Stratford pupil crowned Warwickshire's Young Poet Laureate 2021 - The Stratford Observer

Stratford pupil crowned Warwickshire's Young Poet Laureate 2021

Stratford Editorial 15th Nov, 2021   0

A BUDDING creative from Stratford has been crowned Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate 2021.

King Edward VI pupil Daniel Wale received the Laureateship which will allow him to develop his writing skills and take part in events across the county.

Daniel will also be mentored by multiple slam champion Jasmine Gardosi, who is a Birmingham Poet Laureate finalist and recent winner of the Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry.

Her work has also appeared on Button Poetry, at the Tate Modern, Glastonbury Festival, BBC Radio 3’s The Verb, Radio 4 and BBC Asian Network.




Daniel, who has also been named as one of this year’s Foyle Young Poets of the Year, was crowned Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate winner following a virtual selection day in October.

Four candidates from King Edward VI School, Rugby High School, and Stratford Girl’s Grammar took part in a 90-minute workshop with stand-up poet Johnny Fluffypunk, who shared creative tips on how to deliver poetry performances.


The candidates each took part in virtual interviews, delivering a poetry performance and answering a series of questions.

Following his victory, Daniel delivered his first onstage poetry performance, alongside Coventry’s Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones, at Coleshill Library’s Poetry Evening.

The event kicked off with four open mic spot poets, showcasing a mixture of thought provoking and fun poetry, followed by Daniel and Emilie’s poetry pieces.

The event was Coleshill Library’s first adult attended event since the Covid-19 lockdowns took place, and was attended by a mixture of library staff and the poets’ friends and families. Previously in October the four shortlisted candidates were also provided the opportunity to attend the Leamington Poetry Festival.

Warwickshire County Council libraries spokeswoman Kam Kaur said: “Now in its seventh year, Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate scheme is a wonderful opportunity to inspire our younger generations to experience poetry, whether it be writing or performing their own, or reading and listening to others. Over the years, our Laureates have inspired hundreds of young people with their love of poetry by leading workshops, appearing on film and radio and at festivals, and have helped to share the message that poetry is accessible to everyone.

“I am delighted that we are able to offer this opportunity with the continued support of Poetry on Loan and wish Daniel a successful and exciting year as Young Poet Laureate 2021.”

The competition is run by Warwickshire Libraries and supported by Poetry on Loan, an initiative from Arts Council England that promotes contemporary poetry.

Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youngpoetlaureate for more information on the scheme.

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