Talent Shines Through In Poetry Comp
25 July 2011
Poetry competition judge Peter Sansom with second prize winner Jo Senior. Photo credit Nuno Saque Ferreira
The winners of the Buxton Poetry Competition and the Peak Photography Competition were recently announced at an awards ceremony at the Buxton Dome; the heart of the University of Derby Buxton's Campus.
The Buxton Poetry Competition, coordinated by Buxton Festival and the University's Buxton Faculty is now in its fourth year and received nearly 800 entries - a record number.
The competition judges, Sheffield based poets Ann and Peter Sansom, said: "We were very impressed by the numerous ways that the poets chose to interpret this year's theme 'fire'. Everything from Johnny Cash to celebratory candles and curries, recent political events to hell itself.
"The standard was very high, and the poems we struggled to place in winning order were all serious contenders for first prize."
The winner of the open category was Gill Learner from Reading, who scooped a cash prize of £300, with Jo Senior taking second prize. Hannah Rogers from Chesterfield won the Young People's Category and winner of the Children's category was Lucy Waltham from Lincoln.
Claire Rhodes, Development Manager for Buxton Festival, said: 'We were delighted to work with the University of Derby Buxton and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire to give gifted poets the chance to showcase their work at the Festival.
"Each year, we involve more than 2,000 people in creative arts activity through our community programme, and the sponsorship and assistance we receive from our partners is vital, as we work together to boost to the cultural activity in Buxton and the wider region."
