This week our poetry news round up looks at the acclaimed poet who was been honoured with an honorary fellowship, the 31st William Stafford Poetry Celebration and the search for a new poet laureate for Richmond.
Swansea University Honour Acclaimed Poet
An honorary fellowship has been awarded to the chaired bard Professor Tudur Hallam by Swansea University. The fellowship has been awarded for the outstanding contributions that Hallam has given to both Welsh-language literature and culture.
He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Letters during a graduation ceremony that took place on 9th December 2025.
This is not the first success that Professor Hallam has had this year, during the National Eisteddfod he was awarded the Chair.
Born in Penybanc, he went on to study at Aberystwyth University where he gained a first-class degree and a PhD in Welsh. He has been a lecturer in the Department of Welsh at the University of Swansea since 1999. He retired due to ill health in 2025 and is now an Emeritus Professor at the University.
He has a wide range of publications to his name both poetry collections and also those linked to Welsh studies.
Poetry Reading to Celebrate William Stafford’s Birthday
The Friends of the Hannon Library have announced that they will be holding the 31st William Stafford Poetry Celebration at the beginning of January.
The event is scheduled to features special guests and local poets who will take part in poetry readings, each of them reading from their favourite Stafford poem. The veteran writer, Steve Paul will also be attendance in advance of the publication of his book The Shadow Poet: A Life of William Stafford which is due to be published in 2026.
Richmond Poet Laureate Position Opens for Application
There is less than a year remaining on the term of the current poet laureate in the city applications have been opened as officials look for a new poet to serve in the role.
The poet who is selected as the new poet laureate for Richmond will serve for a period of two years from 2026 to 2028. This is only the third time that a poet laureate will have been selected for the city, the inaugural poet served from 2021 to 2023.
Talking about the opportunity a spokesperson said that the role of poet laureate was
The selection committee for the position will be made up of council officials, local poets,
and partners in the community. They will review all of the applications and then make recommendations for the mayor who will have the final ay in selecting the successful applicant.
They are looking for someone who will help them to build a more connected, stronger Richmond and who will bring people together with their poetry.
The successful poet laureate will receive an annual stipend of $5000 and a $2000 development fund for their initial project.
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