Cheshire poet laureate at Neston Library

Jan 23 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

A NEW poet laureate for Cheshire took his crown on Friday at Neston library in preparation for two years of reading, writing and publicising the written verse.

W Terry Fox, a lecturer in contemporary arts, said: “I have been writing poetry all my life.

“I have always written songs as well and play instruments including the guitar, mandolin and the fiddle.

“In my poetry I write about my relationship with the world.”

Terry is married to sculptor Lynda and has a 27-year-old daughter, Amy.

He has written a biography called Battling Jack and had a poetry collection published entitled Dance of Fools.

He said: “I became aware of the Poet Laureate Scheme when the then laureate Harry Owen taught a poetry class in 2003 at Manchester University.

“Lynda suggested I go in for it, so I sent in a letter of application and bundles of my poetry.”

The Cheshire Poet Laureate Scheme was launched on National Poetry Day 2002 with the aims of raising the profile of local poets and improving the profile of poetry across the country.

Each new laureate is usually appointed annually but Terry is the first poet to hold the post for more than a year.

At the end of the two years, he will publish a collection of his work.

Jo Bell, last year’s Poet Laureate, said: “Being an ambassador for poetry is a great opportunity.”