New bench unveiled to create poet’s corner at Ottery Library

A new £3,000 bench has been unveiled at Ottery Library to create a poet’s corner.

The bespoke seat has been financed through Section 106 cash – a levy paid by developers – and was officially opened on Saturday.

It is hoped that the bench will become part of a wider town project called the cultural triangle, which will comprise of the church, Queen Victoria Monument, the proposed Coleridge sculpture, the old town hall and the library.

Award-winning designer Angus Ross made the bench out of Scottish oak and designed it to look like an open book; it has two quotes from Ottery poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge carved in it.

Councillor Josefina Gori, who was part of team responsible for the bench, said: “The money was for town enhancement so it couldn’t be a normal bench, it had to be bespoke. Perhaps the Poet’s Corner bench will one day inspire some new poetry.”

An interpretation board will be made by the Men’s Shed and installed on the library terrace informing people about the bench.