CAMPAIGNING Keighley writer Si Pi the Poetry Guy has written an ode to toads.

He picked up his quill to write a poem supporting Riddlesden Toad Patrol’s efforts to protect the village’s amphibians.

His lyrical intervention is inspiring volunteers as they spend cold and dark winter evenings helping toads safely cross roads to reach the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Si’s performance of his poem, There’s a Toad in the Road, has been filmed and posted to YouTube.

The rhyme and reason for Si’s involvement was to promote the annual Toad Summit, which will unite nature lovers from across the region in Halifax this month.

Si is a ‘spontaneous poet’ who writes poems about anything for anyone, usually on the spot. In 2017 he was resident poet at Croft House care home in Eastburn, and he is now half of the Brothers of Battenberg radio presenters.

Si spoke about his work early last autumn at Keighley Green Drinks, a regular informal gathering of environmentally-minded local people, where the audience included Toad Patrol member Sue Patchett.

After Sue told Si about the Toad Summit he wrote a poem about it, premiering it at the December Green Drinks.

Sue and Si got together during the Christmas Holidays to film the poem in the grounds of East Riddlesden Hall.

The venture is being supported by regeneration body Keighley Big Local, whose residents’ Partnership Board includes Sue.

Big Local coordinator Shaun O’Hare said: “The poem was well received in December and Si Pi’s piece of writing will be used to promote the Toad Summit, organised by Froglife.

“Keighley Big Local supported Riddlesden Toad Patrol in 2019 with a small grant, plus helping secure further external funding for a-district-wide networking event, the Great geTOADgether!”

Si has become increasingly involved in regeneration projects run by Keighley Big Local in the hope he can inspire local residents with his performances.

Shaun added: “Si is most at home when rhyming and appreciates the art of timing. If you are part of an organised group or campaign in Keighley, why not ask Si Pi to make up a poem about your group?”

Email admin@keighleybiglocal.org.uk in order to contact Si Pi.