Landscape and Lyrics: The Poets of Yorkshire

Ralph Dartford was founder of the influential collective A Firm of Poets, who toured nationally with artists such as Hollie McNish, Zena Edwards and Luke Wright amongst other leading spoken word artists. His first pamphlet, Cigarettes, Beer and Love, was published by Ossett Observer Presents in 2013, followed by Recovery Songs, published by Valley Press in 2019, and Hidden Music in October 2021. In 2024, his third collection for Valley Press, House Anthems, will be published to complete a trilogy of themed work. Ralph is the poetry editor at Northern Gravy and is currently studying for a Creative Writing PhD at the University of Huddersfield. For gainful employment, Ralph works for the National Literacy Trust as a Project Manager within the Criminal Justice department.

Kate Fox is a Bradford-born stand up poet and broadcaster. She’s a regular contributor to Radio 3’s spoken word cabaret The Verb, has made two comedy series for Radio 4, been Poet in Residence for the Glastonbury Festival and the Great North Run and completed a PhD in stand up comedy. She is the author of Where There’s Muck There’s Bras: True Stories of the North of England’s Women published by Harper North, and her most recent poetry collection The Oscillations from Nine Arches Press. She is on this year’s Forward Prizes judging panel. She is also a neurodivergent advocate whose latest show Bigger on the Inside explores neurodiversity through the lens of Doctor Who.

Jo Bell is a poet and writer based in Macclesfield. Formerly a professional archaeologist, she is the author of two poetry collections and co-author of How To Be A Poet, has been frequently featured on BBC radio, and was director of National Poetry Day in the UK.