Jo Bell was Cheshire Poet Laureate 2007 but has now been ceremonially defrocked and has handed over to the capable tenure of W Terry Fox, who will hold the post until March 2009. Good luck Terry - keep an eye open for his activities in and around Cheshire.

The new laureate's duties will include:

• Write commissioned pieces for civic events (usually 5 per year) 
• Raise awareness of poetry and the fine poets working in Cheshire
• Readings of your own and others' work
• Events and tours featuring poetry
• Workshops to help new and established poets
• Make opportunities for poets to reach a wider audience
• Innovations of your own (I launched a competition and a download)

Four wonderful poets preceded me as CPL: Harry Owen, John Lindley, Joy Winkler and Andrew Rudd. In 2007-8 we toured as Bunch of Fives to great critical acclaim and the pleasure of sell-out audiences!