Edward Storey (28 February 1930 – 18 November 2018), was an English poet, dramatist and non-fiction writer. He was born atWhittlesey, part of theIsle of Ely inCambridgeshire. TheFens inspired much of his work.[1]
Before becoming a full-time writer in the late 1960s, Storey completedNational Service and worked in adult education for the Peterborough City Education Authority and theWorkers' Educational Association (WEA). His first poetry volume (North Bank Night) appeared in 1969 in thePhoenix Living Poets series.[1][2]
In an early work,Portrait of the Fen Country (1971), Storey reflected on his childhood understanding of the world as shaped by his Fenland experience. InFen Boy First (1992), published byRobert Hale Ltd, he gave an account of growing up in Whittlesey and inFen Country Christmas (1995) he collected a number of stories, legends and fenland superstitions.[1] He was a founder member of theJohn Clare Society and the literature panel of the Eastern Arts Association.
Storey moved toWales in 1999.[1] For many years he chaired the Friends of St Michael's, the church next to his home in Discoed, engaged in fundraising to restore the building and support other arts events. New poetry collections, inspired by the local border country and other sources, were published by the Friends of St Michael's under the imprint of The Leverett Press.
Edward Storey died at his home in Discoed early on the morning of 18 November 2018. The funeral service was held at St Michaels on 5 December.[3]
Edward Storey's poems and libretti have been set to music byTrevor Hold, Adrian Williams, David Twigg, Cecilia MacDowell, Trevor Jones and others, leading to performances and/or recordings. Recent CD recordings of musical settings of Edward's poems are 'Pure Music' featuring Voller String Quartet and mezzo-soprano Zarah Hible, and 'Spirit Songs' featuring soprano Louise Wayman accompanied by pianist Sarah Gard. The music on these recording is by Trevor Jones.
"A deeply meditative poet who sees in nature a mirror for the human condition and sensibility.. these are beautifully crafted poems that exist because they have to."(The Poetry Quarterly Review)
"You won't find a poet who can quite do what Storey does."(Envoi)
"Effortless in its voice, language and poetic form, and in its relationship with the reader... never slight nor dependent on conventional sentiment, but marked by grace or gravitas."(Ambit)
