Devon’s literary talent set pen to paper throughout the summer to emulate the delights of Devon in 24 words in the style of Sir Edward German, who wrote:
When Adam and Eve were dispossessed
Of the garden hard by Heaven
They planted another one down in the West
‘Twas Devon, glorious Devon
Five finalists in the 24Devon competition will now be put out to public vote during September.
The winner will be announced on 5 October, National Poetry Day, at Stover Country Park, home of the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail.
How to vote
Sarah Pitt’s choice:
By Patrick Caseley of Okehampton.
Sarah Pitt said: “I like this poem because it conjures up a strong image of Devon using original words and images. The use of the simile 'rich as cream' to evoke the Devon accent is very effective, and I think that the tempo gives a sense of the remoteness of much of the county. The last two lines just bring the landscape to life for me - high hedges are the most striking feature ofthecountryside of the countywhichhas been shaped by farming.”
Market day voices
Rich as cream
Born of the land
And all weathers
Reared
Among sheep made pink
Soft-eyed cows
And high hedges.
Carol Ackroyd’s choice: Queen of counties, |
Sheila Hobden’s choice: Cream teas and Buckfast Tonic Wine |
Stephen Lloyd’s choice: I can hear the |
Martin Phillip’s choice: Rugged tors and purple moors |
Carol Ackroyd
Reader Development Officer with Devon libraries - works with library staff across the county to open up reading choices, increase readers' enjoyment and offer opportunities for people to share their reading experiences - does this by working with readers' and writers' groups in Devon and by promoting live literature events in libraries - in doing this, visits all parts of the county and has a special fondness for long walks in the county.
Sheila Hobden
Currently Devon County Council's portfolio holder for Culture. Sheila Hobden spent a career as a Secondary School teacher during which time she wrote several books for schools including short biographies of contemporary leaders such as Mother Teresa and George Macleod.
Stephen Lloyd
Stephen Lloyd runs his own training company, teaching people how to write, edit and proof-read business documents. He is also a prize-winning poet. He lives in Ashburton and has a young family.
Martin Phillips
Martin Phillips has been adviser for English in Devon since 1989 after teaching in London and Devon before that. He has been involved in a number of poetry initiatives, particularly making DVDs with a range of poets for use in schools featuring, among others, Simon Armitage, Grace Nichols, John Agard and Matthew Sweeney.
Sarah Pitt
Sarah Pitt is a journalist for the Western Morning News, the regional daily paper of the West Country. She is also writing a novel in her spare time and in her extreme youth won a Penguin poetry competition. She enjoys running and walkingand sailing on the River Exe. She lives in Exeter.
Why not check out some of the nominations and vote for your favourite from a final shortlist of 12 with Who's your greatest Devonian?
Back to top