HOME OF FEN SPEAK AND THE FENLAND POET LAUREATE AWARDS 2012-2017
Fen Speak is Ely's long-running regular poetry, spoken word and storytelling open mic night where local writers come together to share their work in a friendly environment.
Who: all are welcome - poets, spoken word artists, non-fiction or fiction writers, or those just wanting to listen! The events include first time readers as well as regular contributors.
What: poetry, fiction, non-fiction - each reader gets a slot of around 3 minutes, depending on how busy the night is. It's free to attend, with donations taken to cover running costs. Just turn up and sign up, or email in advance to book your reading slot. There are also often special guest readers, such as local poets who have recently had new work published.
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Why: come to share your work, gain confidence in performing it, hear and meet other fantastic writers, and find out more about writing happening in the fens - the reasons to come are endless!
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Where: We mix online and in-person events. Online on Zoom, and in-person at our new venue: Centre E Community Hub, Barton Rd., Ely CB7 4DE (Map link)
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When: Online - 3rd WEDNESDAY of the month (Feb, April, July, Nov). In person - 3rd THURSDAY of the month (Jan, March, May, June, Sept, Oct, Dec) - - Please note: we take August off! See below for the latest dates. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start, and we usually finish around 9.30pm.
Events on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday 16th October 2025 with ALISON BINNEY
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Alison Binney is an English teacher who works both at The Netherhall School and on the PGCE English course at the University of Cambridge. Her poetry pamphlet, 'Other Women's Kitchens', won the Mslexia Pamphlet Competition in 2021, and her debut full collection, 'The Opposite of Swedish Death Cleaning', was published by Seren Books in April this year. She has recently featured on Radio 4's 'The Verb' and also on an episode of the Declutter Hub podcast, and in May 2026 she will be Writer in Residence at Gladstone's Library.
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Time: 7pm for a 7.30 start
Venue: Centre E Community Hub, Barton Rd., Ely CB7 4DE
FREE ENTRY – No tickets required. Just turn up!
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To stay in the loop about what's happening at Fen Speak, please sign up to the newsletter HERE.
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Alison Binney