FOR most people, train journeys conjure up memories of delays, cramped seats and soggy sandwiches. Live poetry doesn't usually come into the equation.
On October 26, however, lyrical verse will be coming to the 11.02 from Leeds to Mytholmroyd as part of the Ted Hughes Festival.
The event is being organised by the Elmet Trust which has invited people to join the poetry train to Hughes's home town
. The train has not been specially chartered, so anyone can join the poets on their journey – for the price of a ticket.
There will also be a literary lunch at the Dusty Miller, an inn around the corner from Hughes's birthplace in Aspinall Street, Mytholmroyd.
Poets John Siddique and Amanda Dalton will be giving readings and discussing their own work while the train is travelling to the town.
Mr Siddique says he isn't worried about giving a reading on public transport as he has past experience.
He said: "I've done a reading on a tram in Blackpool before. As long as people know it's a poet giving a reading, it's fine.
"If it's just guerrilla poetry on public transport, it's another thing entirely. It becomes a bit like a busker or a beggar on the Tube," he added.
The festival starts on October 22 and will include a memorial lecture by Poet Laureate Andrew Motion. Details of all the events taking place during the festival can be found at www.theelmettrust.com
