Poet Laureate Support

Simon Armitage’s exclusive sherry label

SMP Secretary Carol Hayton shares her gratitude for an unusual form of support for the project

We are very grateful for the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage's, support for our fundraising campaign - with his extremely kind donation of a very special bottle of sherry. 

Simon was appointed to the role of Poet Laureate by Queen Elizabeth in 2019. This honorary role is awarded to a poet whose work is of national significance. The UK’s first Poet Laureate by Royal appointment was John Dryden who was given the title by King Charles II in 1668. Previous Poet Laureates have included William Wordsworth, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Betjeman and Ted Hughes.   The role of the Poet Laureate is to write poems that engage with royal events and to promote poetry.  An article published by the Poetry Society at the time of Simon's appointment explains the significance of the sherry to this prestigious role.  

Only around 70 bottles of Sherry are taken from the butt of Sherry gifted to the  Poet Laureate's every year.   The bottles  have a label that is exclusive to the receiving Laureate.  The labels on Simon's sherry have a drawing by Simon's wife  Sue, of the Marsden Cuckoo. Simon Armitage’s poem about this legendary bird features on the back label. 

We hope you will agree that this is a very attractive item for both sherry and poetry fans.  We will therefore be offering this as our star prize in a fundraising raffle that will take place next year. Look out for details of our raffle and, in the meantime, anyone who would like to support our campaign to raise funds for the public artwork to celebrate  Shelly, either by making a donation or by contributing an item for our raffle, can do so via the donate button or by contacting us  via our email : shelleymemorialproject@btinternet.com