National Trust unveils Ode to the Coast poem by punk poet Dr John Cooper Clarke

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

John Cooper Clarke polishes off public poem in praise of sea for National Trust coast campaign

A new poem celebrating 50 years of the National Trust's Neptune Coastline Campaign, called The Nation’s Ode to the Coast, has been published by punk poet Dr John Cooper Clarke - inspired by the reminiscences of more than 10,000 people.

Designed to thank Britons who have helped the charity during its decades of coastal conservation, the anthem was inspired by an open submission invite to lovers of the sea.


Cooper Clarke has completed the piece with his trademark style and droll tone.  A video of the poem features 17 people offering short, simple salutes to their coastline experience.

Containing inspirational quotes and images, the video is designed to prove how important the coast is to Britain. “That’s where the sea comes in” is the frequently repeated line of the poem, underlining its emotional importance to many.

A National Trust statement to the contributors said: “Your stories, words and ideas inspired this poem. Thank you for caring about the coast as much as we do."

Cooper Clarke said he was “overwhelmed” by the support from the public. “The contributions I received were very inspiring," he added. "It’s great to see people using poetry to tell their story."

The poet wasn’t the only volunteer impressed by the results. “The coast makes me feel incredibly nostalgic as it brings back so many happy childhood memories," said one of the video contributors, Simon Watts, who spoke of how many of his family’s fondest memories were at the seaside.

The poem will be officially released on National Poetry day on Thursday. Kate Martin, a coast and countryside ranger, expressed her gratitude to those who helped and explain the importance of protecting the coastlines of Britain.

“Caring for the coastline and ensuring it is managed in such a way that future generations can enjoy it is a huge responsibility and one we do not take lightly," she emphasised.

"We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate and value people’s help and support."

According to the trust, the majority of the population who live near the coastline describe it as “refreshing” and “inspiring”.

The National Trust’s Neptune Coastline campaign is one of the longest running environmental campaigns. The charity manages 775 miles of Britain’s coastline.

• Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/love-the-coast for more.

Three National Trust sites by the coast

Branscombe, Devon
Nestling in a valley that reaches down to the sea on east Devon’s dramatic Jurassic Coast, the village of Branscombe is surrounded by picturesque countryside with miles of tranquil walking through woodland, farmland and beach.

Blakeney, Norfolk
Wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the natural and dynamic coastline make for an inspiring visit to Blakeney, The moving tides, covering pristine saltmarsh or exposing the harbour, combined with the varying light of Norfolk's big skies, create an ever-changing scene.

The White Cliffs of Dover
The ‘Gateway to the White Cliffs’ visitor centre has spectacular views and introduces the visitor to five miles of coast and countryside through imaginative displays and interpretation.

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/science-and-nature/art538824-john-cooper-clarke-national-trust-coast-poem