Launch of poetry competition - how to take part

For those seeking inspiration in this period of lockdown, the East Riding Festival of Words has launched its Poetry Competition for this year.
By Sue Wilkinson
Published 11th May 2020, 15:34 BST
Judges Wendy Pratt, James Nash, Professor James BoothJudges Wendy Pratt, James Nash, Professor James Booth
Judges Wendy Pratt, James Nash, Professor James Booth

The competition will reach its climax with an event at North Bridlington Library on Saturday January 28 at 11am to celebrate the winning poets, hear from the judges, and listen to the winning poems.

The theme of the competition this year is My Companion, My Best Friend. Entries will be judged by a panel consisting of Matthew Hedley Stoppard and Wendy Pratt and James Booth, of the Philip Larkin Society, and led by James Nash,writer and poet, who shares his time between Leeds and Bridlington.

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Poems are submitted anonymously, so that each is judged purely on its merits. All the winners will be invited to the event at North Bridlington Library. Entries are open now, and cost £4 per entry.

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Prizes on offer for the winning entries include the £500 CollectionHQ prize (CollectionHQ are the leading collection performance improvement solution for public libraries); the £250 Philip Larkin Society Prize ( the Society was founded in 1995 to spread appreciation of his work, and to promote poetry); and the East Riding Gold Prize of £200 and the East Riding Silver Prize of £150.

In addition, there will be six highly commended prizes of £25 each - two for adults and two each for primary and secondary school pupils; a prison competition prize of a £100 voucher; and a young poets’ prize : school pupils could win £75, with four prizes for primary school pupils and four for secondary school pupils.

Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder for tourism, culture and leisure, said: “The poetry competition in the Festival of Words last year attracted more than 800 entries, and I am really hoping that this year’s competition will be just as popular, with many people able to get creative during their enforced time at home! We look forward to receiving some wonderful poetry from all age group.!”

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‘The theme is particularly relevant at the moment - I believe that people will be appreciating a best friend or companion even more than before, or may have found an unlikely best friend or companion throughout this pandemic?’

To enter, apply and pay via https://www.festivalofwords.co.uk/poetry-comp/