Local poet receives recognition for services to poetry and public service

Eloise Unerman, Barnsley’s poet laureate, has been recognised for her services to poetry and public services.   

At a special ceremony in Barnsley Town Hall Eloise, a talented poet, scriptwriter, and games developer was presented with a certificate by the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire, Lieutenant Colonel RA McPherson MBE, alongside Cllr Sarah Jane Tattersall, Mayor of Barnsley.   

Eloise has achieved a great deal already, carving out a successful literary career as well as working with and inspiring young people through her contributions to the Creative Careers programme through FUSION (Barnsley’s Cultural Education Partnership).   

Eloises’ many accomplishments include winning the Cuckoo Young Writers Award in 2017 and the award of the Young Poet in Residence at the Ledbury festival in 2018.   

One of her great successes was her appointment as Poet Laureate to Barnsley in 2019 at the age of just 19.   

Notable work outside the literary field includes taking on the demanding role of working on the front line of the NHS as a 111 call handler during the pandemic.  

Councillor Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are delighted that Eloise has been recognised in this way. Her contribution to Barnsley as a Poet Laureate and through her work on the Fusion project, inspiring future literary talents, is outstanding. Eloise has already achieved so much and has exciting ambitions for the future, and we would like to congratulate her once again for showing the talent and brilliance of Barnsley people.”  

Lieutenant Colonel RA McPherson MBE, High Sheriff South Yorkshire said: “As High Sheriff I have been keen to seek out the unsung heroes of our communities and to offer some recognition for all they do quietly in the background for the communities in which we live.  Eloise is a perfect example and her many contributions have been highlighted.” 

 “It was a great pleasure to meet Eloise (and her Mum) and I considered it a real privilege to present her with my award. I am most grateful to the Mayor of Barnsley for hosting this prestigious event.  I hope we both contributed to making this a memorable day for Eloise; it certainly was for me”. 

 

For more information about Fusion visit https://barnsleyfusion.co.uk/  

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