A LOCAL event is hoping to shine a light on some of the UK’s biggest talents as it assembles an exceptional line-up of prize-winning poets.

Each year people flock to the ancient Cornish capital to enjoy the multiplicity of performances, activities and workshops on offer at the Launceston Poetry Festival and 2026 looks to be no different.

After its inaugural year following a major rebrand in 2025 - pivoting from ‘The Charles Causley Festival - the event is once again welcoming a stellar line-up to Launceston, including a former Archbishop of Canterbury.

From May 1 to May 3, the festival is hoping to cement Launceston’s place as one of the South West’s cultural hotspots.

Taking place across a weekend of readings, workshops and open-air events, the festival showcases leading voices, from T. S. Eliot prize-winners to emerging talents and bestselling writers. Organised by the Causley Trust, programmed by Guillemot Press, and hosted by Cornish poet Ella Frears and Petroc Trelawny, the programme aims to inspire new audiences with world-class poetry, celebrate the legacy of Launceston poet Charles Causley, and highlight Cornwall’s thriving creative community.

As well as welcoming a long list of award-winning poets, one of the highlights of the event is the appearance of Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. He is also a celebrated poet with his collections including After Silent Centuries and The Poems of Rowan Williams.

On top of this, Petroc Trelawny is set to add to the festival’s list of famous faces. Best known for broadcasting on Classic FM, Radio 3 and as the BBC presenter of the annual New Year’s Day concert from Vienna; he is a journalist and his first book Trelawny’s Cornwall was published in 2024.

Commenting on the event, Nicola Nuttall, of the Charles Causley Trust, said the charity is proud to create a space for the community to celebrate the ‘incredible power of poetry’.

She said: “This festival brings together some of the most exciting contemporary poets. We’re proud to create a space in this historic town where readers, writers and the wider community can share in the incredible power of poetry.”

Roger McGough, Causley Trust patron, added: “This is such a brilliant programme featuring so many of our best poets, artists and personalities, as well as events that reach beyond the usual festival fare.”

As well as the poetry readings, there will be a host of events across town venues including an opening ceremony with Ben Maguire MP and long-time Launceston Town Crier, Rob Tremain, workshops in schools with poet Sarah Cave, textile workshops with artist Olga Owczarek, print workshops with Becca Drake, street poems with Alex George and Tom Nutting, under six workshops with Jane Newberry, hosted walks with David Devanny, and performances on the Castle Green from Launceston Town Band, Popchoir, Signing Choir, Launceston Youth Theatre Music Group and more.

Rowan Williams and Petroc Trelawny will be part of a special Sunday service in St. Thomas’s Church Launceston on Sunday, May 3, to mark Charles Causley’s life.