Powys visit for Children's Laureate

25 September 2023

UK's Children's Laureate has visited a mid-Powys library, the county council has said.

Award-winning performance poet, playwright and children's author Joseph Coelho visited Knighton Library as part of his nationwide 'Library Marathon' mission to visit libraries in every county of Wales. The Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2022-2024 was at the library on Tuesday, September 12.

The aim of the visit was to encourage people, young and old, to join their local library and promote the vital role libraries play within the community. Joseph also wants to inspire a love of reading in young people.

During his visit, Joseph performed some of his poetry to school children and worked with them to create their own. On their return to school, the children worked together to create their own poems based on his YouTube inspiration.

As part of his goal to join a library in every local authority in the UK, Joseph also joined Powys Library Service and borrowed some books.

Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: "It was great for our library in Knighton to welcome Joseph to Powys and to represent the county in Waterstones Children's Laureate's tour of Wales.

"Joseph has taken on a jam packed nine-day tour, which will do wonders in helping to promote and champion libraries and reading across Wales and the UK."