Poetry published by Peggy Oliver, Hidden Talent in Buxted
Local poet, Peggy Oliver, has published her latest collection, ‘Life memories and other poems’, and will be exhibiting her work at this year’s Hidden Talents arts show. Peggy started writing poetry at 14, and 19 years later had published her first book ‘Stories and verses for the very young’. During her time as a clerical officer in the Civil Service, Peggy’s poems were often published in its monthly magazine. In those days, she penned under the pseudonym 131, after the number of the office she worked in.
Describing her inspirations, Peggy said “I write about the things that people don’t notice but that are around us all the time, from hedgerow flowers to pylons, and, about everyday situations and feelings. In Hampshire, for the seven years before moving to Sussex, my husband and I had a little shop, giving me wonderful access to people and the things they care about.”
A Hailsham resident from 1992, Peggy moved into Wealden District Council’s sheltered accommodation in Buxted in 2006. Peggy will be supporting this year’s Hidden Talents show at the Great Barn Michelham Priory, where her poems will be displayed from Tuesday, October 2 until Sunday, October 7, 10.30am – 4.30pm. Anyone interested in Peggy’s new poetry collection can order a copy at the show. The Hidden Talents show is organised by sheltered housing residents as a way to highlight and develop the wealth of creative talent that blossoms after retirement.
“Hidden Talents is truly beneficial to people in our sheltered housing because there is a huge amount of talent there and it really needs to be brought out. Next month’s exhibition is set to charm anyone with the chance to visit Michelham Priory,” Councillor Di Phillips said enthusiastically.
Peggy Oliver has also spoken in confidence to all the residents of Buxted Court, in order to produce a ‘Buxted Court Book’. “The residents have been so good to me, it’s been a wonderful response”, enthuses Peggy. The book also includes “a small number of obituaries to record the lovely memories people have left behind.”
Wealden District Council provides 14 sheltered housing schemes with 580 homes across the district. As well as encouraging increased involvement from residents of sheltered accommodation, this year’s exhibition will include work from local schools and staff at Wealden District Council.
