Could You Be Stamford's Next Poet Laureate?

John Hegley performing at Verse 2012 after Stamford's first ever Poet Laureate, Darren Rawnsley, had been announced

 The role of Stamford Poet Laureate was established in connection with Stamford's first poetry festival Verse in March 2012.

If you, or someone you know, is a secret Wordsworth, Keats, Burns- or perhaps something totally new and extraordinary, the role is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your talent and hold the honorary title of Stamford Poet Laureate.

Although the role is unpaid, the title is recognition of your talent and a launch pad for your poetry career, giving you a unique role in the community and further afield.

Duties:

• To fulfil the Poet Laureate tenure of one year
• To promote and raise the profile of poetry within the community - to be 'the face' of poetry in Stamford.
• You will be expected to work closely yet flexibly with Stamford Arts Centre on poetry activities/events. 
• To write poems on request themed around Stamford/a specific event/season/etc.
• To attend local events and make appearances.
• To be willing to raise the profile of poetry in local and national media. This will mean you will be available for interviews with newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations when necessary.

Closing date for applications is 31st March 2013, you need to submit the application form and a typed copy of one of your own poems. The Poet Laureate final is on 24th April 2013. For further information and to download an application form, please visit www.stamfordartscentre.com.

Good Luck! 

VIDEO: Darren Rawnsley is chosen as Stamford’s first ever poet laureate - Local - Rutland and Stamford Mercury

VIDEO: Darren Rawnsley is chosen as Stamford’s first ever poet laureate - Local - Rutland and Stamford Mercury

Coverage of the first Stamford Poet Laureate news story, by the Stamford Mercury :)

Verse 2012 - a few photos we took

John Hegley, Joel Stickley, all the Stamford Laureate finalists with the mayor of Stamford (Cllr John Binder) and Joel Stickley plus a few photos of the amazing concrete poems the pupils from schools in and around Stamford created for the festival.

Featured Poem for April 2012

'The Runner' by Darren Rawnsley

The darkness is gone, now the sun burns my eyes
as I trudge through the desert with another disguise,
I hear him behind me on a steed of light grey
whose muscles compound whilst heading my way.

Faster and faster my blood flies around
through the open blue rivers down chambers
that sound, like double bass drums pounding my ears,
glimpses of sweat washed over with tears.

I rip up my body for freedom and speed
his hooves and his rider, those arrogant thieves
who steal my possessions my will and my life,
they give me back nothing but sharpen the knife.

Now I am naked way over the dune
the walls are enclosing there isn’t much room
to manoeuvre and run, I just slip in the mud
the walls of my trench collapse as they should
while the torrent descends making heavy my steps,
he is standing beside me, above me, behind me
I am not quite lost yet.

The river runs slower, his hold is unkind
nut there lies a softness somewhere deep behind
his rusty old armour, his nicotine scent,
I turn and squeeze through a narrow dark vent,
No light at the end, no help to be seen
I fall off the kerb and awake from the dream
once again it is real, a punch then the scream!

© Darren Rawnsley, March 2012. All rights reserved.

 Please do not use without the poet's permission.

Visit http://www.bookapoet.co.uk/featured_poem/ to read further info about Darren as well as read all our previous Featured Poems!

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.