Poetry
Competition
To commemorate Presteigne's twinning with the French town of Ligné in the Pays De La Loire, the Presteigne and Norton Twinning Association has decided to run a Children's Poetry competition with a French theme. So here is your chance to exercise your literary hand and learn more about our continental neighbours in France.
Who can enter?
Anyone aged 16 or less at the closing date − 31st December 2009 − is eligible to enter. This is about unity so there are no restrictions on the poet's nationality, although all poems must be written in English. Each entrant may enter as many poems as they wish, but these should be the original unpublished work of the entrant.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for poems about any aspect of French life, culture, history, etc. For example you may decide to write about French cuisine, chateaux and wines, French Kings or Presidents, the national football or rugby team, Paris or Cannes, the Arc de Triomphe or Eiffel Tower, Victor Hugo or Voltaire. The list is endless, so don't restrict yourself just to these.
For further poetry advice visit the Poetry Library Children's Zone. We are listed on the Poetry Library's competitions page. There is also useful advice to be found at The Writing Room, Poetry On Loan and the BBC Poetry Season website, which is essential viewing for inspiration and ideas. We are also listed on the Kudos website which lists a huge selection of poetry and writing competitions.
What are the restrictions on style and length?
You must write about your chosen topic in no more than 40 lines (excluding the Title and blank lines between verses) so you should try not to take on too wide a subject like 'The Complete History of France' for example. Your poem can be written in any style (eg. Free verse, rhyming quartets, sonnet, etc.) and should be clearly printed on white A4 paper in a standard font.
What can you win?
The winner will receive a cash prize (up to £150 depending on entry; guaranteed minimum of £40), a two-book hardback set of poetry 'The Oxford Anthology of Great English Poetry' and a copy of the Poetry Booklet compiled from the judges' favourite competition entries. There is an extra prize for Under 11s, of £15 and the competition's Poetry Booklet. Under 11s are also eligible to win the first prize, but may not win both. A few commended entries will also be awarded with a copy of the competition's poetry booklet. Further prizes will be offered subject to entry.
How much is the entry fee?
It costs just £1 to enter each poem, or £3 to enter a set of five poems. Schools wishing to encourage numerous pupils to try their hand at poetry and French culture may enter 15 poems at a fee of £7.
