Pioneering idea by famous venue in North Yorkshire will celebrate its heritage 'in a fresh way'

Ripon Racecourse has announced the appointment of poet and author Antony Pickthall as its first-ever Poet in Residence, believed to be the first role of its kind at a Yorkshire racecourse.

Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the six-month residency will see Pickthall create a series of original poems inspired by Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse, its unique atmosphere and the people, traditions and stories that shape the world of racing.

The project aims to connect audiences with the racecourse in new and unexpected ways by combining creative writing with digital technology.

The poems will be published initially through Ripon Races’ Facebook channels before becoming permanently accessible around the racecourse using augmented reality. Visitors will be able to scan QR codes at key locations to watch video performances of the poems read by the author.

The initiative is designed to celebrate the cultural heritage of racing while encouraging wider participation in creative writing and making poetry more accessible to new audiences.

Antony Pickthall said: “The funding will allow me to explore my poetry and celebrate one of the best-loved racecourses in the UK in a different way, hopefully capturing some of what makes Ripon special.

"It is also an opportunity to promote creative writing and to use new technology to present it.”

The residency reflects Ripon Racecourse’s commitment to broadening its cultural offer and creating new ways for visitors to engage with the venue beyond raceday traditions.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse, said: “Ripon Racecourse has always been about more than just the action on the track.

"We are proud of our heritage, our setting and the stories that make Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse such a special place.

"Appointing a Poet in Residence gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate those stories in a fresh and engaging way, while introducing new audiences to both racing and the arts.

"By combining poetry with augmented reality technology, we hope visitors will experience the racecourse differently, discovering moments of reflection and creativity alongside the excitement of a raceday.”

Antony Pickthall is a British author, playwright, poet and screenwriter originally from West Sussex and now based in North Yorkshire. He writes across a wide range of genres, including children’s and literary fiction, horror and fantasy.

His theatre work includes All Heads Turn, Bath Party, Catch the Pigeon and The Stunning Flight of Archibald Bone. His screenwriting credits include commissions for Channel 4, Granada and independent producers.

Pickthall published his debut short story collection in 2019 and is currently working on his first poetry collection.