[New-Poetry] A Blast from the past ... (Laureateship odds)

[Paul Lake]

On 1/18/06 4:29 AM, "Robin Hamilton" <robin.hamilton2 at btinternet.com> wrote:

> http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,323534,00.html
> 
> Fanthorpe makes an impact in laureate stakes
> 
> By Guardian staff
> Thursday January 14, 1999
> 
> Guardian
> 
> The latest odds over a replacement for Ted Hughes as poet laureate show the
> Guardian's tip for the post, U. A. Fanthorpe, moving into contention. Wendy
> Cope heads the odds, from bookmakers William Hill, at 5/2, followed by Derek
> Walcott at 3/1.
> 
> Fanthorpe is now third favourite at 4/1, ahead of the big guns of the poetry
> establishment, Andrew Motion, James Fenton, Carol Ann Duffy and Tony
> Harrison. Fanthorpe's odds shortened from 66/1 to 33/1 after the publication
> on the front page of the Guardian of her birthday tribute to Prince Charles.
> 
> It was revealed last week that the 60-year-old poet had featured prominently
> in the recommendations passed to Downing Street by the literary bodies with
> an advisory role in the appointment.
> 
> Under proposals drawn up by the Department of Culture and Downing Street,
> the post of poet laureate will no longer be for life, and will carry a
> £20,000 salary and a grace-and-favour home. The poet laureate will accompany
> the Queen and the Prime Minister on official trips.
> 
> The appointment is expected to be made next month.
> 
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> 
 God, I'm glad I'm not English. The above is enough to make me want to write
a Declaration of Independence.