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poet laureate of the peak The Poet Laureate of the Peak competition, organised
by Arts in the Peak with support from the Peak District National Park
Authority, is aimed at promoting contemporary poetry and raising awareness of
the Peak District. It is limited to entrants who lived or worked in the area,
or visited regularly, and typically attracts 50 entries. The post is for two
years. Our first poet laureate was Alex Rapkin, a
keen naturalist and writer for many year. Our recent winner was Ann Atkinson
who has lived in the Peak for over 30 year. Read about Ann and Alex or link to their poems
below. Or follow the links to the rest of the best from this yearÕs entries: Jo Bell, 'We all believe that one day
weÕll keep chickens'
Mark
Goodwin, 'Moor on Paper Under Foot' C
J Allen, 'Abandoned Millstones
Colin
Sutherill, 'The Thing Itself, The Loss Of It'
Daniel
Bennett, 'Ode to a spider living in the eye socket of a long-dead sheep'
Liz
Cashdan, 'The Names for Wool' Ralph
Hancock, 'Chapel Milton Railway Viaducts' |
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"I came to the Peak District after my first daughter was born,
and spent the first four years, and two of DerbyshireÕs 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
thatÕs when I started writing poetry, drawing on that richly raw environment
for those early poems. IÕve 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 ŌstrollÕ 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....(thereÕs 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 IÕve
been working with students at Derby UniversityÕs Buxton site...(maybe thereÕs
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 PeakÕs 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." Read AnnÕs poems. |
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The retiring Poet Laureate of the Peak would spend every day, if he
could, out in the countryside, drawing inspiration directly from nature.For Alec Rapkin, 64, is an
amateur naturalist who was announced as the area's first Poet Laureate on
National Poetry Day (October 6, 2005) after a competition that drew national
attention. Living just outside the Peak District National Park, in the village of
Cowers Lane, near Belper, he is a regular visitor
to the wild places which have influenced his poems for 24 years."Natural
history is one of my inspirations," he said, "I'm a member of the
Derby Natural History Society and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and I'm
particularly keen on orchids, dragonflies and butterflies. Most days I'm out
in the countryside - and I'm glad if my poems can convey to others something
of the spirit of the Peak District."Alec
originated in Middlesex but has lived in Derbyshire for 35 years. Before early retirement he was a psychiatric social worker and family
therapist, and is now a freelance proofreader. Married for 41 years to Ishbel, they have three grown-up children.Alec
has had two poetry collections published by DerbyshireÕs Dragonheart
Press, "Under Stone" and "Mr Darcy's
Butterfly Collection", but would not have thought of entering the
competition had it not been for the urging of fellow-members of the Belper Writers' Group. He also belongs to Derby City
Poets and the Wirksworth Writers' Group."I really wasn't expecting to win," he
said, "but I was very pleased - it is an honour." september 2007 august 2007 july 2007 june 2007 may 2007 april 2007 march 2007 february 2007 january 2007 december 2006 november 2006 october 2006 september 2006 august 2006 july 2006 june 2006 (1) june 2006 (2) may 2006 april 2006 march 2006 february 2006 january 2006 |
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arts in the peak Bakewell Town Hall Bath Street Bakewell DE45 1BX 01629 810 122 |
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