A WELL-KNOWN former Crediton teacher has become the new Bard of Exeter.

Kevin Payne, now a full-time children’s author, taught at Landscore Primary School is also the former Crediton Town Crier.

Kevin was awarded the title after a competition evening held at Exeter Library.

All of the competitors took to the stage during the evening.

Kevin took to social media after the announcement that he had won and said: “On Wednesday night (May 28) I had the absolute joy of sharing a stage with seven other competitors at Exeter Library to become the new Bard of Exeter. An evening full of word, song and imagination.

“Then, at the end of the evening, to be chosen to take on the role left me speechless. Hardly the most useful thing for a Bard to be!

“However, I now have a year and a day to find my voice and to help the people of Exeter to find theirs too.

“What an honour and to follow in the footsteps of Ceri Baker, I have big, fantastic, sparkly boots to fill.

“My thanks to Kimwei McCarthy, the Grand Bard, for their calmness and guidance on the evening and for the year to come I am sure.

“Thanks also to all of my fellow competitors for a truly memorable evening, I was completely lost in all of their performances which helped me to forget about any nerves I may have had!”

The other competitors were:

Micha Colombo – An Exeter-based writer and actor whose work spans theatre, film, storytelling and poetry.

Pixie Maz – Ex-backing dancer for Iron Maiden, one-time fortune teller to Russell Grant?? and now a kind-hearted pixie companion to those who need a little extra magic.

Jak Kearns – "Single poet seeking couplets. A bit of a bard already, only with a few more letters in the middle.”

Holly Ebony – Folk singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and Dart Valley woodswoman weaving melody and meaning through everything she does.

Jim Causley – Six-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee and once dubbed “the finest singer of his generation” by Mojo Magazine.

Susan Taylor – An ex-shepherd turned poetic wild woman, bringing earthy wisdom and fierce joy to the stage. Ted Hughes once said of her “full of watchful pleasure.”

Gideon Lawrence (aka The Old Wyvern) – A storyteller, swordsman, and charming crafter of tales and wit who hosts workshops and adventures.

Exeter is one of the few cities with the ancient right to appoint a Bard.

The Bard of Exeter represents the land and people of Exeter and surrounding areas for a year and a day.

This year, the role is supported by Exeter Library, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! Poetry.

Kevin added: “Honestly blown away to be given the opportunity to represent the city in this role.

“As a wise man once said, ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ but I also get a fancy chair and some blue robes which makes me more equipped than Spiderman.

“My manifesto mentioned two words; connection and play. Exeter, let’s get cracking!”