Oldham, a town steeped in rich industrial heritage, is embarking on a project to explore its future through the power of poetry. Commonword are seeking a creative and visionary poet to craft a series of works that celebrate the town’s mill town past while exploring its potential for a sustainable, “Green” future.

This flexible residency is an exciting opportunity for a writer who lives, works, or has a strong connection to Oldham. The residency is an opportunity to create new pieces of writing inspired by Oldham; whether that is contemporary life in the town itself, its people, its history, or its green spaces. How the writer chooses to draw inspiration from the theme is up to them.

The chosen poet will be tasked with creating a collection of 4 poems that weave together the stories of Oldham’s industrial past with a hopeful vision for its future as a leader in environmental responsibility. The project aims to spark conversation, inspire community pride, and encourage residents to imagine a greener Oldham. The new work will be performed at Commonword’s Oldham Open Mic on September 12th 2024 or Oldham Jam Night on October 3rd 2024.

“Oldham has a unique story to tell,” says Commonword’s Ella Otomewo, spokesperson for the project. “We want to capture the spirit of the town, its resilience and resourcefulness, and translate that into a powerful message about a sustainable future.”

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of Oldham’s history and a passion for environmental issues. Experience with performance poetry is a plus, as the project may culminate in a public reading or event.

Fee: £500

To Apply:

Interested poets should submit a portfolio of their work (up to 3 pages), along with a brief proposal outlining their approach to the project to ella@cultureword.org.uk  by Wednesday 21st August, midday. All applicants will receive a response by Friday 23rd August.