YOUNG wordsmiths are invited to demonstrate their creativity in a competition dedicated to the memory of a writer and radio presenter.

Children are asked to celebrate their writing skills in the new competition dedicated to the late Sue Ellison.

Sue was a writer, director, actress, radio presenter and member of the Len Saunders Writing Room committee. It has been organised by the Len Saunders Writing Room Project who are based at Lucem House Community Cinema plus, on Corporation Street.

The competition will also give youngsters the chance to see their name in print and win a great prize as well. 

 

How does the competition work?

All entrants have to do is to write a poem on any subject in no more than 40 lines.

The competition is divided into two age groups: five to 11 and 12 to 16.

The winner in each section will receive a first prize of a £30 book token, a copy of a poetry book written by Sue Gerrard, the Writer and Poet in Residence at Lucem House and publication on the Lucem House website.

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The runner-up in each section will receive a £20 book token and a poetry book and third place in each section will receive a £10 book token and a poetry book.

The competition will be judged by Sue Gerrard, poet, author and playwright and Norman Weston, writer and playwright.

The winners’ presentations will take place at Lucem House during the Literacy Festival on Friday, July 22, or Saturday, July 23.

Rules of entry

  • Each entry should be no more than 40 lines long.
  • Only one entry per person.
  • The entrant should live or attend school within the borough of St. Helens.
  • Handwritten entries are acceptable but must be legible.
  • Each entrant should have the permission of their parent/guardian to enter.
  • Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash or other gifts.
  • Copyright remains with the author although the organisers reserve the right to use poems in competition publicity.
  • No correspondence will be entered into. The judges’ decision is final.
  • Entrants’ names or contact details must not be written on the entry but on the official entry form.
  • Relatives of the judges are not eligible to enter.
  • Entries cannot be returned so do not send an only copy

How to enter

All entries must be received by Friday, June 24, 2022.

For an entry form and to make a submission contact: poetrylucem@btinternet.com