Council to Makar more work for poet laureates
Stirling Council’s next Makar looks set to be kept busy with more than poetry.
The area has had a Makar, or official poet, since 2009, with the latest holder of the post Clive Wright (pictured) finishing his three year appointment in February of this year.
The council’s civic office agreed the role - which carries an annual honorary payment of £1000 - should continue but that the role should be given “more visibility”.
Now a refreshed “job description” is set to be discussed at tomorrow’s (Thursday) meeting of the council’s Provost’s Panel.
The revised remit would see the new Makar expected to write and perform one poem per year in celebration of the Stirling area, select a monthly poet or poem - local if possible - for publication on the council’s website, and assist in promoting poetry throughout the area in partnership with local groups and relevant council teams including libraries and archives, schools, culture and events, and learning and employability.
Five one-hour school poetry tutorial sessions a year plus support of events during Mental Health Awareness Week, Smallprint Book Festival, Book Week Scotland and National Poetry Day is also included along with performance and workshops in libraries and other settings.
There would also be scheduled poetry reading and writing sessions at residential care homes, libraries, Cornton Vale Women’s Prison, Forth Valley Recovery Community, and dementia cafes.
In the report due before tomorrow’s panel meeting, regeneration and inclusive service manager Lesley Gallagher added: “The Makar would also be expected to report quarterly on achievements to the Provost’s Panel. It is further suggested that they engage regularly with the economic development, culture and tourism service via quarterly meetings with the libraries and archives team leader and the culture and events manager.”
The Stirling Makar, or Poet Laureate, is a ceremonial position that dates back to the reign of James IV.
Revived in 2009 with the appointment of Magi Gibson, she was followed by Anita Govan in 2012 then Clive Wright.
Nominations are expected to be accepted from July 1 until August 19, with the Provost’s Panel approving an appointment by the end of September and the new Makar being in place from October.