Squawk Spoken Word #7 - Sarah Miller & Poetry Open Mic

About Squawk Spoken Word

Squawk Spoken Word is a monthly poetry night in Barrow-in-Furness giving local poets the chance to share their work and hear others on a regular basis.

Since launching in April 2026, Squawk has seen the likes of Louise Exactly and Bradley Taylor take to the stage as headliners. Plus, poets from across South West Cumbria and beyond have performed on their open mic.

Meet Your Headliner - Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller is a Barrovian poet, playwright, and theatre deviser based in Barrow-in-Furness. She has facilitated workshops from South Cumbria to West Africa and worked as a theatre director, dramaturg, and writer-in-residence, collaborating with communities, visual artists, dance companies, and sonic improvisers. She even has a poem carved into a pathway in her hometown.

Since returning to Barrow, Sarah has been a regular at various local poetry open mic nights, placed 3rd in our poetry slam, and was one of the most requested headliners following our first series of spoken word events.

Meet Your Host - Caleb Staps

Caleb Staps (he/him) is a Barrovian poet and workshop facilitator who founded Squawk Spoken Word in April 2026 thanks to support using public funding by Arts Council England. His poems have been featured on BBC Radio, printed in anthologies, and performed live at town halls, pub basements, and polytunnels.

His poetry explores themes such as youth, grief, otherness, and existence in a small industrial town where not much 'seems' to happen.

'A witty, articulate everyman - it's a pleasure to step into his world of words.' - Louise Exactly, Poet & Educator

'A brilliant poet and a wonderful person. Always a lovely addition to a spoken word lineup.' - Ilaria Passeri, Award-winning Storyteller

Welcome To Our Nest - Full Of Noises (FON)

Full Of Noises (FON) is a sound art and new music organisation based in Piel View House, Barrow Park. Their new performance space is home to regular concerts, film screenings, and events.

FAQs

What types of poetry can I perform?

At Squawk, We welcome all genres of poetry into our nest. Whether your poems are serious, silly, traditional, or experimental - we can't wait to hear them!

We ask that if your work contains any sensitive or potentially ‘triggering’ subject matter we ask that you give content warnings to an audience before performing. This will allow anyone, if they wish, to remove themselves from the space during the piece being performed.

At Squawk we welcome everyone into our nest so we will not tolerate racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia, or any other discriminative imagery or language of any kind. We consider this to be the case even in instances when the language is being used as a form of artistic innovation or intervention.

Where is Full Of Noises? Can we park there?

FON is in Barrow Park. There is no parking other than one designated accessible parking space, to book this please email glenn@fonfestival.org. Access to the venue is by foot. Enter from the park gate by Park Drive junction bus stop (by the Baptist Church) Walk route is 2 mins signposted from here.

Where is the best place to park?

We suggest parking on Park Drive near the junction with Abbey Road. Enter the park at Abbey Road gate near the church. We are just 200 yards inside the park from there.

What if I am late?

We ask people arrive before 7.30pm when the poetry night will start promptly. We understand people can sometimes be delayed. If you are late we will usually wait for until a performer has finished before we let you into the performance space.