Poet/Spoken Word Artist, Bucks Council
Full details
Job Summary
Job Description
This is a project led by Buckinghamshire Council, with funding https://www.gwr.com/about-gwr/what-you-can-expect/community/community-investment - from GWR's Customer and Community Improvement Fund, that will engage with community partners and groups linked with social needs, to celebrate the heritage and promote the use of the Marlow / Bourne End railway line. This will be achieved through highlighting a walking route and establishing a recognised rail and foot trail, promoting recreational walking and train travel while supporting health and well-being.
At the heart of the project is the heritage of the branch line between Bourne End and Marlow inextricably linked to Marlow's development and affectionately known as the "Marlow Donkey." The arrival of the railway had a huge impact on the local area, particularly the development of Marlow, shaping it to what it is today.
There are plans for wider improvements to upgrade the line, both rail station forecourts and wider connectivity to the stations as well as good opportunity for onward travel, particularly into London using the relatively new Elizabeth Line connecting at Maidenhead.
The trail will launch as part of Railway 200 celebrations, with a celebratory event at a station in the school summer holiday. The station will be decorated to create a heritage feel, with bunting, tea and cakes along with traditional style entertainment. There will be guided train journeys with talks by local historians and Simply Walks volunteers will be on hand to guide walkers wanting to experience the walking trail. There will also be small exhibitions at the Marlow Museum and local libraries, profiling the impact of the GWR railway on both settlements.
Job Requirements
The successful applicant will lead engaging workshops, attend a guided train journey and walk along the trail. The artist will work with the local community and use creativity, heritage and environmental influences to deliver workshops that capture local voices and stories - explore connections with the local landscape, local history and the two settlements of Bourne End and Marlow through the power of words. This will result in a collection of spoken word pieces and poems that reflect the shared identity of the area, walking route, railway line and stations.
The Spoken Word Artist/Poet will also collaborate with a Visual Artist, ensuring an integrated creative approach that enhances the project's impact.
Artists will link closely with the Project Manager and share outputs with the Designer to inform and inspire a compelling final design that authentically reflects community contributions and captures the spirit of the Marlow Donkey. Artists are to attend the launch event.
Job Responsibilities
The curation should raise awareness of the route, celebrate local history and encourage recreational
How to Apply
Spoken Word Artists/Poets are invited to submit expressions of interest detailing your suitability for the role, including an overview of any relevant experience, approach to the brief and why you would be the ideal choice. Please also include CVs or company overview and up to three examples of relevant work.
Expression of Interest closing date: 9am 29th April, 2025
Shortlisting and presentations: w/c 6th May 2025
Appointment: w/c 12th May
Workshops to run: end May/early June
Completed design: early/mid July
Project launch: late July/early August
We welcome applications from collaborative partnerships that can deliver both the visual and spoken word elements but this is not a requirement.
Please send your submission to liz.charter@buckinghamshire.gov.uk by 9am on Tuesday 29th April 2025, with the subject line of: Follow The Donkey EOI Spoken Word
- Contact name: Liz Charter
- Contact email: liz.charter@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
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