Hampshire Poet invited to remain in role for a further year.

Damian Kelly-Basher, Hampshire Poet

After two successful years in tenure, Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust have invited Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - to remain in the role for a further year. 

In the National Year of Reading, this unprecedented extension was decided to allow Damian to continue his extraordinary work engaging people in Hampshire with poetry.

During his initial two year tenure he has visited spoken word open-mics throughout Hampshire; curated a Festival of Surrealism; has written poems for Winchester City Council, Winchester Green Week, Artful Scribe’s Women and Science event; has provided workshops in schools, hospitals, community centres and libraries; has curated and performed his own work at Winchester Poetry Festival, Winchester Heritage Open Days, in pubs, colleges, festivals, train stations and on a vintage bus! He writes a monthly blog post exploring different forms of poetry, and as well as helping people express themselves through creative writing, Damian is passionate about providing a platform for other emerging poets in the area.

Damian Kelly-Basher says: “I'm delighted to continue working as The Hampshire Poet. The role has really opened up new experiences and helped me grow as a professional poet. I'll carry on supporting writers across the County, working with schools, museums, arts organisations and communities. I'm also looking forward to collaborating with artists, musicians, performers, and other poets…  Over the last 2 years I've met around 4000 people. They came from all sorts of backgrounds, cultures and ages. I've met them through performances, workshops, commissions, public events and professional networking.”

The Hampshire Poet programme has been in place since 2008 with the chosen candidate spending two years acting as an advocate for poets and poetry throughout the county. The role includes providing workshops and performances, visiting schools and community groups, writing commissioned work and judging the annual Hampshire Young Poets’ competition.

Jane Bryant, Winchester Poetry Festival Chair of Trustees, says: “Winchester Poetry festival and our partners, Hampshire Cultural Trust, are delighted to have agreed a further year’s extension of the work of our current Hampshire Poet Damian Kelly-Basher. There is no doubt that over the last two years, Damian has achieved a tremendous and diverse reach right across Hampshire and beyond.  The role of the Hampshire Poet aims to increase access to poetry in all its forms and provide diverse opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to be inspired and excited by poetry. This is about engagement, empowerment, participation, and inclusion, with many entry points, celebrating, facilitating & showcasing diverse voices and life experiences. And we are delighted to be able to extend this excellent work.”

The Hampshire Poet scheme is run in partnership between Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust. 

The work of the Hampshire Poet offers a facilitating platform to those from all backgrounds in Hampshire inspiring creativity and connection through wordplay. Engaging with people of all ages and abilities, the Hampshire Poet aims to develop individual and community voices by leading workshops, giving readings, and co-crafting commissioned poems.