How our poet laureate has embraced his new role

Simon Armitage’s output since being made poet laureate is to be lauded, while his musical counterpart prefers to keep a low profile

Poet laureate Simon Armitage read out his latest work, Fugitives, on Saturday on a hill above Morecambe Bay. Commissioned by the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Parks Act, it is Armitage’s third poem since becoming laureate in May. It follows Finishing It, a poem about cancer research, and Conquistadors, about the 1969 moon landing.

Armitage has taken to the post with far greater gusto than his predecessor, Carol Ann Duffy, who, while a fine poet, gave the impression that she hated penning odes in her official capacity. She had to be dragged kicking and screaming to write a few short and not very good lines for the wedding last year of Harry and Meghan.

Related: Sandettie Light Vessel Automatic by Simon Armitage review – collected poems