John Togher, an English GCSE Lecturer at West Lancashire College, proudly saw his poem, Soul in the Soot, displayed at Wigan North Western station after participating in a competition.
John said he was drawn to enter the competition because of his strong connection to Wigan. He described the town as having a powerful identity and welcomed the opportunity to respond creatively to a place that had shaped him.
The competition offered an opportunity to share poetry with a wider audience, and he explained that, while poetry can often feel private, the public nature of the project was particularly appealing. John described his selection as both surprising and encouraging, given the high number of submissions.
This marks the second time John’s work has been featured in a railway setting, with another of his poems displayed at Wigan Wallgate station for approximately 16 years. The latest poem, titled Soul in the Soot, explores the town’s industrial heritage alongside the enduring spirit of its people. It reflects themes of pride, memory, working-class identity, and resilience, suggesting that Wigan’s history lives on not only in its physical landscape but also in the experiences and creativity of its residents.
Drawing on his background as an arts festival organiser and event coordinator, John acknowledged the challenges faced by creatives in the North. Despite these challenges, he emphasised a strong sense of pride within the artistic community. The poem was intended to feel rooted in Wigan’s past while celebrating the legacy passed down through generations, offering a contemporary reflection on the town’s identity.
As an English GCSE Lecturer, John regularly supports students in developing confidence in their own writing. When asked what advice he would give, he said: “I would tell them not to worry too much about making it sound ‘poetic’ at first. Start with something real: a place, a memory, a person, an object, or a feeling. The best poems, and the best writing in general, often begin with something simple but specific. I’d also say to use your senses—what can you see, hear, smell, and touch? Those details bring writing to life. A good poem, or any piece of writing, is often made by cutting, shaping, and choosing the strongest words. Writing is not about getting it perfect straight away; it’s about getting something down on paper and then improving it. Those are the same skills my students use in their GCSE English classes.”