Staffordshire celebrates new Poets Laureate
Two new Poets Laureate for Staffordshire have been appointed as part of National Poetry Day.
Scarlett Ward from Stafford was appointed to the role of Staffordshire Poet Laureate and Harry Fletcher from Perton as the Young Poet Laureate for Staffordshire.
The pair were inaugurated on National Poetry Day, Thursday 3 October at a special event at Stafford Library.
Both Scarlett and Harry entertained audiences with their poetry and spoke about their vision to promote poetry across the county in their new roles.
Outgoing Poet Laureate, Dawn Jutton and Young Poet Laureate Trinity Davis also attended the event to pass on the baton and share their experience of the roles and what they had both achieved.
Scarlett said: "It means the world to me to be entrusted with the role of Staffordshire Poet Laureate, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with members of the community to bring poetry into the spotlight.
“I hope that through my work I am able to share the joy that poems can spark, both in those new to the craft as well as those who already find home upon the page. Staffordshire has a long history of esteemed Laureates, and it is an honour to have my name amongst them."
Harry, who is currently studying at Codsall Community High School is the 11th Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate.
Harry aspires to become a journalist and his passion for poetry has led him to win a recent Young Writers competition where his work will be published.
Harry said: “Being appointed to the role is gratifying and I can’t wait to start my duties. Over my year as young laureate I am ambitious about encouraging a new generation of writers.
“My aspiration in the role is to endeavour the future of poetry in and around Staffordshire, through the promotion of literature and exciting events.”
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said: “I’m delighted to welcome our two new poets to these prestigious laureateships.
“Last year Dawn and Trinity did a wonderful job of promoting poetry across the county, and I would like to thank them for all their hard work. I’m now looking forward to seeing what Scarlett and Harry have planned for the year ahead.”
Outgoing Poet Laureate Dawn Jutton who hosted the evening added: “My time as Staffordshire Poet Laureate has been a great opportunity to write, commission and celebrate Staffordshire and to perform these across the Midlands.
“It has also been wonderful to meet and support people engaging with poetry in schools, libraries, local writing groups and the community. Some of my personal highlights include working with Staffordshire Archives on a new LGBTQ collection of oral histories, editing and publishing an anthology of poems for National Trust's Blossom Festival at Shugborough Estate and writing 'Staeth' for a national new homes company.
The initiative is managed by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries and Arts Service and aims to encourage a wider appreciation and enjoyment of poetry across Staffordshire.
People can follow Harry’s work on his new Instagram page Fletcher Poetry (@hfletcher.poetry) and Scarlett’s work will be reflected through Fawn Press website and Fawn Press Publisher Of Poetry (@fawnpress) on Instagram.
Scarlett talks about her plans and reads one of her poems in this short video.
Pictured from left to right: Harry Fletcher and Scarlett Ward
