The Isle of Wight has officially appointed its first Poet Laureate, with writer and multidisciplinary creative Sarah Nicole selected to represent the Island’s poetry community for the next two years.
The announcement was made at a special ceremony at Quay Arts in Newport on Thursday 15th October, following a selection process that brought together local writers, schools and members of the public.
Behind the programme
The Isle of Wight Poet Laureate Programme was founded by Lottie Begg, founder of independent publisher Lemon Jelly Press CIC, and developed with the support of a committee bringing together representatives from creative, cultural and community organisations across the Island.
Committee organisations include Creative Island, Quay Arts, Style of Wight magazine, Brevity: The Island Literary Handbill, the Isle of Wight County Press, Red Funnel Ferries, Wildheart Sanctuary and Forestry England.
Together, the committee has helped establish a new literary initiative designed to celebrate the Island’s distinctive cultural identity, champion local writing talent and make poetry more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Shortlist and public vote
Sarah was selected from a shortlist of five poets, which also included Kathryn Rossati, Harrison Wavell, Tim Martin and Nina Plapp.
As part of the selection process, the shortlisted poets were tasked with creating an original poem that explored a new perspective on an Island place, encouraging fresh interpretations of familiar locations and landscapes.
The process culminated in a public vote, which attracted nearly 1,000 responses, demonstrating the strength of local enthusiasm for the initiative.
Introducing Sarah Nicole
Sarah Nicole is a writer, illustrator and multidisciplinary creative whose work explores the experiences and complexities of Island life.
A graduate in French and Communications, Sarah began her professional career at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation before becoming a freelance creative in 2020.
In November 2025, she independently published Diamond: The Pleasures and Perils of Living on an Island, a poetry collection reflecting on the distinctive character of the Isle of Wight and the contradictions of Island living.
Her creative practice encompasses poetry, illustration, design and spoken-word performance, with her work offering thoughtful and often unconventional perspectives on familiar experiences.
As the Island’s first Poet Laureate, Sarah will become a literary ambassador, creating original work, participating in cultural events and helping to bring poetry into public spaces and everyday life.
‘Over the moon’
Speaking about her appointment, Sarah Nicole said,
“I am over the moon and absolutely thrilled (plus still in shock!) to have been given this opportunity.
“Sharing the joy of poetry with the island community is something I will relish and cherish over the next two years, as well as being able to write poems that both celebrate and capture the unique beauty of this place I call home.”
Inspiring the next generation
A central ambition of the Isle of Wight Poet Laureate Programme is to establish meaningful connections between poetry and the wider community, particularly children and young people.
In 2027, the programme aims to deliver creative writing workshops in five Island schools, with a particular focus on communities where additional opportunities for literary engagement could have a significant impact.
The workshops will encourage children to find inspiration in the ordinary and overlooked details of their surroundings, helping them develop confidence, creativity and their own individual voices.
Young writers will also have the opportunity to contribute to a published anthology, creating a lasting legacy of the programme’s first year.
Establishing a lasting literary legacy
The Isle of Wight Poet Laureate Programme has been designed as an ongoing cultural initiative, with a new Poet Laureate to be appointed every two years.
Alongside public appearances and original commissions, the role will provide opportunities to connect poetry with schools, community groups, local organisations and cultural events across the Island.
The involvement of organisations spanning publishing, the arts, media, transport, wildlife conservation and the natural environment reflects an ambition to take poetry beyond traditional literary settings and make it a visible part of Island life.
Lottie Begg, founder of the Isle of Wight Poet Laureate Programme and Lemon Jelly Press CIC, said,
“It’s wonderful to see the Island come together to celebrate poetry in this way. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and grateful to everyone who has supported the programme.
“Sarah will be a fantastic ambassador for Island poetry, and I’m excited to see how this new chapter unfolds.”
With Sarah Nicole now taking up the role, organisers hope the initiative will inspire a new generation of Island writers, create opportunities for creative collaboration and establish poetry as an increasingly visible and valued part of the Isle of Wight’s cultural identity.
News shared by Lottie on behalf of Isle of Wight Poet Laureate Programme. Ed
