Durham's Colpitts poetry readings celebrated in pictures

Colpitts Poetry has brought more than 400 poets to Durham to do readings, including Geraldine Monk in the 1980s

The history of a long-running poetry event is being celebrated with a photography display.

Colpitts Poetry was formed in the back room of the Colpitts Hotel in Durham in 1975.

Since then it has attracted more than 400 poets to do readings in pubs and venues around the city.

An exhibition showing the readings and pubs which hosted them between 1975 and 1989 is opening at the Gala Gallery in Millennium Place, Durham, on Monday.

Readings began in a backroom of the Colpitts Hotel in Durham

The 52 pictures were taken by the late David M James and show a variety of poets in the city.

The readings were started by poet Richard Caddel when he asked Colpitts Hotel owner Irene Spence for permission to do a reading in her back room.

Poets Andrew Motion and Michael O'Neill at the Big Jug pub

The events moved on from the hotel when a snooker table was installed in the reading room but kept the name of its original location.

For the past 25 years the poetry readings have been based at Alington House in North Bailey in the city.

American poet Thomas Meyer also did a reading in The Big Jug

Many of the photos in the exhibition also feature pubs in Durham City such as the Colpitts Hotel and the Big Jug.

Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council's cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "This fantastic exhibition chronicles the many people and places associated with Colpitts Poetry since it began almost half a century ago.

Gillian Clarke visited Durham in November 1984

"In addition to the poetry, there will be a fascinating look at the changing faces of pubs in County Durham featuring some local favourites."

Entry is free and the exhibition will run until 29 August.

David Harsent performed at Castle Chare Arts Centre