National Poetry Day Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 10:06

Carol Taylor, Director of Operations at NIACE, said:

"NIACE is pleased to be able to promote and celebrate National Poetry Day. While developing skills is vital, and we have rightly given much attention to ensuring adults and children have the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century, we must not forget the place of reading and writing for pleasure."

"Many people are ‘closet' poets, their work only coming to light when they feel very safe. Many of us have a secret novel hidden away, or at least inside our heads. Anyone who has ever read to a child knows how important poetry is - for the rhymes which are the foundation of literacy and for the excitement of being able to join in. Anyone who has ever been stopped in their tracks by a new piece of poetry on the Tube in London, or by an old, half forgotten piece from their childhood knows the impact it can have."

"And anyone who has worked with adult learners knows that poetry is such a great way to engage those with poor literacy - its short and sharp; you can say things in a few words; and you can very quickly get to the heart of an issue."