A group of Stamford residents, alongside Stamford's 2022 Poet Laureate, have produced a poem celebrating the inclusive and welcoming nature of the historic market town.

Supported by Stamford Diversity Group, Scott Coe and a varied group of individuals from in and around Stamford have taken part in a poetry project to recognise and promote Stamford's reputation as a town welcoming individuals from across the world.

Rosa from Argentina is one of the participants. Image credit: Rosa / Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

Despite the British architecture and ancient traditions, Stamford is a global location, home to people from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Australia. As such, Scott Coe, Stamford's Poet Laureate for 2022, alongside a group of creative local people, have come together to produce a poem titled 'We All Live Under the Same Sun.'

The French participant, Aurelie. Image credit: Aurelie / Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

This community mini project sees the titular phrase, 'we all live under the same sun', echoed in various languages by locals.

Chair of Stamford Diversity Group, Yvette Diaz-Munoz said "there are so many local residents of different nationalities and heritages who speak other languages, this is just a small sample! Scott's poem echoes the fact that we can celebrate our differences yet are united in our commonality."

One reader, Dorothea with her grandmother. Image credit: Dorothea / Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

The poem features Stamford residents from across the globe:

• Nataliia - Ukrainian
• Aurelie - French
• Chantal - Maltese
• Chawki - Arabic
• Dorota - Polish
• Dorothea - German
• Eva - Czech
• Godfrey - Welsh
• Habib - Bengali
• Rosa - Spanish
• Ingrid - Dutch
• Li Sha - Mandarin
• Michaela & Mauro - Italian
• Sandija - Latvian
• Sofia - Portuguese
• Shalini - Hindi
• Karen Neale - English
• Fai - Thai (disclaimer: she actually said 'hello how are you' rather than the line from the poem, but it has been included regardless

Sofia from Portugal. Image credit: Sofia / Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

And, of course, Stamford's exiting poet Laureate, Scott Coe.

Watch a reading of the poem, penned and performed by Scott Coe:

Scott Coe. Image credit: Scott Coe / Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

Scott Coe will be preceded as Poet Laureate by Emily Dickens.

Emily was introduced at the end of April, when the Youth Poet Laureates were also announced.

Read more about Stamford's new team of poets here.

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