Events Archive: 2017-2018 | 2015-2016 | 2013-2014 | 2011-2012
Forthcoming Events 2025
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January 16, 2025, doors 6.00 pm for 6.30 pm start
Needlewriters event upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AN
Clare is reading poetry, alongside Pratibha Castle and Jeremy Page.
Entry £5 (£3 students / unwaged and claiming benefits)
More info here
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Events 2024
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October 20, 2024, 11.00-12.00 am
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
Readings from Beyond the Gate and from End of Season / Fine di stagione with Franca Mancinelli
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October 19, 2024, 3.00-4.30 pm
Poetry on the Lake, Orta, Italy (exact venue to be announced later)
Readings from Beyond the Gate and from End of Season / Fine di stagione with Franca Mancinelli.
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September 15, 2024, 3.00-6.00 pm
The print room studio, Sweffling, Suffolk IP17 2BU
Poetry in Aldeburgh preview of the November 2024 festival, alongside Monica Petzal’s exhibition: ‘Indelible Marks: The Dresden Project’.
Readers: George Szirtes, Tamar Yoseloff, Paul Stephenson, Robert Stein, Jacqueline Saphra, Fiona Moore, Clare Best.
For more details of the print room: https://printroom.studio
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September 23-28, 2024
Clare is co-tutoring an Arvon residential writing week on poetry at The Hurst: ‘Landscape and the body’, with Pascale Petit and guest reader Jonathan Totman.
For more details and to book, click here.
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May 30, 2024, 7.00-9.00 pm
The Green Room, St Margaret’s Green, Ipswich IP4 2BS
Poetry readings from Clare, also Mary Allen, Sally Gardner, Sue Wallace-Shaddad
Free entry, but to reserve a table email suewallaceshaddad@gmail.com or call Sue on 07951 989357
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May 11, 2024, 6.00-8.00 pm
Open Eye Gallery, 19 Mann Island, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 1BP
Coast to Coast to Coast poetry reading organised by Maria Isakova-Bennett
Launch of Sarah Mnatzaganian’s Slow Movement, with readings from Clare’s End of Season (Coast to Coast to Coast, 2021) and her new collection Beyond the Gate (Worple Press, 2023)
There will be refreshments, and books for sale.
Entry free but please register here.
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April 5, 2024, from 6.45 pm
at Jane Beaumont’s private view, The Courtyard Gallery, Ballroom Arts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Clare is reading with Peter Carpenter.
Free entry. Wine and nibbles. All welcome!
Private view from 6.00 to 8.30 pm
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February 11, 2024, 8.00 pm
Buzz Words at The Exmouth Arms, 167 Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7LX
Clare is guest reader, reading from her new Worple Press collection Beyond the Gate.
Pay on the door: £5 (£3 unwaged)
December 20, 2023, doors 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
Fenspeak, at Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4AU
Clare is guest reader, reading from her new Worple Press collection Beyond the Gate.
Also, there is open mic – sign up on the night.
Free entry, cash bar.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, 6 Little East Street, Brighton.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, with guest reader Robert Hamberger, plus open mic.
Entry is free but best to reserve a place.
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November 26, 2023, at 3 pm
Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DT
First UK performance of the song cycle End of Season, words by Clare Best and music by Amy Crankshaw
Entry free, all welcome.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
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August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologis
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
First UK performance of the song cycle End of Season, words by Clare Best and music by Amy Crankshaw
26 Nov, 3 pm, Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DT
Entry free, all welcome
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologis
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
December 20, 2023, doors 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
Fenspeak, at Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4AU
Clare is guest reader, reading from her new Worple Press collection Beyond the Gate.
Also, there is open mic – sign up on the night.
Free entry, cash bar.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, 6 Little East Street, Brighton.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, with guest reader Robert Hamberger, plus open mic.
Entry is free but best to reserve a place.
________________________________________________________________________
November 26, 2023, at 3 pm
Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DT
First UK performance of the song cycle End of Season, words by Clare Best and music by Amy Crankshaw
Entry free, all welcome.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologis
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
First UK performance of the song cycle End of Season, words by Clare Best and music by Amy Crankshaw
26 Nov, 3 pm, Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DT
Entry free, all welcome
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologis
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
November 30, 2023, at 7 pm
Pighog at the Pipeline, Brighton. Details to follow.
Clare reads from Beyond the Gate, plus open mic.
Launch of Beyond the Gate
October 10, 2023, doors at 7 pm for readings at 7.30 pm
The Forum at St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY
London launch of Clare’s new full collection from Worple Press: Beyond the Gate
with guest readers Andrea Witzke Slot and Peter Carpenter, and music from Freddie Willatt
October 7, 2023, 6-7 pm
Poems for Robin
BallroomArts, 152A High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Poetry from Michael Laskey, Clare Best and Patricia Debney, in memory of Robin Boyd who did so much for Poetry in Aldeburgh, and for poets.
Entry free, all welcome
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re going to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
June 15, 2023, at 6 pm
Informal launch at Clare’s home for her new collection Beyond the Gate.
Email me if you’re likely to be in East Suffolk and would like to come.
London launch of Beyond the Gate, details to follow soon.
Past Events 2019-2022
October 6, 2022, at 4.30 pm
Hotel Cannero, Cannero Riviera, Italy
World premiere of the song cycle End of Season – words by Clare Best set to music by Amy Crankshaw.
Free, all welcome.
September 28, 2022, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Upstairs at the Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex
Launch for the bilingual edition of Clare’s poetry pamphlet End of Season / Fine di stagione (Frogmore Press) alongside launch of The Frogmore Papers no. 100.
Free, all welcome.
June 3, 2022, at 3.30 pm
Turner Contemporary, Rendezvous, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG
Fourteen poets, including Clare, reading from issue 2 of ’14’ magazine (Vanguard Editions), organised by Margate Bookie
Tickets: £6 from Margate Bookie Festival
October 21, 2021, at 7 pm for 7.30 pm
Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT
Real-life, 3D poetry reading to raise funds for Friends of Woodbridge Library.
Clare will read with André Mangeot
Tickets £8 (students £4) – includes an interval drink
To reserve a place please call the Library on 01394 330855
July 1, 2, 5, 6 at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of TEXT, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Michael Bascom in 2021, here.
Free, all welcome.
May 28, June 1, 3, 7, at 7 pm
Live-streaming of fully staged production of The Apothecary, the chamber opera Clare wrote with Amy Crankshaw in 2020, here.
Free. All welcome.
January 31, 2021
Pindrop Press ‘Zoom’ event to launch Jonathan Totman’s ‘Night Shift’
Sunday, January 31, 7.30 pm.
There will be readings by Clare and by Sarah Mnatzaganian as well as by Jonathan Totman.
All are welcome and it’s free, but please remember to register in advance by emailing jonathan.totman@gmail.com who will send you a link.
December 2, 2020
‘Alternative Lessons and Carols’ – New Music Society, Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Clare reads three new poems as part of a programme of new music, words, film etc from a wide variety of Guildhall artists.
Watch here. From 8 pm.
November 29, 2020
The Poetry Place, West Wilts Radio
A 15-minute reading by Clare, with another 15-minute set from Robert Hamberger, and open mic. You can listen to the programme afterwards: here.
May 11, 2020 POSTPONED
Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Monday, May 11, 19.30.
Clare reads for ‘Loose Muse’ from Each Other.
Tickets £6 on the door.
Events archive 2019
Nov 28, 2019
Nightingale Room, Grand Central pub, Brighton
Thursday, Nov 28, doors 19.15 for readings at 20.00
Clare will take part in Pighog readings with Maria Jastrzebska, Hugh Dunkerley, Robert Hamberger.
FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
Nov 10, 2019
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Sunday, Nov 10, 14.30-15.30.
Clare will take part in the event ‘South Coast poets venture East’ with Grace Nichols and Maria Jastrzebska.
Tickets £8. Part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival weekend. Book here or call Snape Maltings Box Office on 01728 687110.
Oct 10, 2019
Upstairs at the John Harvey Tavern, Bear Yard, Cliffe High St, Lewes BN7 2AN.
Thursday, Oct 10, doors open 7pm, readings start 7.45pm.
Tickets £5 (£3 students, and the unwaged and claiming benefit) at the door on the night.
Clare reads from her new collection Each Other for Needlewriters, alongside Robert Hamberger and Martin Nathan.
Oct 2, 2019
Southend Poetry at Naval and Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1DU
Wednesday, Oct 2, 8pm
Clare reads from Each Other and earlier work, alongside André Mangeot.
September 25, 2019
The Nightingale Room, upstairs at Grand Central pub, 29-30 Surrey Street, Brighton BN1 3PA
Wednesday, Sept 25, at 7.30 pm
Double book launch, for Clare’s new collection Each Other and Robert Hamberger’s Blue Wallpaper – two new poetry collections from Waterloo Press. All welcome.
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August 23, 2019
The Victoria Institute, Frances Knight’s Studio, 10 Tarrant Street, Arundel, BN18 9DG
Friday, Aug 23, 19.00 for 19.30
Words from Clare, music from Mike Carey and Clare Nicholas, paintings by Frances Knight
August 11, 2019
The Words Pavilion at the Firle Vintage Fair, Firle Park, nr Lewes, Sussex BN8 6LP
Sunday, Aug 11, 11.30 am
Lunar Pleasures: readings about the moon, including a celebration of ‘Pale Fire – new writing on the moon’ (Frogmore Press 2019) with Alexandra Loske, Jeremy Page, Maria Jastrzebska, Neil Gower and Clare Best
Online tickets £11.00 from https://www.firlevintagefair.co.uk or tickets at the gate £15. Free parking.
May 4, 2019
The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, Wolfson College, Oxford
Saturday, May 4, from 10.00 until 17.15. FREE event. All welcome.
Clare will give a talk and run a workshop as part of an all-day event on ‘Lists in Creative Writing’, with Lulah Ellender, author of Elisabeth’s Lists, and the Mass Observation Project.
Events archive 2017-2018
Nov 29, 2018
Waterstones, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EQ
Thursday, Nov 29, 18.30.
‘Clear Lines’ panel event hosted by Tanaka Mhishi: Writing about Trauma, Recovery and Gender-based violence. Clare will talk about The Missing List.
“To recognise UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we will be hosting this special Clear Lines event, bringing together women authors whose work addresses issues of sexual violence and consent.”
Tickets £8 (£6) from Eventbrite
Nov 2, 2018
Peter Pears Gallery, Aldeburgh
Friday Nov 2, 2018, 19.00-20.00, part of the Poetry in Aldeburgh festival, 2-4 Nov.
‘Inlands and Outlands’ – Four poets walk poetry paths along the coasts and hinterlands of England. Kate Davis and Meryl Pugh read from first collections published by Penned in the Margins. Clare Best and Kay Syrad read poems from their recent poetry and painting collaborations.
Tickets £8, book here.
Oct 24, 2018
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DJ
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, 18.30-21.00
Joint launch of The Missing List with new books from Jeremy Page and Kay Syrad
Oct 17, 2018
Room 115, Jubilee Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018, 16.00-17.30, with drinks and book signing 17.30-18.30
Launch of The Missing List with Lyn Thomas and others talking about the Life Writing Projects website.
ALL WELCOME, DISABLED ACCESS, FREE EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK.
Full details here.
Sept 18, 2018
Gradidge Room, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT
Tuesday Sept 18, 2018, 18.00-20.00
Launch and celebration of The Missing List – a memoir
June 4, 2018
Saltmarsh Poetry, 3 Glebe Lane, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JQ
Monday June 4, 2018, 19.00-21.00. Poetry reading, hosted by Sally Festing.
May 30, 2018
St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hants SO1 9BH
Wednesday 30 May, 2018, 19.00-21.00
Illustrated talk and Q&A session with Clare Best and Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis: Collaborating on Springlines.
Cost: £10, call 01590 676969 to book.
April 19 – June 10, 2018
Springlines exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hants
Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
November 20, 2017
Conference at Brighton & Sussex Medical School: The Role of Narrative within Modern Medicine.
Illustrated presentation, 10.40-11.20 am – Telling the Story: a writer’s perspective on personal/medical decision-making
June 9 – Oct 14, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Springlines exhibition at Tunbridge Wells Museum. Paintings by Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and words by Clare Best, with new work made especially for this exhibition.
Free entry. Open Tues – Sat, 9.30 am – 5 pm
September 27, 2017
TORCH, 4 Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, as part of Hurstpierpoint Festival
Wednesday 27 Sept 2017, 7.30 pm: Clare reading with Sasha Dugdale and Stephanie Norgate
September 9, 2017
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 9 Sept 2017, 1.00 – 4.00 pm: writing workshop – Writing about place.
Cost: £35. To book call 01892 554171.
June 16, 2017
University of Sussex
Friday 16 June 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm: Life History and Life Writing Research post-graduate conference (Universities of Sussex and Brighton). Clare KEYNOTE with Lyn Thomas 4-5 pm: ‘The Uses of Photography and Self-portrait without Breasts’
June 10, 2017
Binsted Church, BN18 0LL
Saturday 10 June 2017, 7.30 pm: Binsted Arts Poetry Competition – adjudication and reading by Clare, plus reading by James Simpson. Free entry.
April 13, 2017
Church Hall, Bury Drive, Goring, BN12 4XB
Thursday 13 April 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm – Poetry workshop for the West Sussex Writers, on the theme of Writing Place. £5 for non-members
April 9, 2017
Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU
Sunday 9 April 2017, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – Landscape and Literature Day at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – launching Springlines. Others reading/speaking: Alexandra Harris, Sasha Dugdale, James Simpson. £25
Click here for more details and to book.
April 1, 2017
Westgate Chapel, Lewes
Saturday 1 April 2017, 7.00 pm – Voices Beyond Borders – poets and musicians raising funds for refugees.
March 15, 2017
Book & Kitchen, Notting Hill, London
Pighog/Red Hen readings, with Naomi Foyle and Vanessa Gebbie, plus America Hart, Katharine Coles, John Barr.
Events archive 2015 – 2016
April 21, 2016
University of Kent at Canterbury
Presentation and reading entitled ‘I am Book’ at an interdisciplinary symposium on ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’.
March 21, 2016
Arden Conference Centre, University of Warwick
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and showing some of Laura’s photographs, 6.00 – 6.30 pm, as part of the day symposium ‘The Ethics of Display: exhibiting vulnerable bodies’.
September 21, 2015
Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and presentation of Laura Stevens’ photographs. Plus Q&A.
July 8 – August 30, 2015
Glyndebourne Opera House
Exhibition of Springlines poems and paintings in the Stalls Gallery at Glyndebourne.
February 24, 2015
Nash Theatre, King’s College London
A talk about the ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ project and presenting poems from the cycle alongside Laura Stevens’ images. Q&A.
January 16, 2015
Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
Clare took part in a panel on Medical Humanities and Narrative with Donna McCormack and Nur Khan, at Drew University’s ‘Transatlantic Connections 2’ Conference.
Events archive 2013 – 2014
March 10 -16, 2014
Waterweek, Freedom Leisure Centre, Hailsham
Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis and Clare were delighted to take part in WATERWEEK with a talk about Springlines.
November 25, 2013
St George’s, University of London
Reading poems from ‘Self-portrait without Breasts’ and talking about the project, as part of an event in the series ‘The Art of Medicine’ at St George’s, University of London.
August 24, 2013
School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow
A presentation as part of ‘Attentive Writers’: Healthcare, Authorship, and Authority, at a conference hosted by the Medical Humanities Research Centre.
June 23, 2013
Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve
Festival of Water – first showing of some of the work for the Springlines project, in the Mettyear Room of the Linklater Pavilion, with Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.
Events archive 2011 – 2012
November 27, 2012
Queens Building LT1, Exeter University
Self-portrait without Breasts – aesthetics and surgical experience
Poems and photographs + panel discussion and audience q&a
October 10, 2012
Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto
A talk about the project, and readings of the poems, with Laura’s photos, was hosted by the MLC at Ryerson University in Toronto.
October 4, 2012
Blum Resource Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA, USA
Readings of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts and discussion.
October 4, 2011
Chowen Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex
The first performance of poems from Self-portrait without Breasts, alongside Laura Stevens’ photos. Generously hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School. After the poems, there was a q&a session led by Dr James Mackay, a Consultant Clinical Genetic Oncologist.
Clare Best 