Bradley Named Next Manx Bard

Bradley Chambers was inaugurated on Sunday as the 11^th Manx Bard.

Bradley impressed judges with his passion for poetry, his knowledge of different forms of poetry and his desire to adopt a storytelling approach to his year as Manx Bard.

Manx Bards foster an appreciation of poetry and promote the Isle of Man via events they are invited to, poems they write for occasions and initiatives they instigate or collaborate over.

Manx Bard

Bradley, a social work manager from Douglas, said: “It is an immense honour and privilege to not only follow in the footsteps of the first Manx Bard, T. E Brown, but nine other Bards who have preceded me, all of whom have taken on the challenge in different ways.

“I am interested in voices and stories, whether past or present, and I am looking forward to telling some of the stories of the Isle of Man.”

Bridge Carter, founder of the Manx Bard, said: “We congratulate and welcome Bradley as the 11^th holder of the prestigious post of Manx Bard and look forward to him taking the Bardship in new directions.

“We had a high standard of entries and the shortlisted poets were all impressive, leaving judges with a difficult task. This demonstrates that poetry is thriving in the Isle of Man.”

Goodbye to Jordanne

Jordanne Kennaugh, the outgoing 10^th Manx Bard, said: “Sharing my passion in my capacity as Manx Bard has been a joy, and this role has deepened my love for writing and expanded my creative horizons.”

The Manx Bard is sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council and supported by Culture Vannin.