BUDDING bards and potential poets from Evesham and Pershore are being urged to put themselves in the frame to be Worcestershire’s next Young Poet Laureate 2019.
This year’s competition was officially launched yesterday to coincide with National Poetry Day.
Young people wishing to enter the competition are asked to send in two poems; one on the subject identified for National Poetry Day, which this year is ‘Change,’ and another on a subject of their choice.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Word Up! webpage www.worcestershire.gov.uk/wordup.
to take the 2018 title with her poems ‘NATO’ and ‘Prisoner: DF8421’.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for communities, said: “Becoming Young Poet Laureate of Worcestershire offers an incredible experience. You will be commissioned to write for local campaigns or performing around the county and have a chance to share your work and develop as a poet.”
Natalie McVey, service lead for young people, added: “It doesn’t have to be daunting or difficult.
“It’s about rhythm, rhymes and creativity.
“To enter this competition, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t written much before – we still want to hear from you and you never know where it will lead.”
The closing date for entries is December 31 and the winner will be chosen at a live final on January 20, 2019 at The Hive in Worcester.
To be eligible young people need to be aged between 13 and 19 and live in Worcestershire, or attend a school, college, university or youth club in the county.
The winner is awarded a commission of £150 to write and perform poems throughout the year.
