Female contenders rule out 'archaic' post of Poet Laureate
By Emily Dugan and Ben Dowell writing in The Independent, Tuesday, 10 June 2008
By Emily Dugan and Ben Dowell writing in The Independent, Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Three of the leading contenders to be Britain's first female Poet Laureate have ruled themselves out of contention for the post.
The ancient role, currently held by Andrew Motion and remunerated by 630 bottles of Spanish sherry, is due to be reappointed next year.
But hopes that the 10-year tenure, whose previous incumbents have included Ted Hughes and John Betjeman, could go to a woman look set to be dashed.
Almost none of the leading female poets are interested in the position. Wendy Cope,(pic above from The Indepedent), who had previously been a favourite for the role, has poured scorn on it, saying that she "never wanted" to be laureate. "Personally I feel it is an archaic post and means nothing. It's simply not important," she said.
The ancient role, currently held by Andrew Motion and remunerated by 630 bottles of Spanish sherry, is due to be reappointed next year.
But hopes that the 10-year tenure, whose previous incumbents have included Ted Hughes and John Betjeman, could go to a woman look set to be dashed.
Almost none of the leading female poets are interested in the position. Wendy Cope,(pic above from The Indepedent), who had previously been a favourite for the role, has poured scorn on it, saying that she "never wanted" to be laureate. "Personally I feel it is an archaic post and means nothing. It's simply not important," she said.
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