Staffordshire Poet Laureate
Staffordshire Poet Laureate
The Staffordshire Poet Laureate runs poetry events and encourages more people in Staffordshire to enjoy poetry and creative writing. The Laureate also acts as an ambassador for Staffordshire, promoting attractions, events and items that are specifically recognised as being associated with Staffordshire.
The Staffordshire Poet Laureate programme has been running in the county since 2014, with 2024 marking its eleventh wonderful year.
Meet your new Poet Laureate
Scarlett Ward, the new Staffordshire Poet Laureate, had a few words to say about her new role and what poetry means to her personally, as well as about the impact she feels it has on the wider community.
Watch Scarlett's video now.
More about Staffordshire's Poets Laureate
Staffordshire Poet Laureate 2024-26
The current Staffordshire Poet Laureate is Scarlett Ward, a Staffordshire-born poet and publisher working in the heart of the Midlands.
Her debut collection 'Ache' was published by Verve Press in 2019, and since then she was shortlisted for the Women's Poet's Prize, hosted workshops for the BBC and performed at literary festivals from across the Midlands.
Through her award-winning independent publishing company founded in 2021, Fawn Press, she prints pamphlets of poetry from emerging writers across the UK and was awarded Arts Council Funding in 2024 to continue this work.
Scarlett says;
"It means the world to me to be entrusted with the role of Staffordshire Poet Laureate, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with members of the community to bring poetry into the spotlight.
“I hope that through my work I am able to share the joy that poems can spark, both in those new to the craft as well as those who already find home upon the page. Staffordshire has a long history of esteemed Laureates, and it is an honour to have my name amongst them."
Scarlett’s work will be reflected through Fawn Press website and Fawn Press Publisher Of Poetry (@fawnpress) on Instagram.
Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate 2024-25
The current Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate is Harry Fletcher.
Harry is currently studying at Codsall Community High School and aspires to become a journalist. His passion for poetry has led him to win a recent Young Writers competition where his work will be published.
Harry says;
“Being appointed to the role is gratifying and I can’t wait to start my duties. Over my year as young laureate I am ambitious about encouraging a new generation of writers.
“My aspiration in the role is to endeavour the future of poetry in and around Staffordshire, through the promotion of literature and exciting events.”
People can follow Harry’s work on his new Instagram page Fletcher Poetry (@hfletcher.poetry) and
The young poet will be mentored and supported by the current Staffordshire Poet Laureate and hold the position for twelve months commencing on National Poetry Day.
Former Poets Laureate
Staffordshire Poet Laureate
2022-24 Dawn Jutton
2019-21 Mel Woodend
2017-19 Emily Rose Galvin
2015-17 Bert Flitcroft
2014-15 Gary Longden
Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate
2023-24 Trinity Davis
2022-23 Mina Tideswell
2021-22 Erin Gascoigne-Jones
2019-20 Ollie Hulme
2018-19 Lily Massey
2017-18 Rebecca Lockwood
2016-17 Isobel Horsley
2015-16 Matilda Houston-Brown
Staffordshire Poetry Collection
In 2016, Poet Laureate Bert Flitcroft helped develop a Staffordshire Poetry Collection with the aim to create a picture of the county in words, to capture its diversity and in so doing help to create a cultural identity and awareness for the county as a whole.
The collection can be borrowed from Staffordshire Libraries or purchased online:
A Staffordshire Poetry Collection: Fifty Poems by Contemporary Staffordshire Poets – online catalogue
A Staffordshire Poetry Collection (clayhangerpress.co.uk)