Call for Entrants: Bard of Exeter 2014 Competition Now Open!

The Exeter Bardic Chair is appointed by the Caer Wyse Gorsedd, or meeting of bards, through a public competition. 

We ask all candidates to be at the Bike Shed Theatre by 7pm on the 23rd February, the date of the competition. The proceedings start at 7:30pm. We aim to have elected a new Bard and finish the event by 10:30pm.

Each candidate is asked to provide two things on the evening of the competition:

1. Up to seven minutes of your own material, which may be song, poetry or story, or a mixture of these. Traditionally, the material is presented without a script, but as long as you can perform to the audience, we won’t be too strict.

2. Provide a manifesto (not more than 200 words) of what you would do if you were to become Bard – for the city of Exeter, the arts scene and the Bardic traditions. If you have any particular project in mind, this would be the place to mention it. The manifesto will be read out by you before or after your performance.

After all the candidates have performed and read their manifestos, the audience will vote for their favourite. There will be a break while we add up the scores.

The only requirement as Bard is to organise the next year's competition to find your successor. Any other duties are optional - it is up to you to do what you want with the role, and each person brings their own talents and ideas to the Bardic Chair.

The winner is presented with a robe and chair, which is in their safekeeping for a year and a day, when it is passed to their successor. You are required to take a simple vow on winning the title. The Bardic tradition.

 

Any questions, please ask. Please confirm your intention to take part, via email to bard@farmhouse.ac, by Sunday 16th February 2014.

You can find out further details at the organiser's website. Please contact them directly with any questions. Thank you!

Current Recommended Poetry Competitions (Free and Fee-Based)

Rialto Magazine - Nature Poetry Competition 

Closing Date: 30th September 2013

Competion is run in partnership with the RSPB, and will be judged by poet and broadcaster Ruth Padel.The poetry magazine and Europe's largest conservation charity are encouraging poets to submit work in response to the competition theme, 'Nature Poetry'. Prizes: Publication in The Rialto, 1st Prize £1000, 2nd Prize £400, 3rd Prize a place on a creative writing course at Ty Newydd in 2014 (worth £540).
Entry Fee: £6 for the first poem and £3 for each subsequent poem Contact: For rules and to enter visit: www.therialto.co.uk
For further information: Matt Howard, RSPB and a member of The Rialto's Advisory Board, 01603 697515 or matthew.howard@rspb.org.uk

National Poetry Competition 2013 

Closing Date: 31st October 2013

Details:
Prizes:First Prize: £5000, Second Prize: £2000, Third Prize: £1000, Seven Commendations: £100. The top-three winning poems will be published in Poetry Review. The winner is also invited to read at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in July 2014. Up to 150 entrants will also be offered a discount on selected activities from the Poetry School. Winning and commended poems will be published on the Poetry Society website when the competition prizes are announced in spring 2014. Judges: The judges of the 2013 National Poetry Competition are Julia Copus, Matthew Sweeney and Jane Yeh. The National Poetry Competition is an award for individual poems that are previously unpublished.
Entry Fee: £6 for first entry, £3.50 for subsequent entries Contact: Postal Entries: National Poetry Competition, The Poetry Society,22 Betterton Street, London, WC2H 9BX, UK
Enter online: http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/competitions/npc/

The Colour of Saying - Dylan Thomas Creative Writing Competition 

Closing Date: 27th April 2014

Details:
For ages 10 to adult. Responses invited to the poem 'The Hunchback in the Park'. They can be in poetry, prose-poems, prose, diary form, and letter form. The best of the submissions will be judged by international writers/translators and published in an anthology which will appear on the 27th October 2014, the centenary of Dylan Thomas's birth. The remainder of the submissions will appear in phases on website. Part of the remit of the competition is to encourage trauma or war victims, prisoners, abused wives or husbands, immigrants or refugees to a new country who do not speak the country's language and so entries are welcome in the writer's mother tongue (whatever the language is) or in the writer's dialect, together with (if possible) an English translation. Submissions are limited to one page each for the original and translation. Please see website for full details.

Entry Fee: £0.00 Contact: Submissions must be sent to colour@dylandownthups.org.uk
as a word attachment, which should include the age of the entrant and contact details.
www.dylandowntheups.org.uk

 

PRESS RELEASE – YOUNG PEOPLE’S MUSEUM BOOKLET PROJECT

ART AND HISTORY COLLIDE AT THE WISBECH AND FENLAND MUSEUM

To launch the call for submissions for their latest project, the Young Curators’ Forum is proud to present a free creative workshop with Fenland Poet Laureate Leanne Moden and Lead Young Curator Brandon Mattless.

The project has been made possible with support from local arts organisation Atelier East and the Cambridgeshire based charity, Young Lives.

The workshop is suitable for adults and children over 11, and participants will be invited to use museum artifacts as a creative springboard, writing short stories, drawing pictures and composing poems based on their response to the objects and displays.

Leanne and Brandon will lead a series of activities designed to help get the creativity flowing, and there’ll also be plenty of time to look around the museum for inspiration.

The workshop runs from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday 11th May at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum, Museum Square, Wisbech. Participation is free, but places are allocated on a first come, first serve basis, so please call the museum on 01945 583817, or email info@karen-harvey.co.uk to book your place.

The Young Curator’s Forum will also be putting together a booklet of creative work celebrating the Wisbech and Fenland Museum, and they’d like to hear from you.

Submissions can be in the form of poems, short stories or drawings, but all must be based on or inspired by the collections at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum. Adults and children of all ages are welcome to enter. Please send your submission to infor@karen-harvey.co.uk with your name, contact telephone number, and the name of the museum artifact that inspired you. The closing date for submissions is Friday 31st May 2013.

Emily Wilding Davison Centenary: writing competition

A national writing competition has just been launched as part of the Emily Inspires! programme of events to mark 100 years since the death of Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison from injuries sustained when struck by the King’s racehorse at Epsom Derby and to commemorate her Northumberland roots. The writing competition is run by audio entertainment site listenupnorth.com in partnership with Northumberland Libraries.

Judges include writers Wendy Robertson, Michael Chaplin and Janet MacLeod Trotter. There will be first, second & third prizes for both national and best of Northumberland entries and the winning entries will be read out over the Emily Inspires! Centennial weekend in Morpeth (13-15 June) and recorded for listenupnorth.com. For more information go to www.emilyinspires.net.

Our Pick of Current Poetry Competitions!

Lindfield Arts Festival : Poetry for the People Competition | Closing Date: 31-Mar-13

Details:
Poets are invited to contribute one A4 page of their poetry (one or more poems) to be displayed in the windows of village shops, cafes, restaurants etc. for the public to read and, if they so wish, to rate by a mark out of 10 on voting slips inside the premises. No prizes but exposure of the most popular in local media and a souvenir booklet. See website for full details.
Entry Fee: £0.00 

Contact: The Poetry Organiser, Lindfield Arts Festival, 45 Meadow Drive, Lindfield, West Sussex RH16 2RS

www.lindfieldartsfestival.com/about/festival-activities/poetry-festival/

Poetry-next-the-Sea Competition 2013 | Closing Date: 06-Apr-13

Details:
For poems up to 40 lines. Maximum of three poems per entrant. Judge: Heidi Williamson. First prize, £100; then £50 and £25. Part of the Poetry-next-the-Sea Poetry Festival.
Entry Fee: £2 for 1 poem; £4 for 2 poems and £5 for 3 

Contact: Full details and entry form at: http://www.poetry-next-the-sea.com/pages/competition.html
Send your entries to:
Poetry-next-the-Sea, 93 Queen's Road, Fakenham, NR21 8BU
Cheques payable to: Poetry-next-the-Sea

The SCJ Poetry Award | Closing Date: 30-Apr-13

Details:
Poem up to 40 lines. Themes (which may be broadly interpreted): Childhood. Culture. Education. Prizes: Adults: 1st £1000 2nd £700 3rd £300. Under 18: 1st £250 2nd £150 3rd £100. Commendations (£10 book tokens): five adult, ten under 18. Judges Moniza Alvi and Catherine Smith. An anthology will be published. This competition is in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young which raises awareness of heart conditions and funds investigations and screening programmes for those at risk of sudden death.
Entry Fee: £0 for under 18s. Adults: £5 for up to 3 poems. 

Contact:
The New Malden Health Centre, 4 Blagdon Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4AD
Cheques made payable to CRY
www.c-r-y.org.uk/index.htm

Templar Poetry Pamphlet and Collection Awards 2013 | Closing Date: 07-May-13

Details:
Short collections of poetry of between 18 and 24 pages are invited, containing poems of any length or style, provided each page contains no more than forty lines. Submissions should also include Title & Contents information. Winning poets receive publication in a Templar Poetry Pamphlet, a Launch Reading at the 2013 Derwent Poetry Festival and an opportunity to submit a collection for consideration and publication. They also receive a cash prize of £250. Up to 30 runners-up will be published in a Templar anthology. The judge is Alexander McMillen. See website for full details.
Entry Fee: £20 (online); £18 (postal) 

Contact:
www.templarpoetry.com/collections/awards/products/the-templar-poetry-pamphlet-collection-awards-2013

 Please contact the organisers directly with any questions, thank you!

'Hats Off To Our Heroes' Poetry Comp for Notts School Children

Budding writers could be in with a chance to see their poem published in a souvenir programme to commemorate Notts Armed Forces Day.

On Saturday 29th June, Nottingham will play host to the fifth Armed Forces Day National Event - a day to celebrate the outstanding work undertaken by the Servicemen and women who make up our Armed Forces, past and present. 

Organisers are inviting primary and secondary school children in Nottinghamshire aged seven to 18 to take part in a poetry competition on the theme of ‘Hats off to our Heroes'.

Winning entries, no longer than 100 words, will get a £50 voucher and will have their poem published in the official Armed Forces Day souvenir programme.

Entries should be sent on email to jean.jackson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or posted to Learning, Engagement & Collections Team at Nottingham City Museums & Galleries, c/o Communities Courtyard, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 2AD by Thursday 28th March.
Source: Worksop Guardian

Could You Be Stamford's Next Poet Laureate?

John Hegley performing at Verse 2012 after Stamford's first ever Poet Laureate, Darren Rawnsley, had been announced

 The role of Stamford Poet Laureate was established in connection with Stamford's first poetry festival Verse in March 2012.

If you, or someone you know, is a secret Wordsworth, Keats, Burns- or perhaps something totally new and extraordinary, the role is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your talent and hold the honorary title of Stamford Poet Laureate.

Although the role is unpaid, the title is recognition of your talent and a launch pad for your poetry career, giving you a unique role in the community and further afield.

Duties:

• To fulfil the Poet Laureate tenure of one year
• To promote and raise the profile of poetry within the community - to be 'the face' of poetry in Stamford.
• You will be expected to work closely yet flexibly with Stamford Arts Centre on poetry activities/events. 
• To write poems on request themed around Stamford/a specific event/season/etc.
• To attend local events and make appearances.
• To be willing to raise the profile of poetry in local and national media. This will mean you will be available for interviews with newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations when necessary.

Closing date for applications is 31st March 2013, you need to submit the application form and a typed copy of one of your own poems. The Poet Laureate final is on 24th April 2013. For further information and to download an application form, please visit www.stamfordartscentre.com.

Good Luck! 

Magma Poetry Competition Closes soon!

Hello Poets,

There are three days left to enter Magma’s poetry competition

Three days to send through your best poems of 11 to 80 lines for Gillian Clarke for the Judge’s Prize.
Three days to send through your best poems of 10 lines or fewer for the Editors’ Prize.
£1,600 of prize money will be shared by 15 winners.
All 15 winners will be published in Magma 55 in 2013.
All 15 winners can read at the Competition Celebration Reading on 18th February 2013.
Closing date 16th December 2012.

Full details can be found here http://magmapoetry.com/competition
Good luck!

Magma Poetry, Registered Office: 23 Pine Walk, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 4ES, UK.

From Magma Poetry.

Open: 2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition - First Prize: £5,000

Literature Wales is delighted to announce that the 2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition will be co-judged by none other than former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke. Welsh poet Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch will continue in her role as competition filter judge.

The competition is now open and accepting entries. The first prize-winner will walk away with a cheque for £5,000 for just one poem. Further prizes available are £500 for second place, £250 for third plus five runners up will receive £50 each. The competition is accessible to all; it doesn’t matter if you are an established poet or just dabble with verse now and then. All entries to the competition will be judged anonymously, so this is a great opportunity to have your poetry judged on its own merits.

So if you think you have what it takes to delight our judges and get your hands on the top prize of £5,000, then send us your poems now. Just make sure your poem is no longer than 50 lines long, is unpublished, in English and is not a translation of another author’s work, then send it, along with your entry form and payment, to Literature Wales. Full guidelines and Conditions of Entry can be found in the entry form.

Click here to download a copy of the entry form
or to receive a hard copy in the post, send a stamped, self addressed envelope to:
CIPC13, Literature Wales, 4th Floor, Cambrian Buildings,
Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FL

For more information on the 2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition,
contact Literature Wales on: 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org

The 2013 Cardiff International Poetry Competition is administered by Literature Wales
and supported by Cardiff Council.

Source: Press release

Poetry Kit Summer Competition 2012

Poetry Kit's competition this year is for poems on the theme of "the natural world" (this can be broadly interpreted). There are no style or length restrictions but it should be stressed that a short poem is just as likely to be selected as a longer one.

1st prize is £100.

ONLINE ENTRY ONLY
Entry is by email to comp@poetrykit.org after an appropriate fee is paid by Paypal to the account of info@poetrykit.org and all entries must be received before midnight 30th September 2012. Entries received after this time will be discarded.

First prize is £100 and the winning poem plus those sellected for special commendation will be published at the Poetry Kit website:

Entry fees are as follows;
1 poem    £3.50
3 Poems  £8.00
5 poems  £10

Competition Judge; Lesley Burt
Lesley Burt retired from a career in social work and social work education in 2009. She has been writing poetry for the last 12 years, had many poems published online, as well as magazines and anthologies, including: Tears in the Fence, Poetry Nottingham, The Interpreter’s House, Roundyhouse, and Dorset Voices, and in the recent Robin Hood Book, edited by Alan Morrison. She has been placed in several competitions, including 3rd place in the Bedford Open 2011, 2nd place in the Alan Sillitoe Open 2012 and 1st prize in Christchurch Writers’ Poetry Competition 2009 & 2010.  Lesley runs a poetry group that aims to encourage the writing and enjoyment of poetry in her local community. One of her sessions developed into a chapter included in: Teaching Creative Writing, edited by Elaine Walker, published in 2012 by the Professional and Higher Partnership.

Competition Rules

Poems, which must be in English, can be on any subject and presented in any form or style .
There are no restrictions on content.
All poem must be the unpublished work of the person entering them into the competition.
The actual given name of the entrant must be given, even if the poem is to be published under a pen name.
Poems should not have any indication within them to allow for the identification of the poet.
There is no length or content restrictions and a short poem is just as likely to win as a longer one.
Poems must be entered by email to comps@poetrykit.org after the appropriate fee is paid through PAY PAL in Pound Sterling (GB Pounds).
Please attach all entered poems in one attachment using a standard Poems will not be accepted by post.
We cannot accept alterations to the poem once it has been submitted.
Poems cannot be withdrawn from the judging process once they have been entered.
Although copyright will remain with the poet, we reserve the right to publish any shortlisted poem on our website.
The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Closing date is midnight on 30th September 2012



Disclaimer: This competition is not associated with Book a Poet in anyway. If you have any questions or queries please contact The Poetry Kit's organisers directly. Contact details provided above. Thank you.

The Ted Hughes Young Poets Award 2012

The Ted Hughes Young Poets Award 2012 is now open for entries.

Theme - Stages

Judge: Andrew McMillan.

• First Prize: £100
• Runner-Up: £50

in each of three age categories: 6 – 10 years, 11-14 years, 15-18 years.

Poems should be no longer than 40 lines.

Entry for the Ted Hughes Young Poets Award is free of charge, but each poem should be accompanied by an entry form.

The prize for the poetry competition will be awarded on Friday 19th October at The Ted Hughes Festival 2012.

Closing date for entries: Friday 6th July 2012.

Information and a downloadable entry form can be found at http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/readers/writing-competition/index.html

If you would like a hard copy of the leaflet, please send an sae to Anna Turner at Central Library, Northgate, Halifax, HX1 1UN.

For the Ted Hughes Young Poets Award please remember to include your age on the entry form.

Andrew Motion To Judge New Look Poetry Competition

The John Clare Cottage poetry competition is themed ‘Winning’ and local budding poets are invited to participate across three age categories; 11 and under, 12 to 17, 18 and over. Entry is free for the first two categories with a small entry fee of £4 for the 18 and over group. The deadline is 31 July when all poems should be received at John Clare Cottage.

Poems will be judged over the summer by a panel of judges chaired by Sir Andrew Motion. Finalists will be invited to read their poems at a prize-giving which will be a highlight of the Peterborough Poetry and Literature Festival, ‘We Love Words’. Cash prizes will range from £10 to £500. All winners and highly commended poems will be included in an anthology which will be published at the end of 2012.

www.clarecottage.org

01733 253330.

Send your poems to John Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough, PE6 7ED, following the poetry competition guidelines and mark the envelope Poetry Competition.

Poetry Library Competitions April 2012

Latest Competitions From the Poetry Library:

    Swale Life Poetry Competition April 2012 | Closing Date: 30-Apr-12
    Grey Hen Poetry Competition 2012 | Closing Date: 30-Apr-12

New Events:

    LONDON EC1: Andrei Codrescu at The Free Word | 16-Apr-12
    SOUTHAMPTON: 451 | 16-Apr-12
    LEEDS: Waterstones -- The Heart of It | 16-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: Contemporary Chinese Poetry | 16-Apr-12
    STAPLEFORD NG9: Lost the Plot | 16-Apr-12
    LONDON N1: Robert Browning and The Pied Piper | 16-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: The Blue Bus | 17-Apr-12
    LONDON EC1: Rack Press / Arc Poets | 17-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: Lumen Poetry Series | 17-Apr-12
    STAPLEFORD NG9: Creative Writing at the Carnegie | 17-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: A Summit Of Joyful Old Savages | 18-Apr-12
    LEEDS: Combined Arts Poetry Evening | 18-Apr-12
    WOODSTOCK OX20: Christopher Reid and Don Paterson | 19-Apr-12
    DEPTFORD: Bloodaxe anthology - TEN | 19-Apr-12
    PORTISHEAD BS20: Ragged Stone - Poetry, Story & Flash Fiction Open Mic | 19-Apr-12
    MANCHESTER: The Other Room 4th Birthday | 19-Apr-12
    MANCHESTER: The Other Room - 4th birthday | 19-Apr-12
    LONDON NW3: Laughter In The Dark! | 19-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: POLYply > 18: The Document | 19-Apr-12
    BRADFORD: Liz Almond and Amanda Dalton | 19-Apr-12
    CHELTENHAM: Cheltenham Poetry Festival 2012. | 20-Apr-12
    CHELTENHAM: Grey Hen Press Reading | 20-Apr-12
    LONDON NW1: Tomas Transtromer | 20-Apr-12
    BRADFORD BD1: We are Poets / Word Life | 20-Apr-12
    LONDON N13: Poetry In Palmers Green | 21-Apr-12
    BLIDWORTH: Workshop with Villia Bullock | 21-Apr-12
    Open Country 3 - Yeats and Pound at Stone Cottage in Sussex | 21-Apr-12
    BOURNEMOUTH BH2: Poetry Slam | 21-Apr-12
    CUMBRIA: Vicki Feaver, Ann Gray, Kim Moore | 21-Apr-12
    PORTSMOUTH: Creative Writing Workshop | 21-Apr-12
    LONDON NW5: Torriano Meeting House | 22-Apr-12
    LONDON SE15: Write with me on Mondays | 23-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: Nicholas Murray | 23-Apr-12
    LONDON WC1: The Farrago Spring & Sonnet SLAMs! | 23-Apr-12
    LONDON N8: Poetry Tuesdays - Crouch End Poetry Group | 24-Apr-12
    LONDON E1: Jawdance | 25-Apr-12
    FLAMBOROUGH YO15: Writers Retreat at Lighthaven | 25-Apr-12
    LONDON WC2H: Poetry in Translation | 25-Apr-12
    LONDON NW5: Ambit Magazine - Issue 208 Launch | 26-Apr-12
    LONDON WC2: Creative Writes | 28-Apr-12
    LONDON E2: The Word House | 28-Apr-12
    SOUTHSEA: Tongue&Grooves | 29-Apr-12

Events for Children:

    LONDON N1: The Pied Piper | 16-Apr-12
    CRAWLEY: A Roo in my Suitcase | 28-Apr-12
    LONDON N12: A Roo in my Suitcase | 29-Apr-12


The Poetry Library - subscribe to their free newsletter at info@poetrylibrary.org.uk

Winners of the Book a Poet & Term Times competition

In the December issue of Term Times we invited readers to 'Give Poetry a Sporting Chance' by writing a poem on the theme of sports to be in with a chance of winning a great prize – a family ticket to the Roald Dahl Museum and a selection of poetry books! Peterborough-based award-winning poet, Mark Grist, has picked the winners …

Congratulations to our under 7s category winner, Niamh Brown, aged 4, from Alconbury CE Primary School in Huntingdon.

'Running'

Running makes my legs ache

And makes me need some water,

Runners can be brothers, sisters, mums or daughters.

Judge Mark Grist said: “A very different take on athletics that’s as lovely as it is short. It also contains a wonderful 2- syllable rhyme that is very unconventional and really made me smile. I kept thinking back to it throughout the day – very original – well done, Niamh!”

Congratulations to our 8-11 years category winner Rebecca Hyde, aged 10, from William Stukeley CE Primary School in Holbeach.

'Bob’s New Sport'

There once was a fish called Bob,

That wanted to play a new sport.

First he tried football,

But he was so awful.

He needed some feet,

So he couldn’t compete.

Next he tried netball,

He got a foul whistle,

For using his head,

His fins were too short to shoot in the net.

He thought and he thought,

And found his number one sport,

He and Tom Daley,

Joined as a team,

It was the best synchro-diving,

That I’ve ever seen.

Judge Mark Grist said: “I really enjoy it when people use rhyme to tell stories, and Rebecca has told us a great one, that is also very funny. Some clever use of half-rhyme as well, which really adds to the comical tone of the poem. Very original as well.”

We’ve also chosen our favourite poems from the entries we received and Mark has commented on all the poems too ...

'100 Metre Race'

by Haytham Afittou, Aged 6

Bishop Creighton Academy School, Peterborough

The gun goes off,

The start of the race,

Run, run, run, fast as they can,

Passing the spectators as they’re cheering and having fun.

Running fast, fast, fast

The finish in sight

Run, run, run

They burst through the ribbon …

1st, 2nd, 3rd,

Hooray for team GB

Another 1st!

Mark Grist said: "Some excellent use of repetition and I like that you experiment with the use of an ellipsis. You present the race really well, and give us a fantastic boost at the end. I very much enjoyed it."

'Football'

By Ewan Brown, Aged 4

Alconbury CE Primary School, Huntingdon

If I were a footballer,

I’d run and score a goal,

And I’d be really happy

Unless it bounced off the pole!

Mark Grist said: "A lovely little rhyme in this that really made me laugh. Well done!"

'Swimming'

By Alice Kemp, Aged 10

Hemingford Grey School, Huntingdon

Under the water bubbles blow,

Turquoise waves stream and flow,

Panting, gasping, paddle along,

Got to keep speedy, got to keep strong,

Feel the water wave in your ears,

Getting my eyes stung is what I fear,

Kicking my legs up and down,

Spinning my strokes, not to drown,

Holding my breath as I dive deep,

The hard tiles is who I meet,

I feel the energy burst when I rest,

My heart pounds like a drum in my chest,

It’s keeping me sporty; it’s keeping me fit,

I’ll do every stroke, bit by bit,

I love my swimming; it’s so much fun,

I feel so brilliant once I’ve done,

I love the feel of swishing blue liquid,

I love the way I swim like a squid,

The best sport that helps you slimming

Is making you love enjoying swimming.

Mark Grist said: "Wow! What a fantastic and engaging piece about swimming. I loved it all, particularly the mention of the ‘squid.’ Some great rhyming couplets and your use of meter was exceptionally strong. Well done!"

'Sport is Great'

By Kyle Olley, aged 9

William Stukeley CE Primary School, Holbeach

Sport is great,

Sport is fun,

Sport can be played by anyone.

I like to watch,

I love to play,

It keeps me active every day.

Football, rugby, snooker, pool,

All of these are really cool.

Wear a hat,

Use a club,

Pot a ball,

Slam that good.

Play with a bat,

A rugby ball,

Back of the net,

Win them all!

Mark Grist said: "Some excellent rhythms in here, Kyle. You use rhyme effectively and I love the message that you’re sending to the reader."

'I Love Sports'

By Greta Domkute, aged 10

Ramnoth Junior School, Wisbech

Basketball is great,

A thing you will not hate,

Or football if you like,

Though some people prefer to ride on their bike,

Tennis is not bad,

But when they lose they’re sad,

In hide-and-seek they smiled,

Though some people got wild,

Do you like rugby?

It’s actually funky!

Mark Grist said: "I love the ending to this, and you cover a range of sports really well, Greta."

'On the Court'

By Jodie Tawn, aged 10

Murrow Primary School, Wisbech

On the court,

Hoop and ball,

Hope one of my players doesn’t have a fall!

Shoot and score,

Shoot and score,

Dribble that basketball around the floor.

The games with my class,

So gotta make sure I pass,

There’s no doubt people will jump and shout.

I’m not sure how

He just got a foul …

But that’s basketball for ya!

Mark Grist said: "This would make an excellent chant, it’s a very vocal piece. I can imagine your classmates chanting this to cheer you on in a sporting event. Well done!"

'The World Cup Shock'

By Charlie Moughton, aged 9

William Stukeley CE Primary School, Holbeach

I was in the World Cup Final

And we wanted to win

I looked at the World Cup trophy

And we couldn’t put this game in the bin.

We went on to the pitch

Our fans shouted with glory

There was so much pressure

And the game could go in a story.

We started the match

Our hearts were beating

Germany went on the counter-attack

And we were retreating.

The whistle blew

We were sweating

We looked at the manager

And he was fretting.

The second half started

And we just ran at them all

My friend Tom got a penalty

I stood on that spot nice and tall.

I went to the penalty

I scored with joy

My friends ran at me

Like a 10-year-old boy.

The whistle blew

I ran to my friend Sophie

I gave her a hug

And I held the heavy trophy.

Mark Grist said: "A good little story, here, with some effective rhymes – and a couple of two syllable ones in there as well."

'What Am I?'

By Emma Hunt, aged 11

Alconbury CE Primary School, Huntingdon

What am I?

I like to be kicked and chased after,

I can help people win a cup,

You try to kick me in a net,

In a game you can use any part of your body to move me, except your hands.

So, what am I … ?

I am a football!

Mark Grist said: "A fantastic little riddle, here. Well done, Emma!"

We hope you enjoy reading all the wonderful poems as much as we did. A big thanks to all the budding poets who entered and to our guest judge Mark Grist. Congratulations to Niamh and Rebecca - enjoy your prizes!