Derbyshire poet laureate

Ann Atkinson took up the role on National Poetry Day, Thursday 8 October 2009, and will be working with us over the next two years to celebrate Derbyshire through poetry.

Ann says: "Writing poetry, working with students and fellow writers, has been central to my life for many years.

"Recently, in my role as Poet Laureate of the Peak, I spent several days meeting people at Bakewell Show; this proved to be a rich source of material for a set of poems.

"So I look forward to meeting more people, in more and more places in Derbyshire, people who have stories to tell and poems to write...and I hope I'll be writing some too!"

Ann picks up the laureate baton from the previous Derbyshire Poet Laureates River Wolton and Cathy Grindrod.

Events:

Join Ann, and former Derbyshire Poet Laureate River Wolton, at Chesterfield Library on 28 January 2010, at 11am, when they will be helping to celebrate the Library's 25th anniversary.

Ann will also be reading a selection of poems, inspired by Valentine's Day, at Belper Library on Wednesday 17 February 2010, 7.30pm.
Admission is free but please book places in advance.
Contact Belper Library on 01773 824333 for more details and to book a place.

On National Poetry Day 2009 Ann spent time at County Hall, Matlock talking to people about their favourite parts of the building, which was originally developed as a Hydropathic Hotel, by John Smedley in the 1850’s.
To tie in with the National Poetry Day theme of ‘Heroes and Heroines’, she also asked people what super power they would like to have, and how would they use it.

In response to their ideas and comments Ann wrote the poem John Smedley Visits County Hall - you can read the poem in the related documents section on this page.