THE annual National Poetry Day event was a little bit different this year, with the main focus being on the young people of Launceston engaging with Charles Causley’s poetry and writing and sharing their own poems.

A selection of students from Launceston College, St Stephens, South Petherwin, Trekenna, and Egloskerry Primary Schools opened the event at the Town Hall recently with poetry they had written for the Causley Trust’s Children’s Poetry Competition in workshops run by the writers in residence, who have been living at Cyprus Well this year.

Karen Hayes and Charlotte Walker were both impressed by the students’ interest and talent, and the teachers and pupils were inspired and inspiring in their enthusiasm for poetry.

The Charles Causley Trust’s development officer Jennifer McDerra said: “It was lovely to see generations reading and listening to Charles’ work together. Simon Parker and Arthur Wills skillfully wove memories and messages from Charles into proceedings, passing on knowledge of the poet to the next generation and sharing their joy in finding lasting Launceston links in his poems as they re-read them today.

“Friends and fans read their favourite poems, and the whole event was superbly polished by the folk singer Jim Causley who played new settings of Causley’s children’s poems on his piano and accordion.

Ms McDerra added: “A true celebration of what Charles achieved in his lifetime, and the beginning of an ongoing intention by the Causley Trust to work more closely with schools and young people in the region, particularly in what will be Charles’ centenary year in 2017.”

The new edition of the Children’s Collected Poems has just been released by Picador. Copies are currently available on Amazon and will soon be in bookshops and available to purchase through the trust in time for Christmas.