Time To Get Writing for Buxton Poetry Competition
Buxton Festival’s acclaimed poetry competition is open for entries and has announced its theme for 2015 as ‘Time’. The competition is now in its 8th year, each year around 600 poets enter the competition from across the country and even further afield with entries coming in the past from the USA, New Zealand and Slovenia.
Poets of all ages and experience are encouraged to entrer the competition which has three categories – Open for adult poets, Youth for 12-18 year old poets, and Children’s for poets 11 and under. The top prize in the Open Category is £300 and winners in the Children’s and Youth categories will receive book tokens.
The Open category judge is acclaimed poet Helen Mort and the Children’s and Youth Category will be judged by Maria Carnegie from the University of Derby and renowned Derbyshire poet Philip
Past Youth category winner Hannah Rodger commented ‘I entered the poetry competition for a number of years. I was always so inspired by the writing themes. When I was fortunate to be declared one of the winners, there was the thrill of being invited to the awards ceremony. The thrill of seeing my work displayed in the Devonshire Dome with such wonderful poems was a truly fantastic experience. All I would say to anyone thinking of entering, have a go! ‘
Competition Co-ordinator Claire Barlow from Buxton Festival added that ‘entries are coming in thick and fast for this year’s Competition. Our theme of Time seems to have fired the imagination of poets from across the world – I’ve recently had an enquiry from Brazil! – but we’re always keen to receive entries from local people as well. Our closing date is 20th April so why not pick up a pen this Easter and enter a poem.’
To enter please request an entry form, email claire@buxtonfestival.co.uk, visit the Buxton Festival website www.buxtonfestival.co.uk or call the Festival office on 01298 70395