Poet Tony Hillier at the Poetry Omnibus launch in Wharf Green.

 

Poetry In Motion Offers Insight Into Town

 

A book of poetry written in collaboration with passengers on Swindon buses was published in Spring 2010, with all net proceeds being donated to Prospect Hospice.

 

The collection of poems, entitled Swindon Poem Omnibus, is the product of Thamesdown Transport’s ‘poetry in motion’ campaign, which took place in the summer of 2009. Tony Hillier, Swindon’s resident community poet, took to the buses a year ago to share poetry with passengers and transform their thoughts and feelings into verse.

 

Tony said: “People shared their thoughts and reflections on all sorts of topics; we ended up with poems about the purpose of their journey, how they felt about the town and their memories.

 

A few of the travellers had previously engaged in poetic activities and we’ve ended up with some lovely pieces.”

 

Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of Thamesdown Transport, said: “The project was inspired by an initiative on the London Underground that saw verses from famous poems being displayed at stations to cheer passengers up. Tony approached us with the idea and we were intrigued. The poems we’ve ended up with are fantastic and offer real insight.

 

The poetry book is available priced £3.99 from Thamesdown Transport’s travel shop in Fleming Way (near Debenhams).

 

> Poetry in Motion - more pictures + video