Ledbury Young Poets Competition Winners Announced!

Earthwords is the 2023 theme for Ledbury Poetry’s first ever dedicated Young Poets Competition, launched in partnership with Herefordshire Libraries! It was no easy task selecting ten winners from 134 poems. The Judges were Ledbury Poetry Director, Chloe Garner and Librarian Amanda Simmons.

Chloe Garner says, “I was looking for poems that showed ambition in what they were trying to do. Where I sensed the poet had put work and effort into their poem. And also where the poem either contained striking language, imaginative ‘leap’, or where the concept of the poem seemed original or held a distinct voice. I am sure my fellow judge, Herefordshire Librarian Amanda Simmons, will join me in offering heartfelt congratulations to all the winning and very highly commended poems and we encourage you to keep writing!”

Come and enjoy these poems at a special winners event at Ledbury Poetry Festival on Saturday 1 July, The Master’s House, Ledbury, 12pm – 1pm hosted by the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.

Follow this link to read the winning poems

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