News

Garden Bard takes a bow

The National Botanic Garden of Wales has announced the appointment of its first evet Poet in Residence.

Mab Jones, who recently represented Wales at a cultural festival in Japan, will be resident bard at the Garden from this weekend (April 21-22). This coincides with Shakespeare’s 200th birthday on the 23rd, and Mab will be offering readings and workshops over the weekend inspired by the great writer.

Mab said: “I am delighted to be chosen as the Garden’s first ever Poet in Residence. It is a beautiful, breathtaking place, and I am hoping I can take inspiration from the amazing plants, fantastic flowers, interesting people, and diverse mix of visitors to the Garden to create my first poetry collection.”

The Garden first became aware of Mab Jones when she wrote a poem praising the biggest bud in Wales, which bloomed last year in Lord Foster’s stunning Great Glasshouse. This is the largest single-span glasshouse in the world, and it houses the best Mediterranean collection in the northern hemisphere.

The site also boasts a bee garden, Japanese garden, bog garden, National Nature Reserve, Tropical House and, at just 12 years old, is fast becoming the much-talked about jewel in the crown of UK gardens.

David Hardy of the National Botanic Garden said: “There has long been a link between poetry and nature, resulting in some of the greatest verse ever written. As an award-winning performance poet, Mab will also be using her charm and wit to engage with visitors, and encourage a love both of nature and of poetry. We are happy to give her a home in which to do that.”

The residency will take place over the course of a year and will, it is hoped, become an annual position.

You can follow Mab’s Garden adventures on her blog www.mabjones.blogspot.com and can keep an eye on the Garden website www.gardenofwales.org.uk for details of upcoming readings and events.