Think you’re not a poet? Think again! This fun experience will have you responding to the environment. You’ll be amazed at what you produce!
At the event, you’ll be coached by the developer of a new technique adapted from French poetry. No experience is necessary.
Secure your free place on our Metro Poem Travelling Experience! Places are limited to 20.
A Penistone Arts Week event, hosted by Penistone Line Partnership, and led by Dr Garance Maréchal, University of Liverpool.
We will meet at the St John’s Centre, Penistone, S36 6AR, at 9.30 am, Thursday 26th March, where Garance will explain what’s involved. You will be provided with all you need to take part.
We will then walk on the Trans Pennine Trail for approx 5-minutes to Penistone Station, where we will catch the train to Huddersfield.
Your booking includes complimentary return travel.
The Penistone Line is rich with scenic landmarks such as Castle Hill/ Victoria Tower and Emley Moor Mast. The train will travel over 4 viaducts – Penistone, Denby Dale, Lockwood, and Longroyd Railway Viaduct (Paddock).
Arrive Huddersfield 10.51 am.
Here’s a brief insight into what’s involved –
The rules for composing a train (metro) poem.
Composing: A line is composed mentally during the journey between two consecutive stations. We will allow a few cheats! As an icebreaker, participants will be allowed to write a few lines before boarding the train at Penistone. Also, single-word prompts will be allowed during travel (this will help participants to retain ideas due to the distance between Penistone and Denby Dale stations, which is a 7-minute duration).
Writing: The composed line is transcribed in the workbooks provided, but only when the train stops at the second station (during stationary dwell time). You mustn’t write while the train is moving or compose while it is stopped.
Number of lines: The total number of verses equals the number of stations in the trip, minus one. (9 stations, 8 verses)
Final line: The final line of the poem is written on the platform of the destination station. (Or in our case, the train, if we are allowed to stay on it for 20 mins while stationary with engine off at Huddersfield).
Everyone reads their poem aloud (preferably standing – to feel with the whole body).
You will have 2 goes at this!
Return trip from Huddersfield to Penistone repeats the process.
We will arrive back in Penistone at 11.43 am, and walk back on the Trans Pennine Trail to the St John’s Centre, where we will have a discussion, refreshments, and a light lunch (included in the booking). Please email info@penline.co.uk if you require any vegan or gluten-free buffet options.
The event ends at 1.00 pm.
We would love your feedback and ideas for taking the project further and perhaps creating a permanent piece of artwork for Penistone Station.
We look forward to seeing what you create!
Any further information required, or questions about accessibility, please email info@penline.co.uk
For more information including contact details for Penistone Line Partnerships please visit their directory listing –
