Writer Simon Mole named as the first ever Brent Poet Laureate

Spoken word artist will raise the profile of poetry in the borough

A Brent writer and spoken word artist has been unveiled as the first ever Brent Poet Laureate.

Simon Mole has been given the honour as part of Wembley WordFest – a two-week celebration of the written and spoken word which celebrates the launch of Wembley Library at Brent Civic Centre.

As Brent Poet Laureate Mr Mole will raise the profile of poetry in the borough, engage new audiences and celebrating the diverse range of voices in Brent over the next six months.

He will write poems inspired by the borough, take part in public performances, deliver workshops and blog about his experiences.

Mr Mole has had a poetry residency in South Kilburn and run workshops at ten local schools. And outside of the borough he is also part of the Chill Pill Collective, performing poetry at the Soho Theatre and The Roundhouse, and helps to run the Keats’ House Poets’ Forum.

He said: “As a local resident it’s a huge honour to have been named as Brent’s Poet Laureate. Over the next six months I’m looking forward to bringing poetry to the streets of the borough and celebrating the diverse voices that make it the place that it is.”

For more information visit www.simonmole.com or for more on Wembley WordFest visit www.brent.gov.uk/civiccentre.