Poet Laureate Simon Armitage is to lead a cultural project to tell the tale of Marsden in poetry and music.

Simon, who was born in the village, has teamed up with his band LYR and Marsden Mechanics to create a community arts project – ‘Tenterhooks’ – supported by Arts Council England.

Following on from the success of a series of live performances at the Mechanics, the new project aims to help people in the rural village get involved in art and culture on their doorstep.

The project believes everybody should have the opportunity to access top-calibre cultural and artistic events and experiences, no matter their location or financial means.

Simon and LYR – of which he is a founder member – will work with Marsden Mechanics’ development manager Jonny Kelly and, crucially, local people to uncover the untold stories of Marsden.

Simon will take these stories and develop a series of new poems. Then, alongside his bandmates Richard Walters and Patrick Pearson, LYR will set the poems to music.

These poems will then be returned to the community for interpretation and local creatives will be supported by Marsden Mechanics in creating brand new art – everything from songs to sculptures, literature to theatre.

The project will culminate in a day of celebratory performances and viewings to be held as part of Marsden Cuckoo Day on Saturday April 26 2025.

 

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage: Image by Paul Stuart Photography

 

Simon said: “Marsden is in my blood and in my poems. It’s a modern village but one with a deep history, full of stories and myths.

“The Tenterhooks project hopes to turn some of those memories, tales and legends of yesterday into the songs, tunes, paintings, writings and art works of today and tomorrow.”

Jonny Kelly said Marsden was thinking big and added: “For a village so small, Marsden’s influence on our national identity is nothing short of colossal.

“It’s a place that has always punched well above its weight. Tenterhooks is here to celebrate that past and look to its future.

“The desire to do this in such a collaborative way, was naturally driven by a collective desire to set the foundation for events and artistic endeavours that are inclusive for all community members.

“Connection and inclusion which encompasses the whole community are our core values and we are proud that we are continuing to help to contribute to this, not only to making our relatively rural location a more animated and vibrant place to live, but also a more compelling place to visit and to work in, which in turn strengthens and grows the community further.”