Poetry by Heart regional celebration

Hundreds of children hear live poet for National Poetry Day

On the 2nd October 2024, the Cathedral was full of Lichfield school children for an event jointly hosted by Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield Cathedral School and Poetry by Heart. 

330 children from eight schools attended to hear poet, Kate Wakeling, read poems attached to last year’s theme, ‘Refuge’ and this year’s theme, ‘Counting’.  Kate was highly engaging with lots of audience participation, including the creation of a storm using body percussion. 

We were also delighted that co-founder of Poetry by Heart, Dr Tim Shortis, was able to join us and students from Lichfield Cathedral School recited a couple of poems.  A highlight was when all the children sang two songs that they had learnt to fit the themes – their singing was excellent!

The event emerged because Poetry by Heart were looking for venues to host regional celebrations.  As Lichfield Cathedral School had won a special award for performing a Ukrainian poem, spoken in Ukrainian, whilst also performing it in British sign language, it seemed apt to try and organise it in the Cathedral.  The Revd Canon Dr Gregory Platten, who heads up education and outreach at the Cathedral and who compered the event, was absolutely thrilled saying: ‘I thought Kate, the poet, was superb, and the music and singing showed how engaged the schools and children were’.