The Isle of Man Poetry Society has a new Chairman, Bethany de Legh-Runciman. Bethany was elected by unanimous vote at the society’s recent AGM and takes over from Ruth Baxendale, who was Chairman for the last four years.

‘I look forward to chairing the monthly poetry meetings and encouraging new and aspiring poets,’ said Bethany. ‘I hope to work well with the Isle of Man Poetry Society committee to develop the many ideas we have to promote poetry in our Island. On behalf of the committee I would like to extend sincere thanks to Ruth Baxendale, who did such a wonderful job as Chairman.’

Bethany was born in Jarrow and lived in South Manchester, before moving to the Isle of Man in 1997. Her father was born and grew up in the Island and she has many relatives here.

‘I have so many happy memories of the Isle of Man from childhood holidays,’ she said. ‘I’ve always loved the Island and feel blessed to live here.’ While Bethany’s background is in pharmacy, she has always been creative, through ballet, tap, line dance, Irish dance, drama, music, art and poetry. She started writing poetry in 1995 when she was very unwell and found it helped her to cope. Today her poetry is inspired by the world around her. As well as writing poetry, she enjoys encouraging others to write it. She spent a day in Laxey Primary School helping pupils to write poems about ‘Waterdragons’, and recently led a series of poetry workshops at the Island’s 2015 Fairtrade Conference.