Residents across the borough will have a unique opportunity to sample the humorous verse of comedy impresario-turned-performance poet Steven P Taylor with the opening of a new exhibition.

Harwood Library in Bolton will be showcasing a selection of about 30 framed poems on a variety of subjects, including legendary Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah, the 23T bus and 1970s Bolton.

There are poems on subjects as diverse as war, the environment, Covid, Ikea, love/lust, grief, social issues and “general silliness”.

Steven regularly performs alongside local musicians and bands and, in the past, has run the Laughing Gas comedy clubs with Phil Cool which have featured Peter Kay, Jack Dee, Jo Brand and many others.

Over the years Steven has also worked with many stars of poetry like John Cooper Clarke, Henry Normal, Hovis Presley and John Hegley.

The exhibition is a chance to read a selection of Steven’s work over the past 10 years during which time he has written four collections of poetry.

He has recently performed at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club and headlined his own sell-out show Bury Met in February 2020.

Steven’s first book of poetry ‘Reflections’ is currently in its third print and the follow-up ‘Reflections 2’ came out in March 2020.

His third book ‘2020 vision’ is a collection of poems written during and about the year of Covid. The proceeds of this book are all going to Bury Hospice.

His Fourth book ‘Back on Track’ is out now and a fifth nearing completion.

The exhibition is running on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until September 30 with free entry from 10am to 5pm.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.