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08
May 2021
The UK's Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will be reading at the fourth Ripon Poetry Festival, which will return to the city from October 7-10.
The festival was founded in 2017 by three Ripon-based poets, Andy Croft, David McAndrew and Paul Mills.
Born in Marsden, West Yorkshire, Armitage has been the UK's Poet Laureate since 2019. It is a government-appointed position that dates back to 1668. He is also a professor of poetry at the University of Leeds.
Mr Mills told the Stray Ferret they wanted to have a big name appear at the festival after it was cancelled last year due to covid. Previous speakers include renowned writers and poets Ian McMillan and Michael Rosen.
He said:
Ripon venues that will be taking part in the festival will be announced at a later date.
Organisers have launched a poetry competition, with the best entries on any subject published in a book that will be sold at the festival.
The deadline for entries is July 23 and poems can be submitted on any subject to submissions@riponpoetryfestival.co.uk.
The entry cost per poem is below:
Children: £1
11 to 16-year-olds: £2
Adults: £3 or £5 for two poems
Schools: £10 for 20 poems.
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