We are very pleased to announce Rob Ellks as Stamford's 2020 Poet Laureate.

The 2020 Poet Laureate Final was held virtually on the conference app Zoom, on Wednesday 29 April. Under normal circumstances, this event would have kicked off Verse festival for the weekend, however we are very pleased to be able to announce the new Poet Laureate for 2020 instead.

After a selection of finalists performed for the Zoom audience, the judges; Karen Burrows Verse Festival Coordinator, Chris Martin 2019 Poet Laureate and Maxine Couch Stamford Deputy Mayor, announced Rob Ellks to take up the mantle!

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It is in the interest of safety and all of our audiences, poets and staff wellbeing concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19),  SKDC have taken the decision to close Stamford Arts Centre until 1 June, and therefore Verse Festival 2020 has been cancelled.

 We are so sad to see it go, this would have been Stamford's fifth festival of poetry and spoken word, and early sales were better than they have ever been. Verse will be back next year, so keep an eye on our social media for updates, until then we apologise for the inconvenience, but believe it is in the best interests of all.

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Verse Festival 29 April – 3 May 2020

Verse will be rescheduled for 2021