Portsmouth's new poet laureate has been selected by Portsmouth City Council.
Jackson Davies, a punk poet who has been performing humorous, honest and relatable spoken word for the last ten years across the city, has stepped into the prestigious role, which runs from 2026 to 2028.
Jackson will have the honour of marking the cityβs centenary in verse and capturing Portsmouthβs unique character and community through poetry.
During the two-year tenure the Portsmouth Poet Laureate will be asked to write poems to celebrate special events or occasions in the city, as well as perform at events in libraries, schools, festivals, and other community events. He will also deliver poetry workshops and inspire people of all ages and abilities, as well as sit on the judging panel to choose the Young Portsmouth Poet Laureate
David Percival, libraries and archive service manager, who led the selection process, said: "We received many excellent applications for the role, but what we liked about Jackson is his ability to form connections with all kinds of people and his direct, funny, and relatable style."
Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "Art is a great unifier and I am looking forward to seeing the way the new poet laureate will work with Portsmouth residents to embed a love of words and poetry in everyone, no matter their age or background.
"Thanks so much to our outgoing poet laureate, Sam Cox, for everything she has brought to the role."
Jackson says: "I'm incredibly psyched and proud to be chosen as Portsmouth Poet Laureate. Portsmouth is full of brilliant stories, humour and creativity, and with Portsmouth100 celebrations in full swing and the City of Culture bid ahead, I want to help make poetry something that belongs to everyone, not just those who think it's for them already. I'm looking forward to the challenge, meeting people across the city and getting stuck in."
Jackson is set to appear twice at Victorious Festival in August. You can also watch Jackson's Ode to Albert Road: Ode to Albert Road poem
His announcement video is here - I'm the new Portsmouth Poet Laureate!
Keep an eye on Jackson's Instagram and Facebook pages for his upcoming performances @jacksondaviespoet
https://librariesandarchives.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-library-service/portsmouth-poet-laureate/