For the third year running, in ajoint project between the PoetrySociety and the Royal Norwegian
Embassy, the Trafalgar Square tree iswrapped with a poem this Christmas,in celebration of the City of Oslo’sannual gift to London. Three childrenfrom St Mary of the Angels PrimarySchool in the London Borough ofWestminster read the poem out loud atthe lighting ceremony on 1 Decemberas the white lights of the tree wereswitched on for the first time.
The ‘Look North More Often’project brings together establishedpoets and schoolchildren to create thepoem that surrounds the tree. Thisyear, five poets, including LindsayMacRae, shown below, worked with
children from twelve schools: eleven inLondon and one in Immingham,Lincolnshire (the port where the treeenters the UK). They wrote poems onthe theme of ‘journeys’, imagining thejourney of the tree from a forestoutside Oslo to pride of place at theheart of London.
Kevin Crossley-Holland, who hasbeen involved with ‘Look North MoreOften’ from the outset, was present atthis year’s felling ceremony. As he toldthe Guardian, “I joined three Englishprimary school children, their teacherand several parties of Norwegianchildren in a silent forest outside Oslo– a magical place lit up by silvery hoar-frost and the sheer voltage of everyone’sexcitement. We stared into a crackling
pine fire, ate stew, sang, joined handsand swore lasting friendship, and we allwitnessed the felling of the treedestined for Trafalgar Square.” Headded, “There could not be a moresymbolic gift than a tree, for aNorwegian. The giving of a great treeas a gesture of gratitude is simple andprofound.”
This year’s finished poem waswritten by Roger McGough, weavingtogether the words and ideas of thechildren from all twelve schools. Hesaid, “Working with the kids, andpeople like Chrissie Gittins and KevinCrossley-Holland, hearing their stories,looking at their lines and puttingsomething new together – somethingthat’s theirs and mine and that’s apoem... it really sparks me off.” Mayorof Oslo Fabian Stang said simply: “It isgood to be in a forest. It is good to bewith children. It is good to give a gift.”
The poets who worked on theproject were Chrissie Gittins, DavidHarmer, Cheryl Moskowitz, CoralRumble and Lindsay MacRae. Theyled projects in schools in the Londonboroughs of Camden, Islington,Lewisham and Westminster, andAllerton Primary School, Immingham.
Poetry NewsWinter 2011 The newsletter of the Poetry Society www.poetrysociety.org.uk
McGough –a Presidentto please...
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WHAT WAS THE BEST POETRY OF 2011? HAVE YOUR SAY Suggestions for the 2011 Ted Hughes Award for NewWork in Poetry must be in by 6 January 2012
The Poetry Society is delightedto announce Roger McGoughas the Society’s new President.
McGough, one of Britain’s best-loved poets, has been described byCarol Ann Duffy as the “patron saint ofpoetry”. He has written or appeared inover 50 books for people of all ages,and is a great advocate for the art form.
Describing it as an “honour tobecome the Society’s new President” andto follow in the footsteps of predecessorssuch as Jo Shapcott, Paul Muldoon,and Dannie Abse, McGough said: “Ibelieve that poetry will become morerelevant and important over the comingyears, and an efficient and well-runPoetry Society should be there toembrace it.”
His appointment as President,having been a member since the 1970sand a Vice President, brings experience,vitality and an irrepressible wit to therole. Jo Shapcott welcomed him,saying: “We know Roger McGough forhis strong connection with poetryreaders, his generosity to other poets,
and the range and brio of his ownwork. All this makes him a wonderfulnew President for the Poetry Society.”
McGough takes up his position atan exciting time for the Society as itlooks forward to expanding itsprogrammes. As his first assignment asPresident, McGough has contributed tothe 2011 ‘Look North More Often’project (see left).
McGough’s next grand plan is ‘TheDoors of Liverpool’, an exhibition thathe is currently working on withstudents of Liverpool John MooresUniversity, with doors donated by thepublic. It will be shown at the newMuseum of Liverpool early next year.
Poet Laureate and Poetry SocietyVice President Carol Ann Duffycelebrated the announcement, saying:“Roger McGough, a much-lovedperformer, children’s poet, and NationalTreasure, is a lovely, popular choice asthe Poetry Society’s new President.”
� To read our interview with RogerMcGough, turn to page 3.
“Like a freedom flag unfurled”
Roger McGough. Photo by HayleyMadden for the Poetry Society
Lindsay MacRae and children of St Georges School, Westminster. Photos Hayley Madden/ The Poetry Society
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Now is the time to send your recommendations to the judges of The Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry. It is easy to email via the Poetry Society website. TURN TO PAGE 3 FOR DETAILS
A tiger comes to tea at the Poetry Café see page 2
from ‘Roots’ this year’s tree poemLike a poem around a treeLike a freedom flag unfurledA homeless refugeeI have travelled round the world
from ‘Roots’ this year’s tree poemLights, camera, action!A switch is pulledand I light up like an angel.
