About Me

I am a Dorset-based poet. My work is grounded in the Wessex landscape and in its history. I am interested in how we are shaped by the landscapes in which we live and have lived. I often find myself writing about the landscapes of my childhood in Yemen and Libya as well as the chalk hills of Dorset and our wonderful Jurassic Coast. I have written poems exploring my mother’s dementia and the challenges and unexpected joys that brought us. Before my retirement from teaching I also wrote history and English textbooks for secondary age pupils. Poetry writing is much more fun.

My debut pamphlet, A Landscape With Birds, was published by Hedgehog Poetry in 2022. My second pamphlet, Transformation, will also be published by Hedgehog towards the end of 2023. The poems are a response to the work of the sculptor and artist, Dame Elisabeth Frink who lived and worked in Dorset for the last ten years of her life.

I also run workshops and will be offering courses based at the Dorset Museum in April 2023. These will use the artefacts in the museum galleries as their inspiration.

I enjoy performing my work to audiences. If you would like me to attend an event please contact me via bethbrooke@me.com