An evening with an energetic, fiery and passionate award-winning poet

Ben Mellor with guest Byron Vincent Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Bideford Saturday, March 27, 7.30pm

HERE'S a chance to spend an evening in the company of an energetic, fiery, funny, passionate poet, who will be showcasing his new work, inspired by the North Devon landscape.

Ben Mellor (right) is an award-winning slam poet, writer, musician and actor from Manchester, who has performed his work at theatres, festivals and schools nationally and internationally and was the winner of BBC Radio 4's Poetry Slam 2009 competition.

Ben is one of a new breed of artists versed in the underground tradition from bebop to beatnik, from counterculture to protest song, from happenings to hip-hop and who really do want to change the world.

Since 2006 he has become passionately involved in issues of climate change and globalisation, and it is this interest that makes Ben's visit to North Devon extra special. He will be looking at the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, a 3,300sq km area which has been given special protection by the United Nations and was the first of only two such reserves in the UK.

After meeting and working with local agencies involved in the biosphere reserve Ben will create new material, including poetry and film, which will be premiered at the Burton Gallery.

His support, Byron Vincent, is now one of the UK's most accomplished contemporary live poets.

The show is suitable for family audiences and children aged 12 or above.

Tickets: £9 (adults), £6 (children) including a complimentary drink on arrival. Available online at www.beaford-arts.org.uk or phone 01805 603201.

Visit www.myspace.com/benmellor. www.myspace.com/byron_vincent. www.north devonbiospherereserve.org.uk.