Buxton Poetry Competition Flies Flag For Britain
6 October 2011
Buxton's 2012 Annual Poetry Competition Opens Today
Buxton's fifth annual poetry competition has been launched today (October 6), on National Poetry Day. The competition's theme for 2012 is Welcome to Britain.
Poets of all ages are welcome to enter - there are three categories:
- Open Poetry - for poets aged 19 and over
- Young People's Poetry - for budding poets between 12 and 18
- Children's Poetry - for children aged 11 and under
Competition organiser Claire Rhodes said: 'We chose the theme 'Welcome to Britain' to explore what is special about the UK and our national identity in a year that brings us the 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
"We hope it will inspire diverse interpretations, from celebrating the things that make our nation unique to highlighting current issues, reflecting on what makes us British and exploring how the rest of the world sees the UK.
"Welcome to Britain could inspire a wide variety of thoughts and emotions, from the personal to the political - the theme is intended to be as expansive as possible.'
The competition is run by Buxton Festival and the University of Derby Buxton. Last year almost 800 entries were received from across the country and all over the world including America, Australia and Canada.
Cash prizes totalling £600 should tempt entrants to the Open Category, and winning poets will also see their work in a unique exhibition at the University of Derby's Buxton Campus - the iconic Devonshire Dome - during the 2012 Buxton Festival.
This year's judges are Peter and Ann Sansom, both published poets with experience in all aspects of poetry, from writing and performing to editing and teaching.
The Buxton Poetry competition is also supported by the nation's former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion, alongside Lady Jasmine Cavendish, who are the competition's enthusiastic patrons.
The deadline for poems is April 6 2012 and entries are free for the Children and Young People's categories. More information and entry packs can be found on website www.derby.ac.uk/buxtonpoetrycompetition or from Claire Rhodes on by calling 01298 70395 or emailing claire@buxtonfestival.co.uk
