On Wednesday, 26th February, AESSEAL hosted a remarkable poetry showcase celebrating the creativity and talents of young poets from local schools. The event featured shortlisted poems submitted as part of AESSEAL’s partnership with the UK’s leading poetry body, The Poetry Society.
Students from a range of local schools, including Wales High School, Saint Bernard's Catholic High School, Thrybergh Academy, Clifton Community School, and Rawmarsh Community School all took part, with all schools having commended poems selected. Each student showcased their incredible ability to express themselves through the art of words.
In attendance at the event were notable figures, including the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Sheila Cowen, AESSEAL’s Managing Director Chris Rea, and acclaimed poet Matt Abbott. Their presence highlighted the significance of the occasion, with Matt Abbott providing inspiration through his own words and insights into the power of poetry. The audience was deeply moved by the performances, as students took the stage to share their unique perspectives with confidence and passion.
We are incredibly proud of the work put forward by these young writers, and AESSEAL remains committed to nurturing creativity in our local communities through initiatives like this one.
They also toured AESSEAL’s “Treewalk”, an environmental corridor with a wetlands area, native tree planting and wildlife, which has been designed as an educational resource uniting engineering and the environment.
The overall winner, Isabelle Stevens, was presented with a £100 book token by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Sheila Cowen for her poem, “The Future”
The future
A hundred years from now
Wow that’s a long way
But hear me out
What would the aliens want to say?
They might be mimes who seem
More normal
And dogs that like to keep a
Tiny journal.
The Antarctic might not be there
And hamsters might not
Have hair.
But if we be more
Sustainable
There might still be
Kids who like to eat
Bibble.
If we say goodbye
To the horrible
Vehicles
Then the world might
Just be a bit more
Breathable.
