Wolverhampton's next Young Poet Laureate and Primary Poet Champion have been officially appointed – and invited to perform at this weekend’s annual Literature Festival.
Wolverhampton’s Library Service asked children and young people aged eight and over to write a poem of any style about the environment entitled 'If the animals of the world could talk…'.
Everyone who took part was then asked to vote for their favourite poem from all of those submitted - with those who received the most votes in both the Young Poet Laureate and Primary Poet Champion competitions asked to perform their poem in front of a panel of judges so an overall winner in each category could be found. After much deliberation, Olga Suta was named Young Poet Laureate for 2023, while Daisy Beardsmore was named Primary Poet Champion. Meanwhile, all the finalists have had their poem published in an anthology.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Young Poet Laureate and Primary Poet Champion competitions give young people the chance to have their voices heard by thousands of people across the city.
"It was wonderful to see such creative young minds at work and I thoroughly enjoyed reading and hearing their poems. Well done everyone."
Daisy said: "I was really happy to find out I am the new Primary Poet Champion. I can’t wait to get involved in events at the library and share my poetry with others.”
