Yesterday it was six years ago the poet Linda Chase died after a short illness.  My poet friend Keith Lander has kept the email “Dear List” alive that Linda started years ago.  It arrives on Sunday with a long list of all the poetry events in and around Manchester.  Linda also started the fabulous Poets and Players series of readings.  They’re held at the Whitworth and attract a sizeable audience of well over a hundred.

I was on the first poetry course that Linda ran in her Village Hall in October 2004 and from then I regularly attended other courses she ran or organised.  She helped me become a poet and my debut collection is dedicated to her memory.

Look at lindachase.co.uk – the on-line archive for sample poems, background information on her careers – stage costume designer and Tai Chi teacher – and some wonderful photos that show her generosity, energy and spirit…