As I sit down to write this, the echoes of Poetry on the Moor 2025 still linger in my mind, just a few days after the event unfolded on the windswept beauty of Baildon Moor. Held on Sunday, June 29th, from 12:30 to 3:00 PM, this 5th gathering marked a milestone, not just for me and my co-host and the event organiser, Nicky J Rae, but for everyone who has nurtured this unique celebration of words, nature, and community over the years. With the event now behind us, I find myself reflecting on its magic, its challenges, and the profound connections it fostered.


A Milestone on the Moor
Five years ago, Nicky and I dared to dream of bringing poetry to this rugged landscape, managed with such care by the Friends of Baildon Moor. What began as a humble idea has grown into a beloved tradition, drawing poets, performers, and listeners from near and far. This year, the milestone felt especially poignant. The air was thick with anticipation as we stood beneath the “Poetry on the Moor” banner, its vibrant colours fluttering against the moor’s ancient stones. The mild June weather, courtesy of an unusually temperate spell in West Yorkshire, as noted by the Met Office, blessed us with clear skies and a gentle breeze, making the outdoor setting all the more inviting.





A Chorus of Voices
The afternoon was a splendid chorus of talent and diversity. Big thanks go to Chris Grayston, Suhayl Mohammed, Elizabeth Radice, Keith Fenton, Tom Priestley, Paul Growcoot, Sarah Dixon, Trevor Wainwright, and Jamie Scrutton, whose performances wove together a rich array of styles and stories. Their voices echoed across the moor, reflecting the multicultural threads that enrich Britain’s poetry scene today, a trend bolstered by cultural exchange. Each reading felt like a gift, a moment of shared humanity against the timeless backdrop of Baildon Moor, a place steeped in history, once a site for ancient rituals, now a stage for modern expression.



Nicky’s Vision, My Journey
None of this would have been possible without Nicky J Rae, the founder and my co-host, whose passion ignited this event all those years ago. As I watched her guide the afternoon with her trademark warmth and wit, I couldn’t help but think of her insightful reviews on my website, particularly her reflections on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in my book. Her ability to find beauty in the journey, whether on a Spanish trail or a Yorkshire moor, is a thread that binds us. Together, we “smashed it,” as I told her that day, and I’m so grateful she was by my side for this 5th chapter.


Nature as Our Co-Creator
Baildon Moor itself was a silent partner in this celebration. The rugged terrain, captured in the photo I shared of myself standing among its rocky outcrops, felt like a living archive of stories, some ancient, some newly penned. The event’s success aligns with a growing trend of outdoor cultural gatherings, a movement supported by the UK government’s 2025 funding initiative for rural arts, injecting over £270 million into community creativity. It’s heartening to see Baildon Moor join the ranks of places like Bodmin Moor, where the Poetry Festival has thrived since 2017, proving that our moors are more than landscapes, they’re canvases for the human spirit.






Gratitude and Looking Ahead
As I walked the moor that afternoon, book in hand (my latest release, available at the event), I felt a deep gratitude, to the performers, the volunteers, the Friends of Baildon Moor, and all who braved the hill for poetry. A special nod to the first aider and the portable toilet team; practicalities that made the day possible! The table of merchandise buzzed with energy, and I’m already dreaming of next year, perhaps with a volunteer photographer or videographer to capture the magic? Poetry on the Moor 2025 was more than an event; it was a reminder of what happens when words meet nature and community. As I nod to myself, smiling at the memory, I invite you to join us next time. Bring your passion, your poems, and let’s keep this tradition alive.


Until then, the moor waits, whispering its stories to the wind.




