October 20, 2015 11.34 am This story is over 114 months old

Lincoln-born Young Poet Laureate to spark writing talent in county’s schools

Young poet: A Lincoln poet who threw his work away because he thought it was not good enough has become the county’s first ever Young Poet Laureate.
Lincolnshire's first ever Young Poet Laureate Peter Latimer

A Lincoln poet who threw his work away because he thought it was not good enough has become the county’s first ever Young Poet Laureate.

Peter Latimer, born in 1998, will be visiting schools across the county this year to talk to youngsters about writing and producing an anthology of their work.

The A-Level student started writing poetry when he was 13 but threw his poems away because he didn’t want other people to find them.

But now his work has been recognised by judges working on behalf of the Poets Laureate Lincolnshire Landscape programme – aligned to the 2015 Magna Carta celebrations and funded by Lincolnshire County Council and Arts Council England.

Peter said: “I was interested in the role of Young Poet Laureate as soon as I heard about it through my English teacher and I realised I could make some difference to young people’s views on poetry.

“The most rewarding part about this position so far is that when I told my family and friends the news they were all very supportive and very proud of me for this incredible opportunity.

“I must say I am excited about going to these different schools; it gives me the chance to show them that poetry doesn’t need to be boring, it doesn’t need to be something you only study, but in fact it’s something you connect with, something you relate to – whether it makes you happy, sad, angry or glad – it’s something incredible which is waiting to be read.

“It will also give me the chance to show them that anyone can write poetry, it doesn’t have to be something to share with anyone, it could just be something for your own enjoyment, and that it can be about anything.”

David Lambert, from Lincoln-based cultural solutions UK, the artistic directors and executive producers of the project said they were delighted that Peter would be inspiring a new generation of creative writers.

He added: “Peter has a rare talent and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to help spark and nurture the writing talent we will undoubtedly have in Lincolnshire.”