Poetry, Scouse & Solstice

Poetry, Scouse & Solstice takes place at The Reader Mansion House in Calderstones Park on Monday 21 December, the Winter Solstice. It's the shortest day of the year, and the whole evening is built around that: marking the turn of the year with poetry, reflection and warming food.

The night starts outside with a guided poetry walk through Calderstones Park at dusk, led by The Reader team. You'll be out in the park as the light fades, with readings to keep you company along the way. Once the walk is over, the group heads inside the Mansion House to settle in for the second half of the evening: a bowl of traditional Liverpool scouse and conversation.

It's a slow way to spend the solstice, moving from the cold air of the park into the warmth of the house, and from the readings on the walk to the food and talk inside. The scouse is the traditional Liverpool stew—meat and root vegetables—and it's served as a proper meal to eat while you chat with the other people there. The whole thing is held at The Reader, the public reading room in Calderstones Park, so it's all within the same grounds.

If you're looking for a way to mark the solstice that doesn't involve a party or a pub, this is a quiet, steady option. It's on Monday 21 December at The Reader Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool.