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A Historic Night of Verse: Spelthorne Celebrates 50 Years of Memories with Poetry and Heart
- Surrey Poet Laureateship
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Spelthorne Borough Council partners with The Surrey Poet Laureateship to mark World Poetry Day in an unforgettable celebration of memory, place, and poetic excellence.
The echoes of council debate were replaced with the lyrical beauty of verse on World Poetry Day, as Spelthorne Borough Council’s chamber played host to an extraordinary evening of poetry for the 50 Years of Memories Poetry Competition—a one-of-a-kind event delivered in partnership with The Surrey Poet Laureateship.
In a setting rarely, if ever, touched by the rhythms of poetic recital, this historic celebration brought together poets, residents, and civic leaders for a truly special occasion. As part of Spelthorne’s 50th anniversary commemorations, the competition invited reflections on memory and place, culminating in an evening that honoured creativity, community, and the enduring power of words.
Judging the competition were three outstanding voices in the Surrey poetry scene:
Adam Gary FRSA, the inaugural Surrey Poet Laureate
Tim Franck, President of the Poetry Appreciation Society of Staines
Sharron Green, Guildford-based poet and host of Pizza and Poetry at Solar Sisters Café
Two categories welcomed a wealth of poetic talent. The first, for Spelthorne residents, asked poets to explore their personal memories within the borough—resulting in evocative and heartfelt works that resonated deeply with attendees. The winning poem in this category was “Ad Solem Prospicimus” by William Turner, a striking piece that captured both nostalgia and connection to place.
The open category, which extended the invitation to poets across Surrey, was won by Linda Daruvala for her reflective and poignant poem, “On Writing a Poem.” Both winners received warm applause, with their words lifting the chamber into moments of stillness, emotion, and shared appreciation.
Adam Gary, who led the judging panel, reflected on the evening:“It is a real pleasure, as a Spelthorne resident myself and having grown up in the area, to be bringing this special event to the chamber. It’s a surreal moment for me and I’d like to thank the borough for this opportunity. I was blown away by the quality of work that was submitted. This is a night I will forever hold close to my chest.”
In total, dozens of poems were submitted from across the borough and county, with shortlisted and longlisted poets honoured for their work. The evening was made even more meaningful by live readings from many of those shortlisted, each voice adding another layer to a rich and diverse celebration of memory and imagination.
The Mayor of Spelthorne also addressed the gathering, speaking powerfully on the importance of poetry as an art form—particularly its role in capturing community identity and giving voice to lived experience.
The event marks yet another milestone for The Surrey Poet Laureateship, whose work continues to bring poetry into unexpected and impactful spaces—from libraries and schools to prisons, care homes, and now, a council chamber.
As one audience member said after the event, “This isn’t just a poetry competition—it’s a reclaiming of space for the arts and a celebration of what poetry can mean for a community.”
Congratulations go to all poets who submitted work, especially those longlisted and shortlisted. Your voices and words have helped shape a night that will live long in the memory.
For more about the work of The Surrey Poet Laureateship, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit https://www.surreypoetlaureateship.org/events
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