A History of the Modern Whitman Walks by Stuart Murray.

The nineteenth century Bolton Whitmanites celebrated the poet's birthday each year on a Saturday near 31st May May. This tradition was revived in 1983 by a new generation of self-styled Whitmanites, inspired by Whitman’s focus on freedom and democracy, and has continued with an annual walk for the past 35 years. This presentation by Stuart Murray tells the story of these walks.
Free event

If anyone wants to buy a copy of this wonderful anthology based on Whitman themes please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. £5 per copy.

Whitman Special
Monthly meet-up for the local spoken word group picks up on the celebratory theme this month, with both Whit and wit. NW legends Jefferama and Gordon Zola lead the proceedings.
£1 admission plus raffle

(Dir. Jennifer Crandell 2017)
This brilliant documentary records ordinary Alabamians reading verses of Whitman’s Song of Myself in their homes, places of work, or at leisure.Read more

Celebrating the bicentenary of Whitman’s birth, this wonderful collection of new writing explores themes recurrent in Whitman’s poetry. You will be welcomed to the launch with a glass of grape-based refreshment (alcoholic or otherwise),

Creative writing in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. This month’s workshop is led this month by Whitman Scholar Kirsten Harris, Senior Teaching Fellow at Warwick University, who will explore aspects of Whitman’s life as stimulus to new writing.Read more

Climate Change and Global Stewardship. Environmentalist and UN Associate member Richard Shirres looks back at the lessons from history and then asks what can be done. Free

Creative writing in an informal and supportive setting.
This month’s workshop led by Paul. All welcome

Phil McNally is your question master for an evening of light hearted quizzing. Come down and give your brain a workout.
Free event

Pete (The Poet) Stevenson was so impressed with Bolton when he appeared at the Wigan Diggers curtain-raiser last year that he’s heading back up from Somerset to co-organise and host this event. Scheduled acts include Claire Mooney, Dave Puller, The Clarion Choir, Bard Company and Pete the Poet himself. Food will be available.
Free event              Donations to Stop the War