Sally Richards

Biography

Why I write poetry: influences, inspirations, journeys

I have loved nature for as long as I can remember; born, and growing up, surrounded by hills and trees in the beautiful hamlet of Hopesay, South Shropshire. Rural isolation enabled my imagination, and gentle sensitivity to nature’s energy, to thrive; the seeds of my creativity were sown.

My parents were different in both background and personality. Mum, born in Lancashire, was a bright, hard working lady with a great sense of humour and love of reading, animals and flowers. Dad– an intelligent, compassionate, man born in Godmanchester. During his career in the British army he earned commendations, including the Military Cross, through war-battled-bravery, and true dedication to his men. My first tribute to dad, who passed away when I was in my early twenties, was as part of a poem written for the launch of Through the Silent Grove, in 2008.

Writing, and expressing my creativity, has been an important part of my life since early school days. At the tender age of seven, a shy sensitive child, I was packed off to convent & boarding schools. These were very difficult years for various reasons. Reading, writing, and dance were in many ways a release from their harsh and oppressive regimes. This love of writing, especially poetry, has continued, later renewed and inspired by a spoken English course at college (Higher Cert. SE).

After school I was strongly ‘persuaded’ by my parents to work in the local bank – not really my scene having disliked Math’s at school - but I made the best of it and did surprisingly well. After six years I was desperate for a change to something more creative. I studied and qualified as a therapist at Radbrook College, Shrewsbury, gaining my IH&BC BSD with a view to working as a TV Special Effects and make-up artist. However family commitments became a stronger pull and I worked locally while my daughters were little.

My career path then led me into work with children; I had a natural affinity with little ones. I gained my Diploma and later my NVQ3 EYC&Ed. while working in various Early Years settings, including after school clubs, nurseries, and as Leader in several Pre-Schools, two of which I helped to establish on school sites

Although the countryside in Shropshire is inspirational, and central to much of my poetry, so too was a catalogue of loss, including that of my mum, to cancer when my daughters were very young (after caring for her at home with us for two years) and the sudden, tragic, passing of my closest friend five years later. The toll of pain eventually led to my health breaking down in 1999 and a diagnosis, in 2000, of M.E./CFS.

In 2003, following a gradual, determined, return to work in 2001, I completed a part-time counselling concepts course at Shrewsbury College, followed by the year -long course, gaining my Certificate in Counselling in 2004.

While on the course I began to write again supported and encouraged by Steve Mann, poet, who read some of my very early pieces of work. Reading and writing poetry became an integral, and at times cathartic, part of life. Life over the last ten years has been a continual journey for me - adapting, evolving and growing. Having been so ill, and losing those close to you, makes you re-evaluate everything.

Life becomes a different experience… when you have been in a dark place, you really do appreciate the light.

In 2006 I was still struggling along with my health …thank god I found Reiki, or perhaps it found me…as often seems to happen. This proved to be one of the best decisions of my life - I was so impressed with the positive effect on my health, spirituality, and life in general, that I began Reiki training. Once qualified, I set up my own Reiki practice and reached Master- Teacher level in summer 2008.

In 2006 I also applied for, and was accepted, on the Survivors’ Poetry, London, mentoring scheme 2006/7. Several of my poems had already been published in the SP journal: Poetry Express. The scheme links new poets with established poets. My mentor, Alan Morrison, a true and exceptional poet, was perfect for my personality and writing style. I’m so grateful to have had the privilege of his mentoring skills, guidance and expertise. The resultant collection: ‘Stained Glass’ was published in 2007, launched November 2007 in The Poetry Café, Covent Garden, London, where I read to the audience in the packed venue. It was definitely a ‘pinch myself’ moment.

My poetry has now been widely published including an article featuring my poem ‘Invisible’ in The Strix Varia ‘Poetspeak’ spring summer 07, and a poem in Orbis international literary journal, 2008. I have read my work on WCR radio (featured poet) and at various events and have two short stories published including ‘Drakes Hill’ in Monomyth (Atlantean publications).

In 2008 I began a residency with Country & Border Life magazine. I really enjoyed the challenge of writing commissioned poems each month throughout the year. Several of the poems appear in my recent collection: Through the Silent Grove, published in 2008, and launched December 2008, in Shrewsbury library. This New Age collection (as described by my mentor) was for me, an important, necessary, follow-up to Stained Glass. It reflects other aspects of my nature and is very much about my spirituality, love of nature and my connection to it. It also contains poetry inspired and written, over a two-year period, while I was training in Bardic studies.

This year, 2009, I have been appointed as a Poetry Champion for the Shrewsbury area by Shropshire County Library Service. This brand new scheme, launched in May, will be adopted by other Shropshire libraries from October. My role, to promote poetry, will involve various duties in the local libraries including writing a commissioned poem to link in with both the Charles Darwin celebrations, and Promotions of The Lost World, by Conan Doyle.
I have also created a small, informal, poetry group for local like-minded poets, which meets once a month (usually in my home). The aim of the group is to foster an appreciation of poetry in all its forms, to encourage and nurture un-published poets by supporting and accepting their individual voices, and to enjoy the freedom to read and discuss all aspects of poetry, including our own and related personal stories, in a relaxed and non-critical atmosphere. Occasional challenges are set for those who wish to participate. The group is also an enjoyable social evening.
Finally, in this busy year, I have also taken the challenging (due to many other commitments) but exciting step to study for a part time Foundation Degree in Complementary Therapies with Staffs, University. To further my interest in healing.