Poetry Corner. Poet Laureateship Update.
As promised to those that have applied. Don't worry the process is still ongoing.
The Guardian reports that the latest front-runner, Imtiaz Dharker ,Pakistani born but raised in Glasgow joins the growing list of declinees.
These include Wendy Cope Jackie Kay, Alice Oswald and Benjamin Zephaniah, clearly not impressed with the stipend for the 10 year stint of £5,750 every year and, traditionally, a “butt of sack”, equivalent to roughly 600 bottles of Sherry.
Although Spurs fans beware as we will be very preoccupied over the next few years with winning the Premiership and the Champions' League and the Laureateship can be very distracting.
Andrew Motion who was Laureate from 1999 to 2009, called the role '' very damaging to my work''
(Not exactly Poetry in Motion I'm afraid) You have been warned.
Many other likely candidates have switched to UK’s second most prestigious poetry position: the Oxford Professor of Poetry and Spurs Community aspiring poets might consider this as an option.
At least it's an open honest appointment unlike the Laureateship which is shrouded in mystery and privilege. It pays slightly more but without the Sherry which some might see as an advantage.
It's not without its intrigue though as a recent appointee Ruth Padel resigned after nine days in 2009 after allegations that she tipped off journalists about sexual harrassment claims against her rival Derek Walcott. What larks.
We are waiting now for Theresa May to find a gap in her diary amidst the ongoing saga of Brexit
to study the lists and make a recommendation for theLaureateship, to the Queen I assume.
The early May deadline has already passed so don't hold your breaths.
Meanwhile we have other pressing matters to attend to.
Update as and when.
JimmyG2 reading the Guardian so you don't have to.
As promised to those that have applied. Don't worry the process is still ongoing.
The Guardian reports that the latest front-runner, Imtiaz Dharker ,Pakistani born but raised in Glasgow joins the growing list of declinees.
These include Wendy Cope Jackie Kay, Alice Oswald and Benjamin Zephaniah, clearly not impressed with the stipend for the 10 year stint of £5,750 every year and, traditionally, a “butt of sack”, equivalent to roughly 600 bottles of Sherry.
Although Spurs fans beware as we will be very preoccupied over the next few years with winning the Premiership and the Champions' League and the Laureateship can be very distracting.
Andrew Motion who was Laureate from 1999 to 2009, called the role '' very damaging to my work''
(Not exactly Poetry in Motion I'm afraid) You have been warned.
Many other likely candidates have switched to UK’s second most prestigious poetry position: the Oxford Professor of Poetry and Spurs Community aspiring poets might consider this as an option.
At least it's an open honest appointment unlike the Laureateship which is shrouded in mystery and privilege. It pays slightly more but without the Sherry which some might see as an advantage.
It's not without its intrigue though as a recent appointee Ruth Padel resigned after nine days in 2009 after allegations that she tipped off journalists about sexual harrassment claims against her rival Derek Walcott. What larks.
We are waiting now for Theresa May to find a gap in her diary amidst the ongoing saga of Brexit
to study the lists and make a recommendation for theLaureateship, to the Queen I assume.
The early May deadline has already passed so don't hold your breaths.
Meanwhile we have other pressing matters to attend to.
Update as and when.
JimmyG2 reading the Guardian so you don't have to.