We are now in the ‘delay’ phase of the Government’s coronavirus strategy. The situation has worsened quickly in the last week, and is expected to continue to worsen considerably over the coming weeks. Many of our members, including most of Committee, are in the most ‘at risk’ categories discussed by the Prime Minister yesterday. In view of this and to safeguard all members, the decision has been taken to postpone our AGM, originally planned for 18 April in central London, until further notice.

We have considered the possibility of holding a virtual AGM, but this would exclude some members who we know do not have access to the internet. No motions or nominations for election were notified in advance of the AGM.

Our Constitution makes provision for unexpected matters such as this to be dealt with by Committee, pending discussion at the next General Meeting.

The Committee have also discussed and agreed the following interim measures:

• All Officers and Committee members will remain in their current roles until the AGM can be rearranged, at which point they will formally stand down and consider standing for re-election in the usual manner.
• A ‘virtual’ Committee meeting will be held monthly by email to review the situation and the AGM will be reconvened at the earliest opportunity.
• All other business of the Society will continue as normal.

Any other issues will be considered by the Committee as they arise, as part of usual business. If you have any queries or concerns about our approach, please direct them to one of the officers using the usual contact details (see OUP199 for details).

Thank you for your understanding at this time, and stay well.

Many thanks

Polly Stretton, Chair; Barbara Cumbers, Treasurer; Kimberley Pulling, Secretary; The Committee.

Check out Judi Moore’s review of ‘Jiggle Sac’ by OU Poet, Sue Spiers. Click here.

A bumper edition of the Society’s workshop magazine will be arriving this week . Edited by Kimberley Pulling, the magazine contains 124 poems from its members. This includes poems undertaken at the Society’s annual writing weekend with tutor, Hilary Hares. The Editor’s choices are: Jacob Lund’s “Us“, new member Rob Lowe’s “The Red Address Book” and Polly Stretton’s “Make-up Bag“. Congratulations to all three! You can read these poems on the Editor’s Choice page.

The Open University Freshers Fortnight is starting next week and the societies’ Facebook chat is on Wednesday 29 January. Why not use this opportunity to find out more about the Poetry Society of the Open University. Click here for the Facebook link. We look forward to talking to you!

Work is currently being undertaken on Openings 37, the 2020 edition of the Open University Poetry Society’s annual anthology. Sue Spiers, its current editor, writes about its production in The Hoot. Click here to read the article. Click here to read the article.

Sue was recently placed 3rd in the 2019 Battered Moon Poetry Competition with her poem, “Wheatfield with Cypresses”.

A belated congratulations to OU Poet, Judi Moore, whose poems came first and third in the inaugural Sturminster Newton 2019 poetry competition! Well done, Judi!

We’re delighted to announce that ‘Miscarried’ by OUPS member, Nigel Kent, has been nominated by Hedgehog Poetry Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize, the literary prize for the best poetry, short story or ‘literary whatnot’ published by small presses in the previous year. ‘Miscarried’ was published in his first collection, Saudade, in October 2019.