Bradley Chambers inaugurated at event in Colby
The newly-crowned Manx Bard says he's completely overwhelmed to have been granted the title.
Bradley Chambers (or should we say 'Bardley?') is a social work manager from Douglas and is said to have impressed judges with his passion for poetry.
As the 11th Manx Bard, he will spend his year in the role promoting poetry and Manx culture on and off the Island.
Mr Chambers, who's the called the Island home for two years now, says it's an 'immense honour':
On the role, Team Bard says: '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.'
Mr Chambers says: '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, says: 'We congratulate and welcome Bradley as the 11th 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.'
Mr Chambers takes over the role from the 10th Manx Bard, Jordanne Kennaugh, who says: ‘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 inauguration took place at Moorhouse Farm, Colby, by kind permission of Paul Costain CP and his family, a barn being transformed for the occasion.
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer were in attendance, as was the Mayor of Douglas.
Picture: Team Bard
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