Freya Bantiff: Then and Now

Each year for our Look North More Often project, The Poetry Society commissions a new children’s poem celebrating the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, which is a gift from the city of Oslo to London, as a thank you for helping the King of Norway in World War 2. This year, Coral Rumble wrote a wonderful new poem is called ‘Glow’, which is on display around the base of the tree in Trafalgar Square over the 2025 festive period. The poem was premiered at the lighting up ceremony of the tree in front of the mayors of Oslo, London and Westminster, plus thousands of spectators, by three children from a local primary school, Burdett Coutts & Townshend Primary School. Their names are Nuraa, Nirvaan and Andrew and in this podcast, you’ll get to hear them read the poem, as well as talk about their experience discovering, writing and performing poetry. You can also find a plethora of free festive KS2 teaching resources and poems on The Poetry Society website at bit.ly/lnmo. Happy holidays from everyone at The Poetry Society!

Fawzia Muradali Kane: Then & Now by The Poetry Society

Mary Jean Chan on 'Play' by The Poetry Society

Katie Griffiths: Then & Now by The Poetry Society

Mark Fiddes: Then & Now by The Poetry Society

Marvin Thompson: Then and Now by The Poetry Society

Freya Bantiff: Then and Now by The Poetry Society

Vicki Feaver: Then and Now by The Poetry Society

John Wedgwood Clarke: Then & Now by The Poetry Society

Mark Pajak reads 'Trick' and 'Plait' | Then & Now by The Poetry Society