Because Come On –  The Totnes Fringe 2026 is Almost Here!

The Art of Schmoozing with the Newly Crowned Bard of Totnes…..

Totnes is like a bakery for words; you can smell poetry in your hair after a visit. It gets into the threads of your t-shirt. You’ll probably find a metaphor in your ‘Happy Apple’ shopping bag by the time you get home.

I schmooze. He schmoozes. We all schmooze.

(Trust me, it’s a highly undervalued life skill.)

I’m sitting outside Canteen at The Mansion with Geoff Petty, newly crowned Bard of Totnes. Geoff remarks that there’s something almost French about the place. I know exactly what he means. He’s cogitating, an Americano, cold oat milk in hand, while I’ve gone for an iced flat white, single shot, accompanied by a lemon drizzle cake. The cake, strictly for journalistic purposes, obviously.

We’re ready to talk poetry.

Now, if the word POETRY makes you instinctively edge towards the nearest exit, or if it brings back memories of an English teacher disappearing into a frenzy over Shakespeare and iambic pentameter, stay with me. Mine was a formidable harridan called Mrs Clump who seemed permanently attached to her handkerchief with an expression that suggested we were all letting literature down.

Then comes the glorious ORANGE invasion

Because something has happened.

Poetry has escaped.

Thank goodness.

It’s wandered out of the classroom and into cafés, pubs, festivals, bookshops and community halls. Across the country, spoken word has quietly become one of the most exciting things happening in the arts. People aren’t just reading poems anymore. They’re performing them, listening to them, laughing at them and occasionally finding themselves unexpectedly moved by them.

Totnes, of course, was never going to miss that boat ride.

Geoff co-runs Poets and Pints, a wonderfully welcoming monthly gathering at The Library Bar in The Barrel House alongside fellow poet Ione Harris, together they make this gig a real poetic throng with bells on.  Held on the second Monday of every month, it’s free and open to everyone, from poetry virgins (there’s a phrase I never imagined writing) to seasoned performers. Nobody asks for your poetry CV. They simply pull up another chair.

Then comes the glorious ORANGE invasion, the signature tune colour for the fringe.

The Totnes Fringe Festival 2026 is almost upon us, bringing around seventy shows into our little town. Theatre. Comedy. Music. Storytelling. Poetry. Blink and you’ll probably miss something wonderful happening in a telephone box, laundrette or castle!

As the newly crowned Bard of Totnes, Geoff Petty, is determined to give poetry an even louder voice. Throughout the Fringe he’ll be hosting two free poetry sessions each day in The Rotherfold, opposite The Bull Inn, from 2 pm to 3 pm and again from 5pm to 6pm on Saturday. 11th, and Sunday 12th July.   He simply put the word out to the poetry community, the spaces disappeared almost immediately.

Geoff will also be joining Adam Powell, Totnes’ Grand Bard, at The Mansion each morning from 11am until midday, sharing poems, conversations and poetic mirth.

The thing about Geoff is that he isn’t the sort of Bard who needs a trumpet fanfare. He’s quieter than that. He notices the ordinary things most of us hurry straight past. His poems remind us that everyday life is already extraordinary if we stop long enough to pay attention.

As for me, I’m delighted to be this year’s Poet in Residence for the Totnes Fringe Festival 2026.  Which means I’ll be splashing words across the town with a gloriously unruly gathering of poets. You’ll find us popping up in Kommûne, Dutch Flowers, Rosso Wine Bar, Ben’s Farm Shop and wherever else poetry fancies making itself at home.

We will be based at Totnes Museum from 10am until midday, Friday through Sunday. If you’ve always fancied having a poem whispered in your ear, come and find us. If you’ve secretly wanted to write one yourself, we’re hoping people will bring along old typewriters. Sit down. Tap out a few lines. Leave a poem behind. Take one away. Or simply watch the words arrive.

No experience necessary.

No poetry police.

Just curiosity.

So next weekend, if you spot a poet wandering through Totnes looking thoughtful, don’t cross the road.

Say hello.

Ask them their favourite word.

Better still, tell them yours.

Who knows? By the time you get home, you may well have poetry in your hair.