Event SW23: The Skylark and the City

Enjoy an inspirational mix of words and music on pastoral and urban themes by classical guitarist Linda Kelsall-Barnett and poet Barry Smith. Linda is the director of the West Sussex Guitar Orchestra and Barry is the director of the South Downs Poetry Festival, with two acclaimed poetry collections.

Linda and Barry frequently perform at South Downs Poetry Festival events, including Chichester Cathedral, Petworth House and Dimbola Museum, Freshwater. They will be exploring nature and contrasting urban themes with interweaving poetry and music.

Linda is a classical guitarist from Chichester and has given several solo recitals for the Festival of Chichester. She teaches guitar locally and is an active member of the West Sussex Guitar Club.

Barry’s poems have been recognised in national awards/competitions, including BBC Proms Poetry, Culture Matters Bread & Roses, Slipstream and Tongues & Grooves. He was nominated for the 2023 T.S. Eliot Prize for his latest book, which is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice stories.