Local poet and performer, Ryan Kenny, is set to take to the microphone for his first night as the host of Voices from the Fountain on Tuesday 5th November. Voices has been running on the first Tuesday of each month for 3 years, with regular face and voice of the night being Ian Davies. However, this is now changing as Ryan steps into the role of host.

Ryan's first ever live poetry performance was at this very event, and he has said that the support and encouragement he received from Ian has been a massive driving force in his growth as a poet and performer, and that he is ever grateful for everything that Ian does for the local poetry community. "Ian reached out to me on social media a couple of years ago and asked if I'd like to pop along as an open micer. I jumped at the chance to have my voice heard, and although it was nervewracking at first, Ian and the regulars made me feel extremely welcome and comfortable. It is with their support and feedback that I have developed what started as a therapy related journalling tool into a fully fledged passion, and I now get a major thrill from being in front of the microphone - not bad for a kid who hated writing or speaking up in any kind of group, eh?"

Ryan has also said that he is honoured to have been asked by Ian to take the mantle of host, organiser and general dog's body of Voices, and that he only hopes he can inspire and support the local community half as well as Ian has done so far.

The event is set to continue into the future with the same enthusiasm and welcoming warmth as it has grown to be loved for, though Ryan has teased some intriguing surprises and plans for Voices moving forwards. "You'll have to wait and see, but I do have some ideas that I'd like to explore. I love the regular crowd, and it's great to see the other faces that occasionally pop up at Voices, and I'd love to be able to help to grow not only the open mic events themselves, but the visibility of the amazing talent we have in the Black Country spoken word scene and the opportunities for that talent to be shared and recognised." So keep your eyes peeled for more!

A therapy related journalling tool into a fully fledged passion, and I now get a major thrill from being in front of the microphone - not bad for a kid who hated writing or speaking up in any kind of group, eh?"

Ryan has also said that he is honoured to have been asked by Ian to take the mantle of host, organiser and general dog's body of Voices, and that he only hopes he can inspire and support the local community half as well as Ian has done so far.

The event is set to continue into the future with the same enthusiasm and welcoming warmth as it has grown to be loved for, though Ryan has teased some intriguing surprises and plans for Voices moving forwards. "You'll have to wait and see, but I do have some ideas that I'd like to explore. I love the regular crowd, and it's great to see the other faces that occasionally pop up at Voices, and I'd love to be able to help to grow not only the open mic events themselves, but the visibility of the amazing talent we have in the Black Country spoken word scene and the opportunities for that talent to be shared and recognised." So keep your eyes peeled for more!

Voices from the Fountain runs on the first Tuesday of each month and the Fountain Inn, Lower Forster Street, Walsall. For more information about the event, you can find them on Facebook or Instagram.

To see more of Ryan's work, including his own performances and poetry, you can find him on Instagram at @r5k.poetry