Poetry

Pop-Up Event: Worth 200 Poetry Callout

This year the Old Town Hall Pop-Up Events is joining the Worth 200 celebrations in the town of Bourne to celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Frederick Worth, 
known globally as “the Father of Haute Couture”.

From his early days in Bourne, where he grew up at Wake House on North Street, 
Charles left aged 12 to be apprenticed in London at a department store.
From there he made his way, aged 21, to Paris and then began his inspirational journey to opening his own fashion house, creating elements of the fashion industry that we recognise today,
from labels in his garments to the use of moving catwalk models.
Charles was a disruptor, an innovator and a shrewd businessman; he became the iconic designer who dressed European royalty and was couturier to the Million Dollar Duchesses from America.

We invited poetry inspired by the life and works of Charles Worth, these are the written entries received, thanks to all participants!

Poetic Worth PDF Flipbook

 

Worth 200 Celebrations 11-12th October 2025

Poetic Worth was organised and run in collaboration with The Aveland History Group and Bourne U3A.

For inspiration and help with the poetic prompts, our thanks go to Dr Sarah Parker, Senior Lecturer in English, Loughborough University and Dr Richard O’Brien, Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Northumbria University.

Thanks to Ben Connell for the artwork for our posters, and to Ross Ayres, Stamford Poet Laureate, for hosting the event.

Photos above by volunteers of The Aveland History Group and Steve Riley.