60th Anniversary Celebration of Morden Tower

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Morden Tower, a historic landmark in Newcastle that has been a pivotal venue in the poetry scene since the 1960s. Organized by Connie and Tom Pickard, the event will feature a gathering of poets and musicians paying tribute to its enduring legacy.

Morden Tower became a hub of poetry during the 1960s, hosting iconic figures such as Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and inspiring local poet Basil Bunting to write the acclaimed poem “Briggflatts.”

The lineup for the anniversary event includes performances by Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park, Kevin and Rosaleen Doonan of The Mighty Doonans, poetry readings from Cork’s Soundeye Festival collective, and open mic sessions.

Attendees can also look forward to a Q&A session with Tom Pickard and Alex Niven, showcasing unseen film footage of Allen Ginsberg and Ed Dorn discussing influential poets like Basil Bunting and Ezra Pound. Additionally, there will be a display of Morden Tower event posters.

Don’t miss out on this unique celebration of Morden Tower’s cultural history and impact on the poetry world. More information about the event can be found at [link to the article].