What is a Tyburn poem? It is a six line format consisting of 2.2.2.2.9.9. syllables. The first four lines rhyme and are all descriptive words. The last two lines rhyme and incorporate the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines as the 5th and 8th syllables.

The Restoration of the Tyburn Stone plaque on 2 October 2014 coincided with National Poetry Day.  Once the stone had been rededicated and blessed, nearby Tyburn Convent hosted an event where pupils from Hampden Gurney Primary School treated guests to specially written Tyburn format poems.

Ten pupils from Years 3 to 6 read their poems with the theme of Remember, accompanied by the school’s Literacy Co-ordinator Miss Gohar Avanesjan. You can read their poems here.

A fine example was reproduced in the commemorative programme for the day:

The Tyburn Stone – A Tyburn Poem

Mended.
Polished.
Planted.
Watered.
The stone has been mended, polished – new.
Where trees to be planted, watered – grew.

Pupils were presented with certificates and book tokens by Councillor Robert Davis, Simon Loomes and Mother Xavier.

To thank the Convent for their support a framed original map showing the Tyburn junction was presented to the Convent by Councillor Robert Davis.

Read about the Restoration of the Tyburn Stone plaque here.