A Poetic City is a multi-partner, city-wide programme led by Bristol Cultural Development Partnership (BCDP) that will explore the legacy of the iconic literary figure of Thomas Chatterton who died in 1770. It will build on existing knowledge of Chatterton’s life and times; celebrate Bristol’s current vibrant and diverse poetry scene; and inspire poets of the future. Chatterton lived not far from the site of St Mary Redcliffe and was entranced with its medieval stories, gothic architecture and historical manuscripts. One of the features of the project will see writers in residence working at Royal West of England Academy, St Mary Redcliffe, Glenside Hospital Museum and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.



In partnership with BCDP, St Mary Redcliffe has appointed Rebecca Tantony to produce an original poem based on the life and work of Thomas Chatterton. Rebecca will be based in the Chatterton Room at St Mary Redcliffe during the first week of September running workshops, researching and creating a new piece of writing.

From Rebecca's website:

I am a writer and facilitator driven to understand the messy and wild human experience in greater depth. I am committed to exploring, peeling back layers, narratives, and behaviors, so to example and celebrate.

I’ve been commissioned by Radio 4, read my work on the BBC and my writing has been described as ‘mesmerising’ in the Guardian. I have performed in numerous venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History Museum and Southbank Centre, at music and literary festivals throughout the UK, and poetry readings have taken me to Turkey, Romania, America, Sweden and South Africa. I am the author of collections Talk You Round Till Dusk (Burning Eye, 2015), All the Journeys I Never Took (Burning Eye, 2017) and my latest book, Arts Council funded Singing My Mother’s Song ( Burning Eye, 2019). In 2016 I received an MA in creative writing and a distinction for my final manuscript. In 2017 I toured an Arts Council funded one-on-one immersive spoken word show, under the same title as my second collection. My work has been published in Magma, Oh Comely, Ink, Sweat and Tears and Mslexia.

I’m currently teaching the Performance Poetry module and Creative Writing to BA students at Bath Spa University. I have been writer in residence for various institutes and organisations, including First Story and Wits University, Johannesburg. I have taught workshops in schools as part of the secondary curriculum, and outside schools to those excluded from education, ex-offenders, refugee groups and the elderly. I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has a story that deserves to be heard.

“I’m very excited to create a new piece of writing inspired by Chatterton’s life, as well as the poetic meter and verse he used. And equally moved to be inside the grandeur and inspiration of St. Mary Redcliffe Church– pen in hand, heart in mouth.” Rebecca Tantony, Writer in Residence at St Mary Redcliffe



“St Mary Redcliffe is delighted to have appointed Rebecca Tantony as its Poetic City Writer in Residence. Rebecca is a hugely accomplished poet, performer and teacher who understands Bristol, its history and culture and has been involved in a great many creative projects in the city. We’re very much looking forward to working with her on this exciting project, which will help raise awareness of Thomas Chatterton’s work and encourage members of the community to get involved in reading and writing poetry. We also hope that Rebecca’s residency will offer inspiration to local people who wish to give voice to their own creativity.” Rhys Williams, St Mary Redcliffe