Mansfield Town FC's poet to be featured in Leeds university book celebration

Richard C Bower, a former careers adviser from Whitwell, originally from Mansfield, recently released a poetry collection called 'Sanctuary.'

As reported by The Chad last week, the book- his second poetry collection - was rising in the Amazon Top 50 ‘Inspirational Books’ category. The 66-strong-poem collection comes after the 45-year-old’s first published work ‘Post Modern.’

After his story was shared across social media platforms last week, Leeds Beckett University got in touch with Richard. The university (formerly known as Leeds Metropolitan University and before that as Leeds Polytechnic), is where Richard studied social sciences and philosophy about 20 years ago, and where he is now studying an MA in journalism.

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Richard’s poems are now to feature as part of the university’s celebration of the annual World Book Day, this year being held on Thursday, March 4.

The former Mansfield Queen Elizabeth boys’ school pupil said: “Leeds Beckett University asked me if was interested in them showcasing my book. Things are snowballing for me and since the Chad story.

"As a writer you are thrilled that people read your words. When I set out on this journey writing was a form of self expression and a therapeutic exercise for myself, but now it seems to have seeded into something else where it is actually helping other people reading them during lockdown.

"When I first graduated I’d never have dreamt I'd have two books out 20 years later and that my university would be celebrating one of them on World Book Day. It’s quite an honour.”

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