Stamford’s Poet Laureate
Stamford is looking for a new poet laureate for 2025/2026, and with great responsibility comes great joy, says the current holder of the title, Caroline Avnit
It was love at first sight… just the sort of romantic notion that might inspire a hundred poems. Good thing too, as Stamford’s Poet Laureate needs to be quite prolific as well as being a creative ambassador for the town.
Since 2012 Stamford has appointed a Poet Laurete each year who works with the Town Hall and Stamford Arts Centre to mark important events and to encourage others to put pen to paper to celebrate the town’s unique heritage.
Though she was already a seasoned poet, Caroline Avnit wasn’t expecting to take up the position because she arrived in the town quite by accident back in October 2021. Having fallen under the town’s spell though, Caroline and her family have taken the advice of the sign on London Road which suggested they ‘stay awhile amid its ancient charm.’
“I’m originally from South Africa and we intended to travel in early 2020, but couldn’t have chosen a worse time as Covid was just about to change everybody’s plans.”
“We arrived in the UK to London in lockdown and ended up travelling extensively, including nine months in Edinburgh. Between, and following lockdowns we were able to visit places like Windsor, Bath and Bristol too. We hadn’t known about Stamford but we arrived one day by train, instantly falling in love with the town.”
“It seemed like a great place to settle and as we enjoyed getting to know the town a bit I soon found myself attending Stamford Arts Centre’s Pint of Poetry event which takes place on the last Wednesday of each month giving local poets the opportunity to develop and perform their work live to an appreciative and supportive group.”
Pint of Poetry was created by Karen Burrows of Stamford Arts Centre following Verse, the town’s successful spoken word festival in 2012.
The event has subsequently taken place every other year; the next event will run in April 2026 and as ever, it will be hosted by the town’s incumbent Poet Laureate.
Meanwhile, Caroline’s time in the role will conclude at the end of April when her successor will be appointed, and one of her final jobs will be to have a say in naming the town’s next Poet Laureate.
There’s a panel of judges including the Mayor of Stamford, Kelham Cooke, Caroline and Karen.
“We invite either budding or established poets to submit a poem, and we want to hear how they will use the role to reach out to people in the town.”
“One of the nicest features of the position is that every poet has brought something unique to the role, using their own skills or interests to further its potential.”
“In 2022/2023 Scott Coe had a real interest in visual and audio arts, so he used that to reach as many people as possible in addition to hosting live performances.”
“Other poets have taken their work into local schools or into residential homes to reach different groups in the town to ensure everyone has a voice in the town.”
“What’s nice about the panel is that we all approach the choice of town poet in a slightly different way, with the Mayor usually looking for someone who can act as a really strong ambassador for the town, promoting everything that we value about life in Stamford, and with the incumbent poet usually looking at the style of their work.”
“I’m looking for somebody who can bring imagination and adaptability to the role and write on a range of subjects from the role that nature plays in the changing look and feel of the town to events throughout the year from civic events to the Mid-Lent Fair, to Christmas celebrations.”
Among Caroline’s work has been poems to mark Remembrance Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which has yielded some really thoughtful words and helped to capture the occasion with respect and humanity.
“We’re inviting entries from 1st March with a closing date of Friday 18th April. From all of our entries we create a shortlist and invite them to Pint of Poetry on Wednesday 30th April when the winner will be chosen.”
Caroline’s time in the role of Poet Laureate has seen her craft poetic verse around subjects as diverse as the anniversary of D-Day or a visit from representatives of Stamford’s twinned town to the local Community Orchard Group’s Blossom Day.
She has also been interviewed by BBC Radio Lincolnshire and she hosted and warmed up the crowd when World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker brought his show to the town.
Caroline’s work can be found on Instagram (@mystamfordlife) and the poet has also used to opportunity to publish two volumes of her work; All the Birds in October and Walk in the Light in December, both available via Amazon and closer to home at Walkers Bookshop.
“There’s a bit of pressure knowing you have to write to order, however I soon learnt to write less form the head and more from the heart,” Caroline admits.
“There’s usually plenty of notice, though, and there’s always plenty of inspiration to be drawn from the fact that wherever you look, everybody loves Stamford and everyone is happy to celebrate life in our super town.”
“I personally credit divine intervention, but I guess it depends on whether you believe in God, fate or just luck… nonetheless, I’m so glad to have found Stamford.”
“It’s a wonderful place and being able to live, and a great source of inspiration for a poet!”
To put yourself forward as Stamford’s next poet laureate, complete the entry form online at www.stamfordartscentre.com, entries are open from 1st March to 18th April.
See our full feature in the March edition of Stamford Pride at https://issuu.com/pridemagazines/docs/stamford_pride_march_2025