Tongue And Talk - The Dialect Poets

The festival is a celebration of dialect speaking and writing - with participants from as far afield as Cornwall and Northumberland, Kent and Cumbria, gathering for a weekend of poetry, storytelling and song.

Catherine catches up with festival founder Sid Calderbank at a hotel on the seafront to discuss this unique meeting of dialect enthusiasts, and enjoys dialect performances from all over England. She talks to Rod Dimbleby, Chair of the Yorkshire Dialect Society, about Joseph Wright and the first Dialect Dictionary, and to writer and historian Paul Salveson about the future of dialect in our modern world, before the Festival draws to a close at nearby Little Marton windmill - now a museum to local dialect writer Allen Clarke (aka Teddy Ashton) whose work once inspired Tolstoy.

Other episodes in this series look at dialect poetry in East Lincolnshire, The Black Country and The Forest of Dean.

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Actor and writer Catherine Harvey travels to Blackpool for the annual Dialect Festival.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Stacey meets various poets from different parts of Cornwall and hears how the dialect differs between east and west and whether you're near the coast or inland.

During the programme we find out how Cornwall's links with the sea, fishing and other industries like tin mining, have influenced the way people speak. We also hear how the Cornish language has seeped into English language dialect in the duchy.

Stacey meets various bards and poets along the way, including Pol Hodges, Will Coleman, Bert Biscoe, Mick Paynter, Meg Chapman and Moe Keast.

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Cornish born and bred actor Stacey Guthrie explores dialect and poetry across Cornwall.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In the final episode of the current series, Cornish born and bred actor Stacey Guthrie explores dialect and dialect poetry across Cornwall.

Stacey meets various poets from different parts of Cornwall and hears how the dialect differs between east and west and whether you're near the coast or inland.

During the programme we find out how Cornwall's links with the sea, fishing and other industries like tin mining, have influenced the way people speak. We also hear how the Cornish language has seeped into English language dialect in the duchy.

Stacey meets various bards and poets along the way, including Pol Hodges, Will Coleman, Bert Biscoe, Mick Paynter, Meg Chapman and Moe Keast.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4.

Cornish born and bred actor Stacey Guthrie explores dialect and poetry across Cornwall.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Cumbria has a long history of dialect poetry, beginning with poets like Josiah Relph, Susanna Blamire and Robert Anderson, and continuing right up to the present day. Katie finds out more about some of these historic poets and their contemporary counterparts. She also speaks to Cedric Robinson - the Queen's Guide to the Sands of Morecambe Bay - and to farmer and writer James Rebanks, trying to understand the connection between dialect, identity and the land itself. How does the place we live in shape who we are and how we choose to express ourselves?

In episodes two and three, the series takes a look at dialect poetry in the Isle of Man and Yorkshire.

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Novelist Katie Hale explores the legacy of early dialect poetry in her native Cumbria.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

A return of the series on dialect poetry in different parts of the UK. Poet and novelist Katie Hale explores the legacy of early dialect poets in her native county of Cumbria, to discover if dialect poetry is a way of expressing local identity.

Cumbria has a long history of dialect poetry, beginning with poets like Josiah Relph, Susanna Blamire and Robert Anderson, and continuing right up to the present day. Katie finds out more about some of these historic poets and their contemporary counterparts. She also speaks to Cedric Robinson - the Queen's Guide to the Sands of Morecambe Bay - and to farmer and writer James Rebanks, trying to understand the connection between dialect, identity and the land itself. How does the place we live in shape who we are and how we choose to express ourselves?

In episodes two and three, the series takes a look at dialect poetry in the Isle of Man and Yorkshire.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Novelist Katie Hale explores the legacy of early dialect poetry in her native Cumbria.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

The Society's name has Danish roots, referring to a sheep that's fallen on its back and is struggling to recover - and Alan asks whether Lincolnshire dialect, so rarely featured in today's media, is in similar distress.

Travelling to the tiny hamlet of Somersby, he visits the birthplace of the county's most famous poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson, whose little-known dialect poetry reveals his cherished memories of the villagers who he grew up with.

Many members of Far Welter'd are themselves poets - like Wolds farmer Andy Robinson (aka Billy Woldsworth) and George Danby, who farms on the Fens. Alan talks to them about their writing and how dialect varies throughout the area. While enthusiastic ‘yeller-belly' Rod Stones discusses the influence of his Danish ancestors on the dialect he speaks today, and Maureen Sutton, Lincolnshire's Poet Laureate, explores the changing perceptions of dialect in our modern world.

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Alan Mumby explores dialect poetry in East Lincolnshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Alan Mumby, Chairman of Far Welter'd, the East Lincolnshire Dialect Society, explores dialect poetry written and spoken in his native county.

The Society's name has Danish roots, referring to a sheep that's fallen on its back and is struggling to recover - and Alan asks whether Lincolnshire dialect, so rarely featured in today's media, is in similar distress.

Travelling to the tiny hamlet of Somersby, he visits the birthplace of the county's most famous poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson, whose little-known dialect poetry reveals his cherished memories of the villagers who he grew up with.

Many members of Far Welter'd are themselves poets - like Wolds farmer Andy Robinson (aka Billy Woldsworth) and George Danby, who farms on the Fens. Alan talks to them about their writing and how dialect varies throughout the area. While enthusiastic ‘yeller-belly' Rod Stones discusses the influence of his Danish ancestors on the dialect he speaks today, and Maureen Sutton, Lincolnshire's Poet Laureate, explores the changing perceptions of dialect in our modern world.

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Alan Mumby explores dialect poetry in East Lincolnshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Through the humour of poems like Miner's Dream and Pity Pony, James explores a language used almost exclusively by miners and finds retired pitmen still reciting pit talk poetry in pubs and other venues across Nottinghamshire. He says: 'these men cry regularly at this poetry. Big retired pit men getting all emotional. It's quite an experience.

As part of the programme, James visits the former home of famous Nottinghamshire novelist and poet DH Lawrence where he meets mining historian and former miner David Amos. He also talks to Natalie Braber, Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University about her research into pit talk and dialects, language and identity.

James hears some of the poems penned underground, translates the dialect and tries to understand what made so many miners turn to poetry. He also discovers how dialect pit poetry is being kept alive by forming the lyrics to new folk music.

Meanwhile part of the programme explores the Nottinghamshire dialect more widely including the use of the greeting 'duck' There's also a performance by Nottinghamshire dialect poet Bridie Squires about the local word 'mardy'.

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Writer James Walker explores the dialect poetry from the pits in Nottinghamshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Writer James Walker unearths the dialect poetry of the Nottinghamshire miners who penned their verse underground in the county where he was born and bred.

Through the humour of poems like Miner's Dream and Pity Pony, James explores a language used almost exclusively by miners and finds retired pitmen still reciting pit talk poetry in pubs and other venues across Nottinghamshire. He says: 'these men cry regularly at this poetry. Big retired pit men getting all emotional. It's quite an experience.

As part of the programme, James visits the former home of famous Nottinghamshire novelist and poet DH Lawrence where he meets mining historian and former miner David Amos. He also talks to Natalie Braber, Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University about her research into pit talk and dialects, language and identity.

James hears some of the poems penned underground, translates the dialect and tries to understand what made so many miners turn to poetry. He also discovers how dialect pit poetry is being kept alive by forming the lyrics to new folk music.

Meanwhile part of the programme explores the Nottinghamshire dialect more widely including the use of the greeting 'duck' There's also a performance by Nottinghamshire dialect poet Bridie Squires about the local word 'mardy'.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4.

Writer James Walker explores the dialect poetry from the pits in Nottinghamshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In a programme made during lockdown, Emma considers the impact of industry, heritage, landscape, and the changing nature of close-knit communities upon dialect writers, as she catches up with some of the key players of the current Black Country Poetry scene via Zoom meetings, telephone calls and socially distanced meetings in bell pits, parks, market places and gardens.

Armed only with a mask, a digital recorder, and a bottle of hand gel, Emma talks to, among others, the Keeper of the Geology for Dudley Borough, dialect expert Esther Asprey, and poets Brendan Hawthorne, Roy McFarlane, RM Francis and Liz Berry.

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Exploring dialect poetry in The Black Country with writer Emma Purshouse as our guide.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Catherine concentrating her search in two areas - the north of the island where her family are from and the west, an area associated with the speaking of Manx Gaelic. She looks at the work of T E Brown, who is still thought of as the island's national poet, and the writers who were part of the Manx Cultural Revival.

In St Johns, she meets Dr Breesha Maddrell, Director of Culture Vannin, to discuss the influence of Manx Gaelic on the dialect of the island, before travelling north to talk to cultural activist, Bob Carswell, and members of The Michael Players - the only organisation in the world regularly performing plays in Manx dialect.

Meanwhile, Catherine asks the current Manx Bard, Annie Kissack, if the dialect and language spoken on the island today has changed - and whether one of them has ultimately triumphed

Other episodes in this series look at dialect poetry in Cumbria and Yorkshire.

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Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores Manx dialect and language speakers.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey returns to her family roots in the Isle of Man to explore the voices of Manx dialect and language speakers, whose words are influenced by the Celts and Norsemen.

Catherine concentrating her search in two areas - the north of the island where her family are from and the west, an area associated with the speaking of Manx Gaelic. She looks at the work of T E Brown, who is still thought of as the island's national poet, and the writers who were part of the Manx Cultural Revival.

In St Johns, she meets Dr Breesha Maddrell, Director of Culture Vannin, to discuss the influence of Manx Gaelic on the dialect of the island, before travelling north to talk to cultural activist, Bob Carswell, and members of The Michael Players - the only organisation in the world regularly performing plays in Manx dialect.

Meanwhile, Catherine asks the current Manx Bard, Annie Kissack, if the dialect and language spoken on the island today has changed - and whether one of them has ultimately triumphed

Other episodes in this series look at dialect poetry in Cumbria and Yorkshire.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores Manx dialect and language speakers.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Ever since Katie found herself mocked in academic circles for her broad South Yorkshire accent, she's made it her mission to celebrate her linguistic heritage. She travels round what was historically England's largest county discovering a huge range of dialect and dialect poetry. She meets with members of the Yorkshire Dialect Society, hears how dialect has evolved in different parts of Yorkshire, finds out what's been lost down the years and discovers a fresh passion for using Yorkshire dialect among several young poets in the region.

From Ilkley Moor Bah Tat (Yorkshire's unofficial national anthem) via the industry and land that spawned much of the dialect, to poets using it as part of various types of social activism, Katie gets a real sense of a county in which dialect is still very much an important part of identity.

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Academic Katie Edwards examines the roots and prevalence of dialect poetry in Yorkshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Academic Dr Katie Edwards examines the roots and prevalence of dialect poetry in Yorkshire.

Ever since Katie found herself mocked in academic circles for her broad South Yorkshire accent, she's made it her mission to celebrate her linguistic heritage. She travels round what was historically England's largest county discovering a huge range of dialect and dialect poetry. She meets with members of the Yorkshire Dialect Society, hears how dialect has evolved in different parts of Yorkshire, finds out what's been lost down the years and discovers a fresh passion for using Yorkshire dialect among several young poets in the region.

From Ilkley Moor Bah Tat (Yorkshire's unofficial national anthem) via the industry and land that spawned much of the dialect, to poets using it as part of various types of social activism, Katie gets a real sense of a county in which dialect is still very much an important part of identity.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Academic Katie Edwards examines the roots and prevalence of dialect poetry in Yorkshire.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

From the heart of Hessle Road in the centre of Hull, once a thriving fishing community, to the banks of the river Humber, Gill goes back to her roots with fellow poets Dean Wilson, Carol Coiffait, Ian Winter and David Okwesia.

Gill asks if the Hull dialect with its flat vowels and unique terminology come from the fact that it's a port and gateway to Europe? Or are we still hanging onto the sayings our Mams and Grannies used to keep us in check when the men were away at sea?

Gill visits Rayners, the pub at the very heart of the sea-faring community, she talks about her childhood and growing up in Hull, hears from experts about how the unique dialect of Hull has evolved over the years, and finds out how new writers are using the changing dialect and accent in their poetry.

Other episodes in the series explore poetry and dialect in Portsmouth, Liverpool and Cornwall.

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Playwright, poet and comedian Gill Adams explores dialect and poetry in her native Hull.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

The popular series soaking up poetry and dialect from different corners of the UK returns - and in the first episode playwright, comedian and poet Gill Adams explores the way people speak in her home city of Kingston upon Hull on Yorkshire's East Coast.

From the heart of Hessle Road in the centre of Hull, once a thriving fishing community, to the banks of the river Humber, Gill goes back to her roots with fellow poets Dean Wilson, Carol Coiffait, Ian Winter and David Okwesia.

Gill asks if the Hull dialect with its flat vowels and unique terminology come from the fact that it's a port and gateway to Europe? Or are we still hanging onto the sayings our Mams and Grannies used to keep us in check when the men were away at sea?

Gill visits Rayners, the pub at the very heart of the sea-faring community, she talks about her childhood and growing up in Hull, hears from experts about how the unique dialect of Hull has evolved over the years, and finds out how new writers are using the changing dialect and accent in their poetry.

Other episodes in the series explore poetry and dialect in Portsmouth, Liverpool and Cornwall.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Playwright, poet and comedian Gill Adams explores dialect and poetry in her native Hull.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In the remains of the world's first commercial wet dock (now deep beneath a shopping centre) Catherine discovers how a cluster of streets next to a muddy pool became a vibrant cultural melting pot, and asks linguist Tony Crowley about the impact of the Port on what Thomas De Quincey once called ‘the many-languaged town of Liverpool'.

From the burial pits of St Patrick's Church, the resting place of thousands who died in past epidemics, to the Everyman Theatre where live poetry events continue the legacy of The Mersey Sound, we hear from some of Liverpool's contemporary poets, including Amina Atiq, Jennifer Lee Tsai, Greg Quiery and Levi Tafari. But are the myths about Liverpool's linguistic history true? And what makes the dialect and identity of this diverse community so unique?

The other areas visited in this series of Tongue and Talk: The Dialect Poets are Hull, Portsmouth and Cornwall.

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Writer and actor Catherine Harvey visits Liverpool to soak up the Merseyside dialect.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores the poetry and language of Liverpool to find out what it means to be a Dicky Sam, a Whacker, a Liverpudlian or a Scouser.

In the remains of the world's first commercial wet dock (now deep beneath a shopping centre) Catherine discovers how a cluster of streets next to a muddy pool became a vibrant cultural melting pot, and asks linguist Tony Crowley about the impact of the Port on what Thomas De Quincey once called ‘the many-languaged town of Liverpool'.

From the burial pits of St Patrick's Church, the resting place of thousands who died in past epidemics, to the Everyman Theatre where live poetry events continue the legacy of The Mersey Sound, we hear from some of Liverpool's contemporary poets, including Amina Atiq, Jennifer Lee Tsai, Greg Quiery and Levi Tafari. But are the myths about Liverpool's linguistic history true? And what makes the dialect and identity of this diverse community so unique?

The other areas visited in this series of Tongue and Talk: The Dialect Poets are Hull, Portsmouth and Cornwall.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Writer and actor Catherine Harvey visits Liverpool to soak up the Merseyside dialect.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In his home city of Aberdeen, Shane performs his own contemporary work in the dialect before delving into its complex linguistic history with Scots language expert Robert McColl Millar. The region's most prolific poet, Sheena Blackall, shares her experiences of speaking in Doric during her school years and her time promoting the dialect in schools since, while teacher Jamie Fairburn discusses the positive impacts his burgeoning Scots language course has had on his pupils in Aberdeenshire.

Shane also meets spoken-word artists Jo Gilbert and Mae Diansangu, who have been engaging with the dialect in new and inclusive ways, such as Jo's Doric Poetry Slam, open to all, and Mae's queer nature poetry with a Doric twist.

Other episodes in this fourth series of Tongue and Talk look at the dialect poetry of Northern Ireland and Wales.

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Writer and performer Shane Strachan celebrates the North East Scots dialect of Doric.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In this first programme, actor and writer Catherine Harvey returns to her roots in north west England to see if the dialect poetry of the cotton mills of 19th Century Lancashire is still alive today.

The Lancashire dialect poets were once household names and their writings articulated the voices of cotton weavers and mill workers in Victorian industrial Lancashire with a mixture of humour and pathos. Catherine Harvey says, "The vivid dialect remains with me, not as something quaintly archaic but present now in the way I speak and write, their voices resonating in the language heard around the north west today."

Later in the series, writer James Walker unearths the dialect poetry of the Nottinghamshire miners who penned their verse underground and children's writer Kirsty McKay offers a snapshot of dialect poetry in Northumberland today.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4.

Catherine Harvey explores if the dialect poetry of 19th-century Lancashire is alive today.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

A three part series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of England.

In this first programme, actor and writer Catherine Harvey returns to her roots in north west England to see if the dialect poetry of the cotton mills of 19th Century Lancashire is still alive today.

The Lancashire dialect poets were once household names and their writings articulated the voices of cotton weavers and mill workers in Victorian industrial Lancashire with a mixture of humour and pathos. Catherine Harvey says, "The vivid dialect remains with me, not as something quaintly archaic but present now in the way I speak and write, their voices resonating in the language heard around the north west today."

Later in the series, writer James Walker unearths the dialect poetry of the Nottinghamshire miners who penned their verse underground and children's writer Kirsty McKay offers a snapshot of dialect poetry in Northumberland today.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4.

Catherine Harvey explores if the dialect poetry of 19th-century Lancashire is alive today.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Catherine's journey begins in Belfast, where poet Ciaran Carson's linguistic roots lie deep beneath the foundations of the city. For many years, he was director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen's University, with its longstanding connection to many of the province's wonderful writers - including, of course, Seamus Heaney himself.

Among others, Catherine talks to poets Scott McKendry and Maria McManus, dialect expert Antoin Rodgers and literary academic Frank Ferguson. With readings by Victoria Gleason and Michael Hughes - from the Weaver Poets, who once worked in Ulster's prosperous linen industry, to the poetry of the streets today and a Greek myth for modern times.

Other episodes in this fourth series look at dialect poetry in Wales and Scotland.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores the poetry and language of Northern Ireland.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores the poetry and language of Northern Ireland, asking how the way people speak and write is connected to the place itself.

Catherine's journey begins in Belfast, where poet Ciaran Carson's linguistic roots lie deep beneath the foundations of the city. For many years, he was director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen's University, with its longstanding connection to many of the province's wonderful writers - including, of course, Seamus Heaney himself.

Among others, Catherine talks to poets Scott McKendry and Maria McManus, dialect expert Antoin Rodgers and literary academic Frank Ferguson. With readings by Victoria Gleason and Michael Hughes - from the Weaver Poets, who once worked in Ulster's prosperous linen industry, to the poetry of the streets today and a Greek myth for modern times.

Other episodes in this fourth series look at dialect poetry in Wales and Scotland.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Actor and writer Catherine Harvey explores the poetry and language of Northern Ireland.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

When Kirsty returned home recently she was struck by how dialect and culture was being eroded by the encroachment of urbanisation and the influx of people moving into the area.

Here Kirsty rediscovers the dialect poetry by listening to old tapes recorded by her late father. She says: 'I found recording after recording of dialect poetry, often accompanied by local musicians, some recorded in late night lock-ins at local pubs or by the fire in the tiny cottage I'd known as a child.

Kirsty sets out on an exploration of identity and the future of the Northumbrian language in the poetry of the Cheviot hills.

Among the people she meets along the way are poet, musician and composer James Tait, retired shepherd Allan Wood and poet and historian Katrina Porteous. Kirsty also hears poetry from the children of Harbottle School and the entrants of The Morpeth Gathering.

Meanwhile the case is made for Northumbrian as a language, not a dialect. It represents the remainder of Old English and is the grandmother of the Scottish language.

Tongue and Talk: The Dialect Poets is produced by Made in Manchester for BBC Radio 4.

Children's author Kirsty McKay explores dialect poetry in Northumberland.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

In the final episode of this three part series, children's author Kirsty Mckay offers a snapshot of dialect poetry in Northumberland today.

When Kirsty returned home recently she was struck by how dialect and culture was being eroded by the encroachment of urbanisation and the influx of people moving into the area.

Here Kirsty rediscovers the dialect poetry by listening to old tapes recorded by her late father. She says: 'I found recording after recording of dialect poetry, often accompanied by local musicians, some recorded in late night lock-ins at local pubs or by the fire in the tiny cottage I'd known as a child.

Kirsty sets out on an exploration of identity and the future of the Northumbrian language in the poetry of the Cheviot hills.

Among the people she meets along the way are poet, musician and composer James Tait, retired shepherd Allan Wood and poet and historian Katrina Porteous. Kirsty also hears poetry from the children of Harbottle School and the entrants of The Morpeth Gathering.

Meanwhile the case is made for Northumbrian as a language, not a dialect. It represents the remainder of Old English and is the grandmother of the Scottish language.

Tongue and Talk: The Dialect Poets is produced by Made in Manchester for BBC Radio 4.

Children's author Kirsty McKay explores dialect poetry in Northumberland.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Maggie meets fellow poets Denise Bennett and Liz Neal at the city's Historic Dockyard, to ask whether the Pompey dialect has been relegated to the margins or is now moving into the modern mainstream. At Fratton Park, home of Portsmouth FC, she chats with George Marsh, former Poet in Residence, to find out how working with Pompey fans has inspired his poetry. From there, she heads to the roof of the iconic Square Tower in Old Portsmouth, the home of her own poetry and music club, Tongues & Grooves, to talk to Al Wright about his novel The Winch, set in a futuristic Portsmouth where people still use a version of the dialect.

Along the way, we hear from poet Jackson Davies about 'sailor speak', and Maggie investigates how dialect poetry can aid mental health. While graphic designer George Bodkin, from the art collective Pompey Banana Club, discusses how dialect has moved from street slang to being celebrated in various art forms around the city.

Other episodes in this series explore dialect and poetry in Hull, Liverpool and Cornwall.

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Poet Maggie Sawkins explores the language, dialect and poetry of her native Portsmouth.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Historian Roger Deeks discusses soldier poet FW Harvey and his influence on later Forest writers, while research fellow Michelle Straw offers fascinating insight into the gendered nature of dialect.

Jason also catches up with local publisher Doug McLean to remember dialect poet and performer Harry Beddington, and meets contemporary poets Keith Morgan and Maggie Clutterbuck, and singer-songwriter Dick Brice. Meanwhile, in search of present-day dialect speakers, he visits the Forest's freeminers, and discovers how local schools are teaching the next generation of Foresters to value their dialect.

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Jason Griffiths uncovers a rich seam of dialect poetry in his native Forest of Dean.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has a long literary legacy, from early dialect writing by William Wickenden to Dennis Potter and Winifred Foley. Academic Jason Griffiths talks to colleagues at the University of Gloucestershire about Reading the Forest, their project exploring the area's literary landscape.

Historian Roger Deeks discusses soldier poet FW Harvey and his influence on later Forest writers, while research fellow Michelle Straw offers fascinating insight into the gendered nature of dialect.

Jason also catches up with local publisher Doug McLean to remember dialect poet and performer Harry Beddington, and meets contemporary poets Keith Morgan and Maggie Clutterbuck, and singer-songwriter Dick Brice. Meanwhile, in search of present-day dialect speakers, he visits the Forest's freeminers, and discovers how local schools are teaching the next generation of Foresters to value their dialect.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Jason Griffiths uncovers a rich seam of dialect poetry in his native Forest of Dean.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Rakie was raised in the Ely district of Cardiff and, in this programme, she meets others from the same area and close by. Meanwhile she explores the significance of so-called Wenglish, dialect in Swansea and the ‘bard of Gower'.

She also discovers dialect poetry in ‘the valleys', including Merthyr Tydfil, and finds out how rap is bringing new words to the South Wales dialect.

Among the poets taking part are Mab Jones, Jack Jones, Eric Ngalle, Lloyd Robson, Mike Jenkins, Topher Mills, Gemma June Howell and singer/songwriter Craig Cherry.

Produced by Ashley Byrne and Iain Mackness

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Welsh actor Rakie Ayola explores poetry using dialect in South Wales.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.

Through discussions with passionate dialect poets and dialect experts on location in South Wales, BAFTA Award-winning actor Rakie Ayola looks at how the words and accent of the area where she grew up have changed over time.

Rakie was raised in the Ely district of Cardiff and, in this programme, she meets others from the same area and close by. Meanwhile she explores the significance of so-called Wenglish, dialect in Swansea and the ‘bard of Gower'.

She also discovers dialect poetry in ‘the valleys', including Merthyr Tydfil, and finds out how rap is bringing new words to the South Wales dialect.

Among the poets taking part are Mab Jones, Jack Jones, Eric Ngalle, Lloyd Robson, Mike Jenkins, Topher Mills, Gemma June Howell and singer/songwriter Craig Cherry.

Produced by Ashley Byrne and Iain Mackness

A Made in Manchester production for BBC Radio 4

Welsh actor Rakie Ayola explores poetry using dialect in South Wales.

Series exploring dialect poetry in different parts of the UK.