Putney’s creative community is getting a fresh dose of verse tonight with the launch of a brand-new poetry night — dreamed up, designed and delivered by local resident Becx. The event, which takes place in the atmospheric wood-panelled hall at Putney Library on Thursday 19 January, is already close to selling out, with only a handful of tickets left.
Becx, a former publishing professional turned virtual assistant and creative entrepreneur, was inspired to bring poetry closer to home after spending years attending spoken word nights across London — from the Richmond bookshop Books on the Rise to events hosted by Lost Souls Poetry in Balham and Clapham.
“I’ve just really enjoyed the variety at these events,” she said. “Some are gritty and dark, others light and funny — but they’re always moving. I thought, why not bring that to Putney?”
Tonight’s line-up includes up to 24 performers, each given five minutes on the mic. Over 17 performers are already confirmed, ranging from poetry veterans to first-time readers — many from Becx’s own neurodivergent friendship group. The tone of the night is expected to be relaxed and welcoming, with Becx herself timing each set to keep the flow going.
The inspiration
The idea for the night first took root when Becx attended a workshop by gender-fluid poet Alice de Lumière at Putney Library — a venue she quickly realised was perfect. “Katie, the library manager, has been brilliant,” she said. “It’s a lovely space and deserves to be used more by the community.”
Alongside planning the event, Becx has been busy crafting a distinct identity on Instagram — mixing quirky seagull cartoons, river-themed references and lighthearted poetry-related posts. “Putney has seagulls because of the river — it just made sense!” she laughs. Her account @poetsinputney now serves as the main hub for event updates, inspiration and community engagement.
Tonight’s debut has almost covered its costs through ticket sales, which include a mix of performer and audience options. Drinks will also be on sale to help fund the next event — which Becx hopes to hold in a couple of months, giving herself time to catch her breath.
“It’s a bit of an ADHD side-step,” she jokes, “but it’s something I love. Now that the page is set up and the momentum is there, I’d like to build it slowly — and hopefully make each one even better.”
There are only a few tickets remaining at time of writing. To book or find out more, check out our listing for the event.
