The poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has been made a dame in the New Year honours List. Duffy, who is also professor of contemporary poetry and creative director of the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “I am delighted that the long tradition of the laureateship and poetry in general are part of these celebrations. We have many wonderful poets in this country and it is a privilege to represent them.”

Prof John Brooks, MMU vice chancellor, paid tribute to her work, saying: “It is a great way to reward and celebrate the generosity with which she has infused the role. She has opened up opportunities for other poets – involving established writers in large-scale projects and commissions, encouraging and nurturing new voices as we see with poetry students in the Manchester Writing School at MMU and through the many prizes and competitions she has started and supported, and future poets through her national laureate education projects in schools up and down the country.”

One of Carol Ann Duffy’s initiatives as laureate has been to set up the Ted Hughes award for innovation in poetry. The deadline for nominations for this year’s award, 7 January, is only a few days away. 

PHOTOGRAPH: THE POETRY SOCIETY / HAYLEY MADDEN