A POETRY collection inspired by local landscapes will be launched at a special lunchtime event at Ledbury’s Barrett Browning Institute tomorrow (Saturday, October 23).

Soil by Catherine Swire is an exploration in poetry and prose of eight locations around the Worcestershire - Herefordshire border, conceived as a series of walks and illustrated by the Russian artist Marina Kolchanova. It is her debut collection, and is published this autumn by The Artel Press.

Catherine’s poetry also holds a deeper purpose, seeking to understand absence and the effects of trauma through careful reading of the landscape.

The author will be at the home of the Ledbury Poetry Festival on The Homend for a selection of readings plus contributions from artists and friends and discussion with Liverpool-based Artel Press.

Catherine, whose family comes from Scotland, grew up in Worcestershire and now lives on the Malvern Hills. After studying English at Oxford she went on to an international career in communication, writing and teaching. Her writing continues to explore the relationship between peoples, landscape and history.

Admission to the event from 1-2pm is free and refreshments will be available. Signed copies of Soil and other Artel titles will be on offer.