Feel free to laugh and wonder as you browse pictures of my life as a poet and writer
Southbourne beach looking west towards the Purbecks. Walking on the beach with our dog Hope is a source of inspiration and a great way to relax.
The superb venue in Edinburgh where I performed last August as part of a Film Festival. It has a 70-seater plush film theatre. Looking forward to returning there this year. A special project – details here soon.
Avatar me! A good likeness – I do love a waist-coat.
Finding Myself – independently published (KDP) in 2023. Available in paperback or hardback. I am currently working on my fourteenth book, an historical novel set in 1st century Jerusalem. Just three of my books have been independently published, including Only Recently (see below – published 2025).
The striking logo of the production company I set up with my script writing partner and friend Rich Broadbent. We scoped and wrote six sit-com scripts. Despite having some good industry people on board to date we can only report near-misses!
It was fun to be chosen as one of the Poetry Bus poets. I took a childish pleasure travelling on the bus with some of my poems on the ceiling and sides.
All work and no play makes Paul a dull boy. I’ve always loved sports. In the second half of life golf has been my sport of choice. This spoof magazine cover was a gift from one of my sons.
Poetry on the Spot was a monthly improvisation and performance show that Bob Hill and I devised. For four years we had a residency at Chaplins the award-winning venue in Boscombe. We also took it to Oxford, Portsmouth and Petersfield. Great times.
Non-fiction – I have written and taught often about leadership. This is aimed at young people who become head students, prefects and sports captains in schools and colleges.
Part of a spotlight article in The Christian Writer. A rare clean shaven picture!
This is the superb Learning Centre at Reigate Grammar School. I was their first Poet in Residence – teaching and facilitating poetry throughout an academic year.
The biggest and longest book I have written to date. Communication and preaching are passions of mine. I was pleased to be approached by my publisher, the late Kevin Mayhew to write suggested outlines on the gospel readings in the church’s three-year cycle. I loved “living in the gospels” but it was like climbing Everest. I missed a whole year of golf in the process! It makes a good ordination gift.
I have had significant opportunities in radio locally and nationally. I was part of the team at SouthCityFM (sadly no longer around) producing and presenting a weekend show as well as covering the entertainment and community briefs.
Like many poets in Bournemouth area I loved being part of Freeway Poets at the Winchester – some of the most creative events I have had the pleasure of being part of.
Like most performance poets I cut my teeth in open mic evenings – a great first step.
Paul Canon Harris 