Well-known poet and author Lemn Sissay OBE gave a very special private reading to a group of young people over lunch in Bromley this month.
The event took place following an invitation by the young people to visit 'our house' - a wonderful private space for Bromley looked after children and care leavers. One of the young people even surprised Lemn by sharing their own poem with him.
Lemn Sissay OBE who was London Olympics official poet and is Chancellor of Manchester University was resident poet in Bromley from May 2022 - October 2022 as part of the Bromley Council and library provider GLL’s #InspireBromley Festival. All those who attended were delighted and inspired by him, with one audience member saying, 'I just can't believe it, I can't believe Lemn Sissay is in Bromley!'
During his time in the borough, Lemn Sissay gave performances and poetry classes and celebrated October’s National Poetry Day by reading a poem he had written specially to commemorate his Bromley residency. He addressed a diverse group of secondary school pupils from across the borough at this event held at Bromley Central Library, where the poem can still be viewed.
A special programme with looked after children and care leavers was a key part of his time in Bromley with Lemn working with a group of young people to teach them the art of poetry and performance skills through a series of workshops. Following the workshops, he went on to perform with the group at the YPoet Festival in July 2022. This culminated in the welcome invitation to ‘our house’ which Lemn said he was ‘honoured to accept’ adding that he had personally gained inspiration from the young people themselves.
Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Children, Education and Families said, ‘What a fabulous experience for Bromley’s looked after children and care leavers. Lemn’s residency and the collaboration with our libraries and social care teams has brought about so much positivity and inspiration for our young people who will have picked up skills and experiences that they can carry with them for life.’
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing agreed: “We were very pleased that Lemn agreed to be poet in residence with our library teams over the summer and I know that many young people and adults alike have been inspired by his work and enthusiasm. I’d like to thank our care leavers for giving him such a warm welcome and our library staff for successfully attracting such a talented and well-respected poet to Bromley."
Visit www.bromley.gov.uk/libraries to find your closest libraries, become a member, and to find out about upcoming events and reading groups.
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