We are thrilled and honoured to welcome poet, playwright, memoirist and broadcaster Lemn Sissay as an ambassador for Farms for City Children.
Lemn is a master of the spoken word, served seven years a chancellor of the University of Manchester, was official poet of the London Olympics, is an Honorary fellow of several Oxford and Cambridge colleges and winner of 2024 Hay festival medal for poetry as well as being a three-time Sunday Times best seller.
The themes of nature and the natural world are woven through Lemn’s work, both literally and as a metaphor for state of mind and emotions.
He shared these beautiful words with our founders, Clare and Michael Morpurgo:
“I miss the lifting mist and meadows and hedgerows. I miss the smell of the seasons pre-empting each season. I miss the outdoor cobwebs and mud.
“Missing these things is a luxury. I don’t miss them at all. I grew up in places with names like Woodfields on Orchard Lane. Across Orchard Lane was a pond called Lucky Hollow and beyond lay the fields of Mr Marsh’s farm. He employed us kids from the home. Each year we baled the hay. We never used the word ‘baler’ in any other context. We were hay balers and we loved it.
“Such as it was, our personal lives were so tumultuous these recollections were not called upon. I don’t miss them in a sad way. Not one bit. The absolute power of nature is that it is always there as a reminder, infinitesimal, great and infinite like love.”
He added, “I am proud to be able to support Farms for City Children and their work to provide pathways for young people to discover the steadiness and wonder that nature continually provides.”
Our Chief Executive, Corinna Csaky said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Lemn Sissay to Farms for City Children as an ambassador. Lemn’s compassion, creativity and commitment to young people combined with his belief in the power of nature align perfectly with our mission. We are very grateful for his support as we work to enable even more children and young people to grow happier and healthier on our farms, for fifty more years and beyond.”
Photo of Lemn Sissay: Ivan Weiss
