The much-loved and respected Stroud poet and teacher, Rick Vick, who died in December 2019, is to be celebrated at a poetry and spoken word event at The Crown and Sceptre on Horns Road in Stroud on Monday, April 17th, just five days after what would have been his birthday.
“Rick had been working with a publisher to release a small book focused more on prose than poetry but sadly became too ill to continue,” says his niece Fern Bywater. Following his death, two of his writing colleagues and friends offered to pick up the editing. Rick was such a supportive and generous teacher and friend – it’s no wonder that this act of generosity marked his last writing project.”
Steve Wheeler, one of the people who picked up the editing of Rick’s book, Ways of Seeing, when Rick could not continue, made sure that it was released, says: “Sadly lockdown meant the events we had planned to launch the book could not happen, but we hope to do these in the coming months.”
The night at the Crown and Sceptre is hosted by Adam Horovitz. “It’s a night of open mic, but we always have featured readers,” says Adam. “This time, Steve Wheeler and Jo Casling will be the featured readers, giving voice to Rick’s work. Rick was always very supportive of other writers, so it seems appropriate to make the first event celebrating his work one that is filled with other voices too.
“Anyone can come and read or speak their own work – you just need to sign up on the night – but of course, if you’d like to read something of Rick’s as well, that’d be grand!”
The night of poetry, spoken word and Rick Vick takes place at The Crown and Sceptre, Horns Road, Stroud on Monday, April 17th from 7.30pm, not far from where Rick lived for the last ten years of his life. Entry is free, and if you’d like to take part in the open mic, find Adam at the pub and sign up on the night.
