New poem celebrates Lichfield’s heritage and community spirit

A specially commissioned poem about Lichfield celebrating its rich history and modern day community spirit has been gifted to Staffordshire city as part of a unique dedication ceremony.

Lichfield business-owner Laura Evans from Cathedral Hearing commissioned local poet Joss Musgrove Knibb to write about the city, marking the first time a Lichfield poet has been appointed to write a local work with the sole intention of giving it to residents for their enjoyment.

In the presence of Deputy Lieutenant Jeremy Cotton, the High Sheriff of Staffordshire Pritpal Nagi MBE DL, community leaders, school children, businesspeople and the Dean of Lichfield Cathedral the Rt Rev Jan McFarlane, Joss and Laura presented the city with an ornate handmade scroll.

The poem, titled Lichfield From Above, was received on behalf of the city by the Mayor Rosie Harvey-Coggins and Louise Fleming. Louise is the CEO of arts and cultural venue The Hub at St Mary’s which will become guardians of the scroll, on behalf of the city, displaying it for everyone to see and enjoy.

The original idea for the poem came from a conversation between Laura Evans and Lichfield resident Julian Fisher. They approached local poet Joss, all agreeing that they wanted the poem to celebrate the city and be enjoyed by its proud residents both now and by future generations.

As well as being kept on display in The Hub, every school in the city will receive a copy of Lichfield From Above for its library.

Also, as part of the project, local schools joined in a competition for pupils to describe in one word what Lichfield meant to them. Joss led a team of judges who considered over 220 entries and chose words like Magical, Cool, Fun and Love. All winners were presented with their own copy of Lichfield From Above plus creative writing gifts.

Laura Evans said, “I am incredibly passionate about supporting the arts, and commissioning a local Lichfield poet to write about our city; to celebrate its people, its culture and its unique character has been a dream come true.

“I did not anticipate how a small idea could grow into such a wonderful community project bringing so many people together.  It felt fitting that the poem should belong to the people of Lichfield and remain accessible for years to come.

“A huge thank you to Julian and Joss for joining me on this journey, it has been an absolute joy to work with them. Thanks also to Daniel Buckroyd of The Lichfield Garrick for being the emcee at our special event. Thank you to Lichfield City Council for supporting the project and final thanks to The Hub for agreeing to look after this precious poem.

“I am so very lucky to call the city my home. It is not just rich in beautiful buildings, culture, and history but in people – this project is proof. The poem has highlighted the fantastic community of Lichfield, school children, businesses, community groups, and volunteers.”

Joss Musgrove Knibb said, “When Laura and Julian approached me to write the poem, I didn’t want the work to solely concentrate on Lichfield’s beauty and rich history. Although both are a vital part of this fascinating place, they’re only part of the story.

“This city was made and is maintained today by its people – their skills, trades and commitment. The poem is a celebration of all Lichfeldians’ heritage and place in our community. Lichfield is a historic, beautiful and wondrous place, and its people ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming city.

“This poem is a personal thank you to the place I call home. We’ve celebrated the city with dignitaries, community leaders, volunteers, and friends at our special event. We’ve engaged with local school children, encouraging them to take joy in their own creative writing. The whole thing is a dream come true for any poet.

“Moving forward, I’m very excited by the prospect of the poem inspiring other artforms, including an exploration of the poem being set to music by the wonderful Cathy Lamb, our local Music Share award-winning organist, conductor, animateur and teacher.”

The full poem is below;

Rise up with me, rise up,

You will not fall,
Let's hover over church and hall and all
The busy happiness of place,
This place, this city built upon itself,
Its old foundations resting on the bones of Romans, Saxons, and of saints.
The city is a map of time laid out in beam and brick,

The centre thick with cobbles, lanes and spires.
The bells are choirs of ghosts long gone but clear enough

That if deep sleep forsakes you for the night,

They'll keep you company till light creeps in,

And city-sounds awake.
I would not take away or change a thing about my place,
Who could deface a stone and think themselves
A guardian of our home, this perfect patchwork left by souls who laboured here,

It is as dear as father, mother, family – at least to me.
And standing here we feel that love, that calling from another time

To keep it safe, to cherish it,

To live and perish gracefully within its boundary ditch,
This home, this Lichfield, city built by pilgrims and by trade,

This home we've made.

I write in praise of industry and intellect,
Of choristers who sing the Ave and Collect in ancient naves,
Of falcons nesting high up on the spires,
Of shop-bells, pubs and cafes, feasts and choirs.
You are a ship of time, and though your crews will change with every age,

And though the busy scholars try to pin you to the page

You travel on, through seas of love, and loss, and life,
And strife, and war, and peace, and progress.
You possess a spirit all of us can name,
Though ever changing, ever just the same.
I thank you, living city, for your providence,
For showing me the evidence that doing good is not a source of shame,
For all the souls who make life better, purely for the love of all of it,

Not fame or false acclaim,
For shining as a beacon to the heart,
For beauty and for poetry, spelt out in children, charity, and art,
In festivals and woods and light on water,
I am a daughter, and a pilgrim, long sent out to seek and roam,

And now, at last, I’m home.

Rise up with me, rise up,
We will not fall.
Rise up,
We are the lifeblood of it all.
The work of ages rests here in our hands,
A jewelled, strange machine creating
Love so fierce it binds us to this little plot of land,
This English city, reasonable and sane.
And when we’re gone and place the burden down
Another will rise up and lift it high again.
We are the preservation of this nation of Lichfeldians,
Custodians of something great, yet small.
Rise up, we will not fall.


Rise up, we will not fall.
In nightclub, factory and market square,
Guildhall, museum, library and Christmas fair,
There's life in motion there.
Come close, and listen to the music of a hundred babbling voices,
Let's eavesdrop on the tourists standing pondering their choices

Of which cafe, bistro, restaurant will get their trade.
Let's stand and watch the Bower-floats parade.
This city is just love and pride made manifest,
It is the best of us.
Rise up, and see the wonder that we made.
Rise up, and journey onward, unafraid.
Rise up, and make our hope a city wall,
That welcomes all the dispossessed by war.
We will not fail, or turn within, or falter,
From school and shopping centre, and from altar,
Rise up, and bless it all.
Rise up,
Rise up,
Rise up,
We will not fall.

Pictured from left to right: Louise Fleming, Joss Musgrove Knibb and Laura Evans