A book honoring the work of a gifted poet and artist from Bewdley has been published one year after her passing.
Elizabeth “Betti” Moretti, who was 53, died in September 2023 from lung cancer. She was known for her talents as a singer, actor, artist, and illustrator.
Betti’s passion for the arts began her career in television, where she started alongside Richard Patching in Hagley. She later worked on children’s programs such as Scratchy and Co and served as a production assistant at Pebble Mill Studios. Additionally, she collaborated with local film producer Carl Timms on a film featuring Alison Steadman and James Cosmo.
As a poet, Betti wrote notable works including “A Genius Waiting to Happen” and served as Worcestershire’s poet laureate from 2018 to 2019.
After her funeral, her mother, Marie Moretti, reflected on her daughter’s vibrant spirit, stating, “My daughter was a hippie at heart. It was all about the sun, the sand, and the sea. Even when she became ill, doctors were amazed at her stamina.”
Marie hopes the new collection of Betti’s poems and artwork, titled Brilliant Betti, will help keep her memory alive. She said, “Betti died a year ago, but I want her memory to live on and her artwork to be shared. She has left her daughter Coco, who is now studying at Swansea University, a rich legacy of memories.”
The book is priced at £8 and is marketed as an excellent gift for aspiring poets. It coincides with The Bewdley Festival, celebrating Betti’s commitment to the local community, from crocheting a coat for a hugging tree at Bewdley Museum to helping raise £50,000 for charity through Wild in Art.
In addition, a local group called One Earth plans to establish an annual Betti Moretti Prize to support aspiring poets in the Wyre Forest area.
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