A Renga with Alan Spence

Gerry Loose (1948-2024) was a well respected poet with long connections to both Lapidus Scotland and Glasgow Botanic Gardens. As Poet-in-Residence at the Gardens, Gerry organised events and created poems for slates and stones.

Renga is a communal form of writing practiced by Gerry, with roots in Japan. This is the third in a series of renga organised by Lapidus Scotland to remember Gerry. During these events we visit those poems of Gerry's that remain in the Gardens, and use them and their settings as prompts for writing.

Facilitated by Alan Spence and hosted by Ken Cockburn.

Alan Spence is an award-winning poet and playwright, novelist and short story writer. He is Professor Emeritus in Creative Writing at The University of Aberdeen From 2017 to 2021 he was Edinburgh Makar (Poet Laureate). In 2018 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan. His latest novel, Mister Timeless Blyth, is based on the life of RH Blyth. Haiku collections include seasons of the heart, clear light, and glasgow zen. With his wife Janani he runs the Sri Chinmoy meditation centre in Edinburgh.

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Please note this is a drop-in event. You're free to join us at any point, and to stay for as long as you'd like.

The event is free, but if you would like to contribute to its costs please consider buying a 'donation' ticket. Suggested donation £10.00.

Please note that you only need to book once – either a free ticket, or a 'donation' ticket.

If you book a free ticket, and later decide you wish to make a donation, you can do so via the Lapidus Scotland website here.

Images: River Kelvin; Ash tree; part of a work by Gerry Loose in Glasgow Botanic Gardens; Alan Spence Gerry Loose; renga at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, May 2025