Budding poets in Stone still have time to put pen to paper to enter a competition to be crowned Staffordshire’s next Young Poet Laureate.
For the third year running, the county council and the city council have joined forces to recruit a new Young Poet Laureate for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, who will hold the post for a year. The prestigious competition aims to showcase the creative skills of 14-18 year-olds across the whole of Staffordshire.
The closing date is Saturday 6th July. Entrants are being asked to submit two of their own compositions. The first should focus on how Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire is a great place to live, work and visit, while the second can be about any topic. Entrants are also required to submit a list of ideas detailing what they would do during their time as Young Poet Laureate.
Natalie Cotterill, a pupil at King Edward VI High School, Lichfield, was the first holder of the post, followed by Barlaston’s Harry Shenton, who is the current title holder. Harry has used his time in the role to write poems for special events and occasions, and to promote an enjoyment of poetry in younger people.
The contest is open to youngsters who live or study in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire.
County Councillor Ben Adams, Staffordshire’s Library Chief, said: “Even the most reluctant young readers often respond well to poetry, leading them to be more open-minded, thoughtful, creative and expressive. Poems are often the things we learn as young children that stay with us our whole lives. This competition gives us the unique opportunity to celebrate the abilities of our young poets and use those skills to promote a love of poetry in younger audiences.”
“Working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council means we can create a role that truly reflects the depth of talent we have in our young people across the whole of our creative county. I’d like to thank Harry for all his hard work in the role so far, and I’m sure he’ll continue to do a sterling job for us until he hands his crown to his successor in October.”
Shortlisted applicants will be required to perform one of their own poems, and another poem of their choice on Saturday 5th September at a venue in Stafford. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Young Poet Laureate will be announced on National Poetry Day, Thursday 8th October.
Applications should be sent to Sue Ball at Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH or emailed to sue.ball@staffordshire.gov.uk Rules of entry and an application form can be found by following the relevant links at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries and www.stoke.gov.uk/libraries respectively.
