The range of writers who get a chance to put their work before the public at Letchworth’s David’s Bookshop is a wide one.

Novelists, commentators, celebs with an autobiography to promote – today queen of baking Mary Berry is the special guest.

Anyone who puts words on paper and has something to say could find themselves on the timetable – and that includes poets.

Gareth Writer-Davies – ‘strangely, my real name’ he feels the need to confirm – won’t have far to go when he launches his new collection at the Eastcheap bookshop later this month.

Gareth, of Glebe Road, Letchworth, makes a living as a gardener but he’s not looking to be a 21st century Wordsworth inspired by daffodils and the many glories of nature.

Bodies, which will be launched on Thursday, April 16, is his first collection. He’s signed a deal with Indigo Dreams Publishing for this and future works, which is fast progress for someone who has only been writing for five years and admits that before then he hadn’t written or read poetry for 30 years.

Gareth is a member of the Letchworth group, or stanza, of The Poetry Society which meets at The Settlement in Nevells Road every Thursday.

“A member will set a workshop and we write to that theme. There’s no pressure, feedback is low key and new members are always welcome,” he says.

Gareth is under no illusions about making a fortune from his work.

“If a well known poet sells more than 400 copies of a collection, they’re more than happy,” he says.

“Poetry enters the public consciousness rarely, except at times of personal or national joy and stress.

“Maybe lyrics of popular songs are the nearest we get to a national poetry – I would say various rap artists have bought poetry to the masses, and it is perhaps there that poetry speaks the loudest.”

But there’s much to explore, and much to savour in the field, particularly if you want to be a poet yourself.

“I would tell people to get to gigs, buy a book and have a taster – nobody is expecting to be a wonderful poet from the go, but you can be a wonderful poetry appreciator!”

One of those gigs will feature Gareth’s work – tickets for the April 16 event are only £2, and will be available on the door. You can also book in advance by calling the shop on 01462 684631 or 07787 568479.