28-01-2025
'Seven things found in my mum's Amazon delivery' clinches poem prize
West Yorkshire's newest 'Young Poet Laureates' have been announced by Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and the nation's Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage.
The announcement follows a region-wide search, and the entering in of hundreds of poems by pupils in school years four and nine, after a programme launch by the National Literacy Trust in October.
Professional poets have since worked with teachers to encourage children to unleash their creativity, demonstrating how writing and communication skills can help unlock lifelong opportunities.
Max from Pontefract won the Year Four category with his poem 'Seven things found in my mum's Amazon delivery.'
Ayeshah from Calderdale impressed the judges in the older group to win with her poem 'Primadonna.'
The 2025 winners will take over from West Yorkshire's first-ever Young Poet Laureates, Alina Brdar and Isabelle Walker.
The latter pair have performed at several high-profile events in the region over the past 12 months, including the annual Convention of the North, the British Library's 50th anniversary celebrations, and the BBC's Contains Strong Language festival.
Ms Brabin said: "Alina and Isabelle have been phenomenal ambassadors for young creativity in our region over the past year, and I can't wait to see Max and Ayeshah follow in their footsteps.
"Our region is bursting with talent and opportunities, and all of these incredible young poets have bright futures ahead of them.
"We're building a region of learning and creativity in West Yorkshire, where young people are empowered to follow their passions and contribute to a stronger, brighter region."
Sharena Lee Satti, project manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: "Writing for pleasure among children and young people in Yorkshire and the Humber is at an all-time low.
"We want to ensure that no child misses out on the valuable wellbeing benefits of writing for pleasure.
"The West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureate is empowering children across the region to rediscover the joys of writing and to express themselves through poetry.
"Our winners Max and Ayeshah will now go on to serve as our second cohort of West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates and help inspire their peers throughout the region to pick up a pen and give poetry a go."
West Yorkshire's two new laureates were officially appointed by the mayor at a celebration event held at Mind The Gap in Bradford on January 26.
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