Torbay Libraries - with the support of the four Torbay Libraries Friends groups – announce the fourth year of their popular annual Poetry Prize in search of the best young poetry talent in the Bay. This year’s competition has an added element – to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War there will be a special prize for the best poem on the theme of World War 1 in each age group.

The competition is open to children aged between 7 and 16, and £250 worth of prizes will be shared between age groups 7 – 11 and 12 – 16. Entrants can write their poem about anything they like and in any style they choose. They’ll be competing for gift card prizes and the Torbay Libraries Poetry Cups with winners being presented at the Torbay Festival of Poetry on 25 October, an annual event that has attracted some of the best loved poets from all over the UK, including Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

The Poetry Cups and prizes have been generously donated by the Friends Groups of Torbay Libraries.

Participants can pick up an entry form at any Torbay Library or go to www.torbay.gov.uk/libraries/poetryprize to download an entry form and rules. The closing date is Monday 8 September.

Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Culture and the Arts, Councillor Dave Butt, said: “We are calling on the talents of young, budding poets to enter this year’s Torbay Poetry Prize. Poems can be in any style on any subject and this year we are looking forward to entries about World War 1 as part of the centenary memorial. I wish the best of luck to all our creative young people to get inspired to write an award winning poem.”

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