Join Jay Bernard as they read from their poetry collection, Surge
Jay Bernard’s Surge explores the devastating 1981 New Cross fire, which killed 13
young black people. From here, Jay traces a line to the 2017 Grenfell fire.
The collection uses dancehall rhythm and Jamaican patois to draw you into the past.
Themes of memory, activism and justice shine a light on an ignored chapter of
British history.
Jay will read from their work, followed by audience Q & A and book signing.
Surge is published by Chatto and Windus
Biography
Jay Bernard’s work is important, queer and based on history. They won the 2018
Ted Hughes Award for their debut full collection Surge: Side A. In 2019, they were
selected as one of Britain’s 10 best BAME writers by British Council and National
Centre for Writing.