Become Shropshire’s first Young Poet Laureate

Budding young poets across the county have until Wednesday 31 July at 5pm to apply for the title of Young Poet Laureate 2013. Holding the title for a year, the lucky winner will receive mentoring from a professional poet and have the chance to promote poetry and the library service through readings, workshops and visits to schools.

The post, new to Shropshire for 2013 is available to anyone aged between 13 and 17 that is either studying or living in Shropshire. It is being brought to young people by Shropshire Council’s library service and Wenlock Poetry Festival.

Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Libraries, Gwilym
Butler said:

“The great thing about poetry is that anything goes. Poems can be serious, silly, funny or sad. My message to budding young poets would be to ‘just have a go’. This is a superb opportunity to not just develop your poetry, but experience a wide variety of new skills that can be used throughout life. I hope the 2013 winner is the first in a long line of Young Poet Laureates.”

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 July at 5pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to perform in front of judges and an audience on the evening of 25th September, and the winner will be announced on National Poetry Day, 3 October 2013.
Application forms are available in all Shropshire public libraries or click here to download an electronic copy from Wenlock Poetry Festival website.

For further information, please contact Pam Parish, Library Manager for Children & Young People at Shropshire Council at: pam.parish@shropshire.gov.uk or visit: www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org.