He is famed for his talent with word and phrase, and public libraries he did praise.

The British poet laureate Simon Armitage delighted guests at a special appearance at Fakenham Library on Wednesday.

Around 60 people were at the Oak Street venue to hear the 59-year-old Yorkshireman talk about the importance of public libraries and recite a couple of recently-penned verses. 

Dereham Times: Norwich poet Matt Howard, left, and British poet laureate Simon Armitage at Fakenham LibraryNorwich poet Matt Howard, left, and British poet laureate Simon Armitage at Fakenham Library (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Liz Radley, chair of the library’s friends’ group, said Mr Armitage kept the audience in rapture. 

Mrs Radley said: “He’s a warm and wonderful man and an extremely fluent and witty speaker.

“From an early age he’s always been hugely involved with libraries and this is part of his 10-year library project.

Dereham Times: Foyle Young Poet award winner Jenna Hunt was also part of the event at Fakenham Library Foyle Young Poet award winner Jenna Hunt was also part of the event at Fakenham Library (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“He wants to make sure that people acknowledge libraries and how much they do. They’re not just there for borrowing books - although that’s a big part of it - they help people with fuel poverty, offer business support, computers, and they’re creative spaces as well. 

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“We have all sorts of events in the evenings, it’s a vibrant sort of place.”

Dereham Times: Guests at the Simon Armitage reading at Fakenham LibraryGuests at the Simon Armitage reading at Fakenham Library (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Norwich poet Matt Howard and teenage Foyle Young Poet award winner Jenna Hunt, from Great Yarmouth, joined Mr Armitage as other speakers at the event. 

Poems Mr Armitage read included The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash and Let's Bird Table, and he also took part in a question-and-answer session. 

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Mrs Radley said: “He spent quite a bit of time chatting to various members of the public, and particularly some of the children from Fakenham Academy, which was lovely.

“The library staff was wonderfully supportive, and we also had help from various other groups around the town.”

Mr Armitage started his library tour in 2019, when he announced he would spend a week visiting five to seven libraries each year for 10 years.