TWO Devizes poets who used lockdown to get their poetry on paper have just published their very different books.

Gail Foster spent her time putting together an anthology of poetry and prose she wrote between December, 2018 and May, 2020.

Her book Blossom - A Festival Of Verse is now for sale is now for sale at Devizes Books.

She has dedicated the book to Ulla Derrick, who died in a fire started deliberately in a stairwell at Waiblingen Way, Devizes, just before Christmas last year, and who is mentioned in one of the poems.

Gail said: “It’s fair to say that there is something to pretty much delight or annoy everyone in the book.

“Amongst the frivolous, bitchy, flirty, and left of centre political verses there are some very serious sonnets, villanelles, and poems about Devizes, including the mischievous string of limericks I wrote about Danny Kruger before he was elected as our new MP.”

Devizes poet and sculptor Mark Whelehan has also published his book Sailing with Ó Faoilleacháin. This 160-page paperback book contains more than 60 poems, most of which are also illustrated by the author.

He said: “In the foreward of book is a description of Devizes at the beginning of lockdown which which has proved popular with my writing mates in London.

“There is.also a tribute to Charles Elgin Alverson co writer with Terri Gillian of Monty Python Fame who was a mentor and guiding mind.

“He was.a novelist who co wrote screenplay of cult movie Jabberwocky. He critiqued my last two books for me but unfortunarely passed away earlier this year.”

Publishers Cepen Park Publishers said: “This book contains the latest poetry works by Mark Whelehan, illustrated in his own distinctive pointelle style.

“In Sailing with Ó Faoilleacháin, the well-known sculptor and poet of Irish descent continues on his wanderings across the Pewsey Vale in Wiltshire, but these days less and less beyond as this book demonstrates and recollects.

“All this with his big minder and chum Crookie the Irish Wolfdane, his faithful parrot and intellectual equal Dolly and a menagerie of other assorted beasts.” His book is also available from Devizes Books.