Winchester Poetry Festival 2025
Hampshire Poet Presents: Ismael Mansoor, Simon Meats, Dr Kane Holborn
An exciting mix of sound, performance and language revealing the diversity of our current poetry scene. These three poets show how, for centuries, Polari, BSL and disabled voices have contributed to our English language and popular culture.
Unity101 FM competition winners will be announced at this event.
Damian Kelly-Basher (Hampshire Poet 2024–26) has performed around the UK, including The Royal Albert Hall, Edinburgh Fringe and WOMAD. He works across the county with arts organisations, councils, schools and community groups to encourage people to take part in reading, writing and performing poetry. Damian was also an NHS Community Nurse and is interested in wellbeing and sustainability.
Ismael Mansoor, a Deaf poet, began writing in 2010, driven by a passion for self-expression. In 2018, he started performing signed poetry. As the BDA’s BSL Poet Laureate (2024–2025), his work continues to redefine the power of expression.
Simon Meats wrote comedy pilots for the BBC, performed at Edinburgh Fringe and was a BBC North Playwright Finalist. He’s currently researching a book on post-1960s comedy/ drama. “He should be ashamed of himself,” – Barry Took (co-creator of Round the Horne).
Dr. Kane Holborn explores ideas surrounding ekphrasis in his research, and blends visual art with written poetry to explore his experiences with memory loss, art, space and disability. Kane’s work has appeared in The Lost Art of Staring into Fires and Votext Magazine.
Suitable for: all
Duration: 1 hour
Format: in person event. Poetry readings and conversation
Access: wheelchair accessible venue throughout, relaxed performance
