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A Historic Moment for Surrey
Poetry is often seen as a quiet art form, but in Surrey, it’s making a resounding impact. The Surrey Poet Laureateship is not just another literary organisation—it is the first countywide laureateship of its kind, dedicated to making poetry accessible, meaningful, and transformative for everyone.
Founded with a bold mission, The Surrey Poet Laureateship seeks to promote the art form across the county, inspiring individuals from all walks of life to connect with their inner poet. Whether you’ve been penning sonnets for years or have never written a line, we firmly believe that everyone has at least one poem inside them.
At the heart of this movement is Adam Gary, Surrey’s inaugural Poet Laureate. With a deep passion for words and an unwavering commitment to the community, Adam embodies the vision of this historic programme. Their role isn’t just about creating poetry—it’s about empowering others to discover their voices.
The Mission Behind the Laureateship
The Surrey Poet Laureateship was born out of the belief that poetry has the power to heal, connect, and transform. From young children to elders, from those facing mental health challenges to those in prisons, poetry can be a source of solace, self-expression, and even joy.
Our core outreach programme is designed to reach everyone, regardless of age or circumstance:
Schools: We bring poetry workshops to classrooms, nurturing creativity in the youngest members of our community.
Prisons: In these spaces, poetry becomes a tool for reflection and rehabilitation, offering hope and new ways of self-expression.
Care Homes: Through our visits, we use poetry to evoke memories, build connections, and bring moments of joy to residents.
Mental Health Support: Partnering with professionals, we explore how poetry can aid in mental well-being and recovery.
Social Gatherings: From open mic nights to library readings, we create spaces for poets and enthusiasts to come together, share, and celebrate the art form.
These initiatives are driven by our unwavering belief that poetry is for everyone—it is not an elite art form but a universal language that belongs to all.
In Conversation with Adam Gary
In this exclusive interview, Adam Gary reflects on their journey, their role as Surrey’s Poet Laureate, and how they hope to inspire the community to embrace the written word.
Q1: What inspired you to pursue poetry, and how did you start writing?
A: Well, I studied performance in college. When I found myself in my first relationship something possessed me to write her a poem. Whilst writing that I had a very real, incredible sensation. The only way I can adequately describe it, though it's as corny as anything, is that it felt like the scene when Harry Potter finds his wand. Sadly, there wasn't a wind machine off to my left blowing through my hair, but it felt pretty epic. I don't know what made me want to write a poem, but I am glad that I did. I haven't really looked back since.
Q2: What does being the Poet Laureate of Surrey mean to you?
A: Absolutely everything. For me, it's personal. Poetry didn't spark my curiosity or imagination back in school. I didn't enjoy it or take it seriously at all! So, can you imagine if I didn't write that first poem on a whim? I'd have gone my whole life probably with a conceived notion of poetry and likely have hated it until my last breath. I certainly wouldn't have been talking to you right now! So, I have 3 years - well, 2 and a half now, to reach as many people as possible and show them how utterly fantastic verse is, before passing the baton on to somebody else.
Q3: Can you share a memorable moment from your time in this role?
A: There have genuinely been so many! Every single month our open mic nights have a sense of magic to them. Whenever we welcome someone to the stage who is reading for the first time, it's an incredible moment for me as much as it is for the reader. We as a community get to share in that moment with them. Similarly, when we have a member join one of our hubs for the first time and introduce themselves by saying that this is the first time they have written a poem in 40 years or more... that's another common occurrence. How special is it that the laureateship provides those opportunities for people to do that? I couldn't be prouder of what we are doing, and those who are accomplishing such things.
However, if I had to choose, I suppose the best moment of my journey with the laureateship so far would be our end-of-year showcase in November. To see all the work we had put in since May come together and fill the stage of the ACT Theatre, Kingston College, with so many different poets, who were from all walks of life and experience was quite profound and surreal for me. I was watching from the wings backstage and seeing everyone I had met during my time so far and I was utterly impressed and so so proud of them. To hear the generous words of partners like Dorian Mead (events manager of Thames Side Brewery), Howard Jameson (patron) and supporters such as Mayor Councillor Med Buck of Spelthorne Borough Council who each spoke on the night - I mean, it's what dreams are made of.
Q4: How do you see poetry impacting people’s lives in Surrey?
A: That's tough to answer. The first step is to allow poetry back into your life. Like me as a teen, many people have turned their back on verse thinking it is for particular taste buds. Once you have opened up to the idea that it can be a fun wild ride if you let it, then the potential of impacting your life is tremendous. From finding relatable emotions or scenarios in already written work to finding an outlet for expression in your own poetry. It is an opportunity for you to come along to our open mic nights or poetry hubs and 'find your tribe' as people like to say. In a world increasingly taken over by tech and robots, poetry is your opportunity to rediscover the humanity in us.
Q5: Can you share a poem you’ve written recently and the story behind it?
A: In September I published a limited edition chapbook called 'Paws and Wings', of which I am just now realising a snail has neither haha! and it uses rural animals throughout to tell its story. The chapbook does have an overarching theme, but asking a poet to explain their work is treacherous territory. I much prefer readers to decide what the poem is about themselves, as everyone will take something different away and who am I to tell them they are wrong? However, I will break that rule once. I wrote it about the blind pursuit of love and how it can take us to dangerous/hurtful places.
The Snail Chasing Rain
A gentle snail adorned with drops of rain,
She trails the paths where shadows softly fall,
Drawn to the storm, she heeds its silent call,
Unknowing that the journey leads to pain.
She blindly follows, gliding through the strain,
While rainbows seem to shimmer, bright and tall,
She slips upon the ground, so smooth yet small,
And finds her dreams dissolve within the chase.
Oh, how she yearns for what she cannot see,
For love that hides within each fleeting storm,
Her heart is lost within the rain’s embrace.
But love, like clouds, will shift and cease to be,
Leaving her hurt, yet chasing still the form
Of dreams that only lead to empty space.
You can listen to Adam read this poem on his YouTube Channel:
Poetry as a Movement
The Surrey Poet Laureateship is more than a role—it’s a movement. It’s about creating a community where poetry is celebrated as a tool for connection and empowerment. It’s about giving a voice to those who feel unheard and showing that even the simplest words can create something beautiful.
As Adam puts it, “We all have a poem inside of us. Unfortunately, so many locked their inner poet away a long time ago. We are on a mission to reverse that.”
We’ve already seen incredible stories emerge. From children proudly reciting their first-ever poems in school halls to individuals in care homes rediscovering their love for words, every moment reinforces the importance of this programme.
How You Can Join the Journey
We invite you to become part of this monumental and historic initiative. Here’s how you can get involved:
Attend an Event: From library gatherings to open mic nights, our events are open to everyone. No experience is needed—just a love for words.
Volunteer: Help us expand our outreach efforts by volunteering at schools, prisons, or care homes.
Share Your Poem: Have a poem inside you? Submit it to our annual anthology or share it at one of our events.
Spread the Word: Follow us on Instagram or Facebook and help us grow this movement by sharing our mission with others.
The Surrey Poet Laureateship is a celebration of voices, stories, and creativity. It’s a reminder that poetry belongs to all of us.
Closing Thoughts
As we continue to build this legacy, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the power of poetry. Whether you write, read, or simply listen, you are part of this journey. Together, we can make Surrey a beacon for poetry, creativity, and connection.
To learn more about our work, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit www.surreypoetlaureateship.org or contact us at info@surreypoetlaureateship.org. Let’s write the next chapter together.
Are you ready to find your inner poet? Join us at The Surrey Poet Laureateship today.
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