It’s my pleasure to start 2022’s programme by reviewing the newest collection of a poet friend with whom I became acquainted during the early days of Hedgehog Poetry, Margaret Royall. This work is an unusual collection of poetry and prose entitled, Immersed in Blue and it is published by Steve Cawte at Impspired, as part of his new programme of individual collections, following the success of his wonderfully eclectic Impspired Magazine series. Immersed in Blue is a reflection on Royall’s experiences of the Scottish Isle of Iona over a nine year period, starting in 2012.

Anyone who is familiar with Royall’s poetry will know she has the ability to capture natural environments vividly and she deploys this talent to telling effect in this collection. What emerges most strongly is Royall’s sense of awe and wonder at the place that captivates her, having visited it annually for almost a decade.  Her…