Bard of Exeter
L to R: Kimwei (Grand Bard of Exeter), Kev Payne (Bard of Exeter 25-26), and Ceri Baker (Bard of Exeter 24-25).
The Bard of Exeter represents the land & people of Exeter and surrounding areas for a year & a day, with a bunch of perks plus some fancy blue robes chucked in!
This year, the Bard of Exeter is supported by Exeter Library, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! Poetry.
Did you know Exeter is one of the few cities with the ancient right to appoint a Bard?
Exeter’s Current Bard of Exeter 2025 - 2026
Kev Payne – A former primary school teacher turned children's author and illustrator, once the proud Town Crier of Crediton (now shouting purely for fun!).
The Bardic role is a chance for you to make your mark on the city. Previous Bards have gone on to win national slams, become the Poet Laureate for Exeter City FC, and present poetry internationally at COP26 (to name just a few achievements!)
Any poet, singer, storyteller, rapper, or wordsmith aged 16+ and from Devon can compete for the title, with the winner chosen by a yearly public vote.