AN evening of insight with the UK s royal poet is on offer at Felsted Schools this week. Andrew Motion, who has been Poet Laureate for 10 years, will be visiting the school on Thursday (March 5) to talk about his role which will come to an end later this

AN evening of insight with the UK's royal poet is on offer at Felsted Schools this week.

Andrew Motion, who has been Poet Laureate for 10 years, will be visiting the school on Thursday (March 5) to talk about his role which will come to an end later this year, and read some poetry to visitors.

As Poet Laureate he has followed in the footsteps of William Wordsworth by being officially appointed by the government and royal family, and he is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events.

He writes poems about public events such as the Paddington rail crash and promotes charities such as Childline.

Mr Motion said: "I see myself as a town crier, can-opener and flag-waver for poetry as well as wanting to write poems about various events that seem suitable to me.

"I would like to see poets associated with all sorts of surprising places, everywhere from zoos to football clubs."

Mr Motion has embarked on a series of visits to schools and colleges to spread the enthusiasm for poetry to the younger generation.

"The idea of a living poet coming to a school and talking about their work was absolutely unimaginable when I was growing up," he added. "It wasn't quite as bad as saying that the only good poets were dead poets but it was nearly like that."

However, by highlighting the contexts in which poetry could and does already influence lives - such as television and pop music - he has found his young audiences generally receptive.

Mr Motion will at the school from 7pm. For tickets and more details contact the school on 01371 822600.