19 March 2008

Ann Atkinson appointed as Second Poet Laureate of the Peak

"I came to the Peak District after my first daughter was born, and spent the first four years, and two of Derbyshire’s worst winters, living closer to nature than was comfortable, in a caravan high above the village of Eyam.  My second daughter was born there, and that’s when I started writing poetry, drawing on that richly raw environment for those early poems. 

I’ve lived in the park for over 30 years. From my doorstep I can stroll in the ancient woodland of Padley Gorge, or down the valley along the river Derwent, or up the hillside and along the edges. And ‘stroll’ is the right word - I confess I do not own walking boots. Most of my writing happens in the small study at the back of my house overlooking the garden, which just now is full of snowdrops, crocus, the early thrust of daffodil and tulip spears, and every kind of finch and tit, nuthatches, visiting woodpeckers, and several marauding squirrels....(there’s the poem in progress about greasing the pole of the bird-feeder...titled NIMBY).

Writing poetry and working with students and fellow writers has been central to my life for more than 20 years. I was an editor of Staple magazine for seven years, have taught creative writing at Derby, Leeds and Sheffield universities, and worked with WEA and adult education groups. This year I’ve been working with students at Derby University’s Buxton site...(maybe there’s another poem on the way about the Foucault Pendulum in the Dome, and how it behaved the day after the earthquake).

I am delighted to have been chosen as the Peak’s second poet laureate, and am excited by the opportunity to meet and work with other writers, as well as with visual artists, photographers, musicians, and dancers.  I hope to celebrate in poetry, the landscape, history, industry, and the people of the Peak District.  It looks like being a creative and rewarding couple of years."

Click here to read Ann's first Poem, 'He talks about fishing the Derwent'

Click here to read the top ten poems submitted in 2008

Click here to read the poems of retiring Poet Laureate, Alec Rapkin

There is also a Derbyshire Poet Laureate, River Wolton. Click here to visit the Derbyshire Poet Laureate webpage (opens in a new window)