DARTMOOR poets ? including residents of Dartmoor Prison ? are to produce an anthology following the approval of a grant by the Tarka Country Millennium Award scheme.

A newly-formed group ? Moor Poets ? hopes to bring together writers and poets living in and near Dartmoor. Pat Fleming, who started the group, has received the award to help run writing workshops, public readings and to publish an anthology called Moor Poets ? Volume One.

All poetry writers are invited to join in the free workshops, which will be held during the Spring in various locations, led by experienced professional writers. They will last from 10am to 4pm each day.

The first workshop will be at Leusdon Hall on Saturday, April 12, led by Caroline Wilson.

The second will be in Peter Tavy Village Hall on Easter Monday and the third at Barefoot Barn in Chagford on Thursday, May 8, both led by Roselle Angwin.

Roselle, a local poet and author whose own work is firmly rooted in the moorland landscape, said Dartmoor was one of the last remaining wilderness areas in England.

?It has always been a wellspring of fine artistic talent. I know from the local writing groups I lead that this tradition, inspired by the moor, is still very much alive.?

Moor Poets founder Pat Fleming said the group was also working with Dartmoor Prison?s writer in residence, Ann Jolly, who was holding two workshops for the inmates. ?We will have the views of Dartmoor life from inside the prison as well as outside. They are the forgotten inhabitants,? she said.

Contributions of recent original work are invited ? regardless of attendance at a workshop ? which will be considered by a board of professional writers for inclusion in the anthology.

All participants in the workshops and all those whose poems are included in the book will receive a free copy when it is published in the summer.

Poems should be sent, typed if possible, with name, contact details and date of writing. For information on where to send the recent and unpublished poems or to participate in workshops, conatct Pat Fleming on 01364 631233 or email [email protected]">[email protected]. The deadline is Saturday, May 10.