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LEDBURY POETRY

Ledbury Young Poets Competitions

Children’s Winter Competition 2025

LIGHTS

What does the word “lights” make you think of? The lights on a Christmas tree? Twinkly stars? Someone who lights up your world?

We’re running a poetry competition for local children aged 5-11, on the theme of “lights”. The winner will get the huge honour of switching on Ledbury’s Christmas lights!

To enter please go to our website, or see if your school is taking part! Closing date Monday 10th November at 5pm. Please only enter if you know you’re free on 23rd November to press that button!

Who can enter?

  • Young people aged 5-11 (primary age).
  • Must be able to attend Christmas lights switch-on event in Ledbury on Sunday 23rd November, 2025.

What’s the deadline?

  • The closing date is Monday 10th November 2025 at 5pm.

What’s the prize?

  • The winner will switch on Ledbury’s Christmas lights on Sunday 23rd November.

How to enter:

  • Please enter your poem using the online entry form on this website page. The competition is free to enter.
  • You may enter ONE poem only per person.
  • Submit your entry as a PDF file attachment only

Please read the entry guidelines below before submitting your poem.

Competition Entry Guidelines

If you have any questions or need assistance with the competition entry process please email sabeen.chaudhry@ledburypoetry.org.uk

  1. You may enter ONE poem per person. It is free to enter.
  2. Poems must be received by Monday 10th November 2025 at 5pm. Entries will not be accepted after the closing deadline.
  3. All entries must be submitted online through the entry form on this page, below these guidelines.
  4. Please submit your poem as a single PDF file where indicated when completing the entry form.
  5. All poems must be the original work of the entrant.
  6. The length of each poem must not exceed 40 lines (the title is not included in this line limit).
  7. The competition is open to young people aged 5-11 years.
  8. The competitor’s name must NOT appear in the poem or in the document file name – names must be included on the entry form details only.
  9. Please name your file with the title of your poem.
  10. All entries must be in English, original and must not have been published or have won competitions elsewhere. Copyright remains with the author, but Ledbury Poetry reserves the right to have entries performed at the Festival, on radio, TV, or stage, published on the internet, in an anthology or used for publicity purposes at any stage in the future.
  11. An automated email acknowledgement of the entry will be sent (please check Spam or Junk folders if you don’t see one).
  12. The decision of the judge is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  13. Ledbury Poetry reserves the right to withhold prizes if such an action is justified.
  14. Entries not complying with competition rules will be disqualified.
  15. The winner will be notified before the Christmas lights switch-on on Sunday 23rd November 2025, and must be available on this date.
  16. Ledbury Poetry is a registered charity – Charity No 1059465

Competition Entry Form

Children's Winter Competition 2025
To begin, please enter your age category above.
Now select the file containing your poem. The file must be a PDF. (See our help on saving your work as a PDF) The file must start with the title of the poem followed by the poem itself.  Do not include your name or any other personal information in this file.

Maximum file size: 1MB

This must match the poem in your file.
Your Name
Your Name
First
Last

If you are under 14 years old we need to know the name of your parent or guardian.  Please enter it here.

Parent/Guardian's name
Parent/Guardian's name
First
Last
Parent/Guardian Address
Parent/Guardian Address
Town/City
County
Postcode
Country
Repeat your email address to check for mistakes
If you would like to be kept up to date with news about Ledbury Poetry by email, please select 'Add me to the list'. If you are aged 13 or under your parent/guardian must approve. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking in the Unsubscribe link in any of the Ledbury News emails. Mailchimp will send you an email and you must click on the link in that email to confirm your subscription.
Name
Name
First Name
Last Name