Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Poet Laureate announced

Stoke-on-Trent’s very own Centenary Poet Laureate has been officially named at a city council meeting today (Thursday 24 October).

The Poet Laureate, an honorary position in the Council, was formally declared at the meeting where there was a reading of his poem, ‘A date with a Porthill poet’.

Nick Degg was named as the city’s Poet Laureate, and he is born and bred in Porthill.

His love of the city is reflected in many of his poems including ‘I Come From a Town’ which he read at the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Launch event at Gladstone Pottery Museum, in July this year.

His poems feature a range of writing styles, from bittersweet love poems, to ‘out and out’ comedic rants. He is also a multi-award-winning Poetry Slam finalist who describes himself as ‘probably the only poet with a whistled poem in his repertoire’.

Nick said: “I was delighted to be put forward for the role of Stoke-on-Trent Poet Laureate. I think that poetry has been seen as an elitist art-form for far too long, and I aim to take it to the people of this fine City, to prove that it can be entertaining, engaging, powerful and also fun. 

“Creativity is in our DNA in the Potteries and I’ll be doing some workshops to really tap into imaginations. I’ll also be working with musicians and organisations to place poetry into new environments, to maximise its appeal. 

“Poetry is for all of us, and I love to make people think: ‘Wow! I didn’t know poetry could make me laugh so much!’.

“Please people, get involved and let’s have a chuckle as well as hearing and creating some fine work.”

Nick joins poet, Stephen Seabridge, who was appointed as the city’s first Poet Laureate in 2017 in raising the profile of poetry in the area. In the same way that the national Poet Laureate composes poems for special events and occasions, Nick will represent the city through poetry throughout the Centenary year in 2025.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader, Councillor Jane Ashworth, said: “We are delighted to announce the position for Poet Laureate and to have Nick on board for the Centenary year.

“Nick is a local lad and through his art form, he speaks to us all. We can’t wait to hear more of his work as the year goes on. This is the first of many big announcements for the Centenary 2025, so watch this space.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is urging all residents to get involved in the Centenary and plan their own events for 2025.  For more about how to get involved visit: www.sot100.org.uk