THE Poet Laureate will be presenting a special evening of poetry at Salisbury Cathedral later next month.
Simon Armitage will be in Salisbury on Wednesday May 29 to celebrate the launch of his new book Blossomise.
Blossomise was commissioned by the National Trust as part of their annual blossom programme and has beautiful illustrations by renowned natural history artist Angela Harding.
It is already a Sunday Times bestseller. The collection of poetry pays tribute to the arrival of spring blossom, bringing Armitage’s unique energy and style to this timeless subject of poets through the centuries.
The range of poetry moves from the arrival of spring blossom to the melancholy of its disappearance.
It honours the Japanese traditions of the blossom festival and shares the excitement of this emblem of the natural world, as well as highlighting it as a nervous marker of our vulnerable climate.
The Poet Laureate is an honorary title, appointed by the monarch, to compose poems for special national events and royal occasions.
As well as holding the position of Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage is the recipient of many awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and he has also received an Ivor Novello Award for his songwriting.
Simon Armitage: Blossomise is a rare opportunity to hear the poet read his own work at Salisbury Cathedral on May 29 at 7.30pm.
There will also be a book signing following the performance, in conjunction with Waterstones. Tickets are £15 and £5 for under 18s, available from salisburycathedral.org.uk
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