Poet Steven Beattie has officially taken up the role of Stoke-on-Trent Poet Laureate following a handover event with outgoing laureate Nick Degg.
The Laureate to Laureate event took place at Stoke-on-Trent City Archives as part of the 100 Bookshelf project, a celebration of 100 years of writing in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.
Steven was appointed following a competition supported by Stoke-on-Trent Libraries to find the next Poet Laureate
Born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, Steven draws heavily on the city’s history, culture and communities in his work. His poem ‘Ow at Duck’ celebrates local landmarks, dialect and everyday life in the Potteries.
Steven, an Assistant Theatre Practitioner at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, has written creatively since childhood. He turned to poetry as a way of managing anxiety during the pandemic.
He describes himself as an “outlaw poet” who challenges traditional ideas about what poetry should be and who it is for.
Nick Degg, the former Poet Laureate, said: “It’s great to know that the council and libraries are supporting and promoting the Poet Laureateship.
"It’s vital for aspiring poets to know that they will be given a platform to explore way beyond their normal circles. To have organisations, arts foundations and the like inviting you to be involved in projects is a wonderful way of expanding not just your writing skills, but to open doors you didn’t even know were there.
“Poetry is a magical art form, and the more people we can reach with our passion and enthusiasm, the better it will be for its future as a vibrant and important strand of literature.”
Steven Beattie, the new Stoke-on-Trent Poet Laureate, said: “As I step into the role of Poet Laureate, I want to begin by offering my thanks to Centenary Laureate, Nick Degg for his dedication, creativity, and the lasting mark he has left on poetry within our community. His work has laid a vibrant foundation that I am proud to build upon, and I’m certain his future writing will continue to carry forward his remarkable legacy.
“During my tenure, I hope to champion poetry which breaks boundaries and challenges expectations because poetry should be accessible to all. It’s a powerful way to express emotion, to tell your story, and to make sense of who you are and how you view the world. This is best achieved when we embrace freedom, authenticity and raw expression.
“With the continued support of our local arts and cultural organisations, alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council, I believe poetry can move to the forefront of our city’s creative life. Together, we can nurture voices, inspire new writers, and ensure poetry thrives as a living, breathing part of our cultural identity.“
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Steven will be a fantastic ambassador for poetry and for Stoke-on-Trent.
“I’d also like to thank Nick Degg for everything he’s achieved during his time as Centenary Poet Laureate. When we appointed Nick, he promised to get poetry everywhere and he’s absolutely delivered.
“He’s performed the iconic ‘I Come from a Town’ to the full orchestral backing of the North Staffs Symphony Orchestra and read ‘I Lost my Girl to an Alpine Pop Man’ from the top of a fire engine.
“I know Steven will build on that work, making poetry accessible and using it to share our heritage, our culture and our people.”
Alongside Steve, Cameron Hart-Fenton has also been appointed as the inaugural Stoke-on-Trent Young Poet Laureate and award-winning local author and illustrator Kate Leake as the city’s first ever Creativity Laureate.
For more information on the 100 Bookshelf events at Stoke-on-Trent City Archives go to: https://www.staffordshirehistory.org.uk/events/
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