Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
The First Years were very impressed with her presentation and
she provided us with unique writing tips about creating an
effective piece of imaginative writing.
As a result of her visit several pupils in 1R e-mailed Caroline
to comment on her visit and to thank her for her time. To our
delight she responded to each pupil individually.
Sarah Stretton (1R)
A MANCUNIAN PREACHING ON HOME TURF
Mike Garry, a well known Northern poet came to school to
talk to pupils about his work and personal inspiration. The
pupils engaged in relaxed and enjoyable interaction with the
poet, whose intrinsic personality captivated students.
Mike Garry is a famous Mancunian who has been recognised
for his distinctive style internationally, receiving awards in the
States as well as his own city. During his talk he touched on
his past and his religious upbringing, referring to his strict Irish
mother who first forced him into the world of poetry.
Nowadays, it is hard to distance oneself from the commonly
circulated idea that poetry is old and uninteresting; however
Mike Garry’s enthralling visit certainly kindled a poetic spark
within the pupils. He involved pupils with a hands-on
approach, rather than a very formal atmosphere, and
appealed to them through his subtle (and yet not patronising)
wit and humour.
He expressed his message (that poetry is not a chore, and
should be embraced in a conventional manner) clearly in
varying tones, so as to add to the mood of his poetry, and tried
to make the whole aspect relate to our lives in a positive way.
However, the main objective of his poetry was fully achieved:
to show poetry in a new contemporary light and to prove that
students of any poetic ability can write poetry if they enjoy it
and that any person can freely express themselves in their
own personal style through verse.
Bethany Sanders (3W)
Jake Sanders (3W)
20 The Year’s News