'Stories that made me' poetry competition opens

A poetry competition for all ages is open for entries.

The theme for this year's East Riding Libraries' Festival of Words Poetry Competition is 'The stories that made me'.

Nick Coultish, from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said it was an opportunity for poets to "share the moments in life that shaped them" and was a title that could be interpreted in a variety of ways.

The closing date for submissions is 10 January 2027. Winners will be invited to read their poems at a special event in March 2027. Top prize is £500.

Coultish added: "I can't wait to hear what people come up with."

Entry is free for school-age children and £4 per entry for adults.

The council said entries would be judged by Yorkshire poets Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Wendy Pratt, and local writer and poet James Nash.

Prizes for the winning entries include the £500 East Riding gold prize, silver prize of £200 and a bronze prize of £150.

In addition, the authority said there would be six highly commended prizes of £25 each, plus prizes for primary and secondary school-age winners.

The council said the competition accompanied its annual East Riding Libraries' Festival of Words which is being held from 2 to 10 October.

Talks and events will be held at local East Riding venues with authors Patrick Gale, Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge, John Ironmonger and author and DJ Dave Haslam.

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