THE Charles Causley Trust has appointed a development officer to deliver the ‘Spark to Flame’ project, which takes its name from Causley’s poem, Kelly Wood, and aims to preserve and promote his legacy in Cornwall and beyond. Jennifer McDerra took up the post last month.

With financial and in-kind support from the project partners, Jennifer will establish sustainable funding streams for the project, develop a residency and workshop programme at Cyprus Well, Causley’s former home in Launceston, and collaborate with academics, students and literary professionals to stimulate further consideration of his life and work at a local, national and international level.

She said: “Charles Causley’s life and work are deserving of broader and deeper consideration. The refurbishment of Cyprus Well provides the opportunity to anchor Causley’s legacy in an environment where emerging writers can develop their own craft and respond to his work. Those who knew Charles are happy to see his former home used in a way that reflects his generosity of spirit, and it is in this spirit that I intend to develop the project.”

Charles Causley Trust chairman David Fryer said the trust was delighted to achieve its ambition of appointing a development officer in conjunction with partners Cornwall Council, Launceston Town Council, Plymouth University and Literature Works as well as a grant from Arts Council England.

“We are doubly delighted to have appointed Jennifer McDerra who, I know, will work hard to take forward Charles Causley’s heritage.”

The Trust has recently been successful in raising significant funding to expand the project’s scope and further develop its work to support developing writers and engage people with Causley’s work, and with literature more broadly.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for economy and culture Julian German said Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from the literature and publishing fields and will be ‘a great asset in ensuring that the project goes from strength to strength’.

Launceston Town Council clerk Rita Skinner said the council was very pleased to be a partner in the ‘exciting venture’ and she looked forward to working with Jennifer.