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Betjeman Poetry Prize

Betjeman Poetry Prize

by Hampshire School Library Service - (SLS HQ) -
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betjeman poetry prizeFounded in 2006 to mark the centenary of the former Poet Laureate John Betjeman's birth, the Betjeman Poetry Prize attracts around 3,000 entries per year from across the UK. The competition aims to foster creativity in young people whilst discovering and encouraging the next generation of British poets. It is open to 10-13 year-olds living in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and closes on 31 July 2015.

Entrants are invited to write a poem on the theme of 'place'. This year's judges are the poet A F Harrold and the children's author Lauren Child.

The winning poet receives £1000 (£500 for the poet and £500 for their school or local library). Further prizes for the runners up and highly commended entrants. All prize winners are invited to an awards ceremony at St Pancras station, on National Poetry Day, 8th October 2015, where they will meet the judges and read their poems out loud.