Therapist and counsellor Ross Ayres has been crowned the new Poet Laureate for a Lincolnshire market town.
He won through open auditions in front of a judging panel to be named honorary Stamford Poet Laureate.
Ross, based in Paston, near Peterborough, is a regular contributor to the monthly Pint of Poetry evenings organised by South Kesteven District Council at Stamford Arts Centre. He will now be preparing to bring his original verse to a series of civic events and local commissions during his year in office.
He said: “I am over the moon with winning the Laureate role.
“I hope I can serve the local poetry scene with authenticity and help grow the already thriving community. I want to showcase the connective power of poetry and help bring the poet out in those that are hesitant or emerging.”
Ross describes himself as an experienced therapist and spoken word artist. His work in verse is rooted in psychology and delivered with a unique, gritty style, exploring the raw edges of human suffering, resilience, and triumph.
Drawing from real-life experiences and emotional depth, he crafts poetry that he says challenges and connects - offering “insight, empathy, and a powerful voice for the voiceless”.
SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Paul Stokes, who is also Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “This was a fantastic evening and congratulations must go to all our finalists who are all first-class performers and writers.
“Thanks also go to all those who came along to watch and listen at this superb council-run venue in the heart of Stamford, which hosts events ranging from spoken word through to screening the latest Hollywood blockbusters.”
The poetry scene in Stamford is back at the Arts Centre with Pint of Poetry on Wednesday 28th May, when poet, playwright, script writer and lecturer James McDermott will be performing in the Gallery Bar. He will be reading from his new collection ‘Father Myself’ and chatting about his work.
Future poetry events – and all shows, workshops and screenings at the Stamford Arts Centre – can be found online www.stamfordartscentre.com/whats-on/stamford-poetry-events
