn Boy. Dreamland, Margate. Tickets from £50.
🏳️🌈 Sat 16 Aug - Medway Pride // Annual community LGBTQIA+ festival with live music, stalls, and fringe events. Rochester Castle Gardens. Tickets £10.
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