Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate 2020 announced

Warwickshire County Council is thrilled to announce that the position of Young Poet Laureate 2020 has been awarded to Ruby Murphy, a pupil from Rugby High School.

This is a unique position giving a young person an opportunity to work with Warwickshire Libraries. The Young Poet Laureate takes part in events and activities across the county under the mentorship of a professional poet – this year, the role is being undertaken by Birmingham-based poet, Jasmine Gardosi.

Ruby was selected from a shortlist of high-calibre candidates during a selection day on 18 January where each candidate was interviewed and performed to an audience of 60 of their friends and families at Rugby Library.

During the day the shortlisted candidates also worked with professional poet Fergus McGonigal. Fergus gave advice on the creative process and tips on how to perform poetry. The audience were also treated to some of his own work, as well as performances by all the shortlisted candidates, the outgoing Young Poet Laureate, Hannah Owens and poet, Jasmine Gardosi.

This was the sixth Young Poet Laureate competition, run by Warwickshire Libraries, and supported by Poetry on Loan, an initiative supported by Arts Council England that promotes contemporary poetry throughout public libraries in the West Midlands.

This year’s short-listed candidates were:

• Niamh Chalmers, Rugby High School
• Ruby Murphy, Rugby High School
• Grace Ridley, King Edward VI School
• Elise Scotney, Rugby High School
• Jolyon Summerfield, Kineton High School
• Shona Whelan, Rugby High School

Also in attendance were the Mayor of Rugby, County Councillor Bill Lewis and representatives from Warwickshire Libraries who presented certificates and prizes to the winner and runners up.

Poetry Slam at Nuneaton Library

In June 2020, Warwickshire Libraries will also be partnering with Warwickshire Schools Library Service, Poetry on Loan, local schools and poets to hold a Poetry Slam at Nuneaton Library. In the run up to the main event, students from the schools involved will join workshops with local poets to write their own poems and develop their performance skills.

If your school is interested in taking part in future activity, please contact schoolslibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk for more information.