PRESS RELEASE 27.2.23
LAUNCH of LEDBURY YOUNG POETS COMPETITION
‘EARTHWORDS’
Ledbury Poetry is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Ledbury Young Poets Competition that will celebrate and reflect on the precious environment of the Three Counties in which we live.
The Winners will be announced during Ledbury Poetry Festival on 1st July by the Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho. It’s the first time a poet has been the Children’s Laureate and we’re thrilled he will be joining us for this special occasion.
Ledbury Young Poets Competition invites 5 – 18 year olds to explore the natural world and to have a go at writing poetry prompted by the theme Earthwords.
The competition is open to anyone living in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and entries will be divided into two groups – primary and secondary education ages (5-11 and 12-18).
The competition is open from 27th February to 28th April 2023. Poems can be entered online on the Young Poets Competition page
Ledbury Poetry is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Herefordshire Libraries. There will be opportunities to join poetry writing workshops in the Easter Holidays across the county, and check out all sorts of fabulous books for inspiration via their special ‘Earthwords’ book displays.
Jan Nesaratnam, Senior Librarian at Herefordshire Libraries says: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Ledbury Poetry on this competition and look forward to seeing all the entries.’
Chloe Garner, Director at Ledbury Poetry says: ‘Words have power. Use them to open the ‘eyes of my eyes’ with your poem! I can’t wait to read them and I look forward to hearing the winners perform with Joseph Coelho at Ledbury Poetry Festival.’
The competition will be judged by Senior Librarians and by Chloe Garner the Director of Ledbury Poetry.
The top ten poets will be invited to perform their work at Ledbury Poetry Festival on 1st July. The Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, will award certificates to the winners live at the event.ss
You will find lots of ideas about writing poetry given in a series of short films by Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho at https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/childrens-laureate/
For more information about Ledbury Young Poets Competition please email Becky Shaw at production@ledburypoetry.org.uk
Ledbury Poetry Festival takes place 30th June – 9th July 2023 presenting a sparkling array of live and online events this summer. This hybrid Festival celebrates coming together in-person, whilst maintaining the wide and international reach online events achieved during the past few years. The full programme will be announced in April 2023 and will include a reading by the winners of the competition on 1st July.
Notes to Editors
Inclusive, International, Inspirational
Ledbury Poetry creates live and online programmes throughout the year culminating in Ledbury Poetry Festival each July. Now in its 27th year, it is the largest and most international celebration of poetry and spoken word in Britain, making Ledbury the home of poetry in the UK.
Ledbury Poetry Critics In 2017 Ledbury Poetry Critics launched its first year-long intensive mentorship programme, recruiting 12 critics of colour, and has been responsible for increasing the visibility of poets and critics of colour. There are now over 35 critics within the programme founded by Sandeep Parmar and Sarah Howe with support from Ledbury Poetry. Ledbury Poetry Critics introduce and chair events at Ledbury Poetry Festival this year. Full information on the programme can be found here: www.ledburypoetry.org.uk/home/ledbury-poetry-critics. Stephanie Sy-Quia, a Ledbury Poetry Critic, is the Guest Curator of Ledbury Poetry Festival in 2023.
Ledbury Poetry House is The Barrett Browning Institute on the High Street in Ledbury. Our new home is a hive of activity and welcomes visitors throughout the year to explore exhibitions, buy poetry books and gifts and join in workshops and events. Ledbury Poetry House also hosts the Box Office and a Bookshop during the Festival.
Ledbury Poetry Player ensures that events are available for everyone around the world to enjoy.
Ledbury Poetry Salons, Workshops, and Masterclasses are delivered live and online throughout the year. Look for programmes on our What’s On page.
Ledbury Poetry Learning projects include work in schools, weekly youth meetings, the ‘Crucial Creators’ and learning opportunities for 16-25 year olds.
Creative Pathways in the Shire is produced by Ledbury Poetry and develops opportunities for volunteering and career development in the creative industries across Herefordshire. www.the-shire.co.uk
For further information please contact Becky Shaw: production@ledburypoetry.org.uk
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