A FOUNDER of a Sidmouth poetry reading group is launching a book of her poems next Friday.
A FOUNDER of a Sidmouth poetry reading group is launching a book of her poems next Friday.
Beryl Smyter, 69, of Primley Road, will sign copies of her book Caprice at Brophy's Coffee Shop, High Street, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Beryl began writing poems 15 years ago after her first husband Philip died.
She said: "I think it cheers people up if they feel down. I have lots of poems I have written; nothing clever, and sometimes we read out our own poems at Sidmouth Poetry Readers."
Her niece Theresa Pateman designed the book cover and drew many delightful illustrations for Caprice, which will cost �7.99.
Beryl covers many topics that affect her, including the seasons, her husband Les's cat Sammy, other animals, flowers and childhood memories.
"Some are about gardens I've been to and some are humorous. Many are for children," she said.
One poem is about her memories of being sent to Escot to live as a war evacuee.
Friend and author Jenny Fensom has helped Beryl publish the book and 100 copies will be published, with more if it is successful.
It is not the first time Beryl has seen her work in print. As well as placing single poems in a number of publications, she was published by Stockholms some years ago.
When she isn't writing herself, Beryl enjoys reading the poems of William Wordsworth and Pam Ayres.
She hopes to sell her book through Paragon Books and at Kennaway House the week after the launch.
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