An Interview With…
Leena and Max Batchelor A Poet and a Vehicle Mechanic… No, it isn’t the start of a bad joke. Instead, we caught up with the Worcestershire Poet Laureate, Leena Batchelor, and her son, Max, a VM and PTI, to chat about how they’ve been supporting The REME Charity.
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key part of joining the Corps is that you also become part of The REME Family, with all the support, relationships and belonging that brings with it. “Once REME, always REME!” That family tie extends beyond our Officers and Soldiers to their own families as well, whether they are parents, spouses, partners or children. Many realise this, giving to The REME Charity in multiple different ways in the knowledge that it will be there for them or their loved ones when they need it. Leena and Max Batchelor are two such people, who found ways to give to The REME Charity and The REME Family in the process. We caught up with them earlier this year to find out more about their connection to REME, how they’ve been fundraising, and their thoughts on poetry and engineering.
Hi Leena. Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? I’m Leena Batchelor, also known as Pixie Muse Poetry & Prose on my various social media channels (all the usual culprits – YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!). I work full time as a Headteacher’s PA at a Secondary School in the West Midlands, and as their Clerk to Governors. I’m also currently the Worcestershire Poet Laureate and a Writer in Residence for a local museum, The Commandery (famous for being the site of the final battle of the English Civil War!). I’m a mother of four children, and a grandmother of two boys. My eldest son (Max) is a REME Soldier, and my youngest son (Liam) is about to join the Royal Marines. I’ve been writing since I was about 16, and have three solo poetry collections (all available from myself or Amazon), as well as inclusions in several anthologies. I also perform as a Spoken Word artist locally; all of these events have moved online during the pandemic, which means my audience has spread globally and included performances streamed to the USA, Finland, Canada, Germany, and Poland! Writing poetry for me has always been both an emotional release and a way of understanding the world around me; I’m also renowned for getting lost in a good book! I adore travelling (sadly curtailed during the current pandemic), and often use long weekends away to find inspiration for my writing.
Most of our readers probably aren’t aware that there are Poet Laureates for some counties. Could you explain what the role encompasses? Most of the UK counties have local Poet Laureates; for Worcestershire, the post is awarded through an annual competition held by the Worcester LitFest in the Summer. Although the remit is up to each individual to detail, the general focus is upon promoting poetry in the local area and working with schools. I expanded this for myself to include promoting poetry as a tool for everyday life for everyone, and have several projects in the pipeline both for my tenure and afterwards. I also use the role as a vehicle to support various charities and organisations (mental health, forces, homelessness, etc.) – more important than ever at the moment.
them. Watching him come to terms with extreme and testing situations, knowing there is little you can do apart from being there, is difficult. It has definitely made us close as a family, especially when he is posted away from home. However, I also believe the military life has helped him grow as a person and uncovered skills and characteristics that he may not have realised otherwise. As a mother, I have always encouraged all of my children to follow their hearts and Max is certainly doing so - that makes me happy.
Engineering and poetry probably seem worlds apart to most people. Have you found any ways to bridge the apparent gap between them? In many ways, both are creative arts. The same way engineers visualise how things work and fit together, whether that be machines or buildings, I visualise how words can do the same. There are many beautiful examples of engineering in the country, as much as there are incredible poetic works. Bridging gaps between life and poetry is a subject I am very passionate about - poetry is not just for dusty library corners!
Max is a REME Soldier, VM and PTI, currently serving at Lyneham. What impact has his decision to join the Army, and the Corps, had on your family?
We’re all sick of hearing about it but I have to mention COVID. How have you found living through a year of pandemic, both as a military parent and with winning the Worcestershire Poet Laureateship in the midst of it?
Very much a double-edged sword (pardon the pun!). Naturally we’re all incredibly proud of him - it takes a very special and selfless person to serve. On the other hand, there are naturally times when we’re also very worried for him - his recent posting to Iraq being one of
Like everyone, I have had moments of utter desolation and despair, but I have also uncovered several moments of glorious hope, and beauty in human nature, and it is those that have been my lifeline. Knowing Max is in the military, I know he will be able to access the
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