Friday, 6 April 2012

Stamford's Poetry Festival - Verse 2012


Well, what a week! Only a few days ago did the Stamford Poetry festival come to an end - and here at Book a Poet we're exhausted. But it's a good exhaustion - we've been left with the satisfied feeling that comes after being part of a brilliant event. And what an event it was - packed with school workshops, poetry takeaways, a cupcake decorating poetry session with Camilla McLean (The Tale of Candy Kate the Psycho Baker) , writing surgeries with the Lincolnshire Poet Laureate Joel Stickly, and an open mike session with Pint of Poetry. Not to forget of course, the amazing performance by the Dead Poets themselves - Mr Mark Grist and MC Mixy. 

Central to the festival was the crowning of Stamford's first ever Poet Laureate - Darren Rawnsley. 
Darren is the first person to hold the title of 'Stamford's Poet Laureate', and Book a Poet assisted with setting up the laureateship in the town.

'The Runner' is the poem Darren submitted to Stamford Arts Centre, and he then performed for the first time on Friday 30th March in front of a live audience and panel of judges, alongside 5 other Stamford poets who were shortlisted for the final. Darren was announced the winner on Sunday 1st April and the Mayor of Stamford, Cllr John Binder presented him with the title.

If you would like to get in touch with Darren, please email us at info@bookapoet.co.uk and we will pass the message along. 'The Runner' by Darren Rawnsley is our Featured Poem for April 2012 - you can read it by clicking here: http://www.bookapoet.co.uk/featured_poem/ 

We look forward to keeping you updated with Darren's first year as Stamford's Poet Laureate.

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