Inspire Rotherham is launching an exciting opportunity to become Rotherham’s first Poet Laureate. The award is open to all ages and the winner will be announced at the Rotherham Book Awards in July. We’re looking for 1, 2 or a group of people to produce an original piece of poetry and film themselves performing it.
What is a Poet Laureate?
A Poet Laureate was originally appointed for life by a British Monarch as a member of the royal household and expected to write poems celebrating occasions of national importance. After the death of the then Poet Laureate Ted Hughes in 1999 the post was changed to a fixed term of 10 years. Many of the recent Poet Laureates such as Andrew Motion have used the position to champion the reading and writing of poetry.
Did you know?
The term ‘laureate’ is related to the laurel wreath, which would crown the head of great writers or poets. It is a symbol of Apollo, the Greek god of wisdom. Therefore the title of Poet Laureate indicates the poet is exceptionally skilled and wise.
Rotherham’s Poet Laureate…
We want the poem to be:
- Visual
- Promoting and championing literacy (a poem about communication, reading writing or body language would be great!).
- Positive
- Original
- Powerful
We want you to be as creative as you want so the poem can be musical, theatrical or simple. For an example of a simple yet moving piece of poetry being recited click on this link
http://www.teachers.tv/video/38046 and go to the downloads section, click on ‘full resources: lesson on a plate’ where you will find a video.
Reasons to enter…
We will be showcasing the entries we get from the competition at the Rotherham Book Awards and on the Rotherham portal site
www.rgfl.org/inspire.
There will also be a trophy given to the individual or group winners along with a flip video camera, certificate and selection of books. The winner or group will also receive mentoring in order to develop their public speaking skills this will include a one on one session with an author or presenter. They will also become an ‘ambassador’ for Inspire Rotherham, speaking at public events as well as receiving support with creative writing, presentation skills or comedy.
The winning entry will be submitted to national competitions and the National Literacy Trust.
Video Footage.
The video footage should not be longer than 5 minutes. Most schools and children’s centres have flip video cameras which can be used to film the footage. If your school doesn’t have flip cameras School Effectiveness ICT team can loan these out and also offer support on filming and editing.
Holiday clubs, out of school activity clubs and families can either contact their local school or children’s centre in order to use the flip videos or use their own equipment.
DVD disks with the video
footage on should be sent to:
Emily Beevers
Inspire Rotherham
Cent
Sheffield Road
Templeborough
Rotherham
S60 1DX
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS
FRIDAY 11TH JUNE 2010!
If you have any further questions please contact:
Emily Beevers
Contact Number: 01709 336801/ 07920 285 571
*Entries can only be accepted from people living in the Rotherham borough.