This year’s poetry competition brought in excess of 400 entries, of which some 25 in each category made it through to a long-list.  Every poem was read several times, sometimes out loud and at different times of the day, in the extensive selection process.
I had no knowledge of the name of any entrants, or their location, until the judging process was complete, and the winners decided.
We certainly have encouraged many poets to enter a competition when they might not have done so, and were delighted that with her first entry, Cathy Bryant won the Humorous category.
The overall standard was impressive - in particular the quality of the multiple entries received, and it was a delight to read such diverse and excellent submissions.

It is with this in mind that for our  2011 competition  we will be awarding a special prize for the best submissions ( Minimum 7)  in the Poetry Competition.
This will be the opportunity for the winner of the special prize to have a book of their poems compiled, ( Maximum 40 ), and produced free of charge.

It was a little surprising not to receive more entries using poetic forms, but there were a few sonnets and villanelles, a couple of sestinas and one or two of the American short form, the minute.
 
Presentation let down other good poems – some were difficult to read, with each line centred on the page,or presented as one large block of text.  White space is an important part of a good poem.

In the final half dozen of each category, it became really difficult to select the winning order.
It is also interesting to note that the poets who have risen to the top are strong in the use of metaphor –one of the most powerful tools in the poetry kit.

Although there wasn’t an under 16’s category, we must mention the four entries from children.  These, one hopes, are the result of creative work going on in the classroom nowadays with youngsters who at that age are gloriously uninhibited, and who with encouragement will go on to enjoy writing poetry as they grow up. I  thoroughly enjoyed reading them.
         
              We have decided to send these young people a book token each as encouragement.  

Formal / free verse:
Cathy Bryant (2) Urmston,Manchester; Roger Elkin, Biddulph Moor; Julie Burke, W.Bridgford, Notts.; Sarah Wall, Altrincham; John Whitworth, Canterbury; Pamela Trudie Hodge, Derriford,Plymouth; Caroline Platt, Marple, Stockport.


Humorous:
Dilys Heston, Grantham, Lincs; Janet Turner, Brockenhurst, Hants; Sim Smales, Braintree;
Joan Butler, Austwick, Lancaster; Julie Burke, W.Bridgford, Notts; Geoff Owen, Hanwood, Shrewsbury; Tony Oswick (2), Clacton on Sea; Valerie Smith (2) Harrogate.