Hampshire Young Poets competition 2026
After a visit from Hampshire Poet Laureate, Damian Kelly-Basher, the boys are invited to take part in this year's competition. There are details below.
Theme: Food
The rustle of a bag of crisps in a silent movie theatre. The disastrous birthday cake that lives on in family folklore. The feeling of biting into the crunchiest of carrots. The comforting aroma of sizzling spices. The stink of a rotten apple long forgotten in your schoolbag. The chaos of baking with your baby brother. How warm rotis feel between your fingers.
Through this year’s theme we invite you to explore the world of food through your senses, your memories, your traditions and your emotions. Write a poem of no more than 14 lines and submit it for a chance to be one of this year’s winning poets.
Through this year’s theme we invite you to explore the world of food through your senses, your memories, your traditions and your emotions. Write a poem of no more than 14 lines and submit it for a chance to be one of this year’s winning poets.
Open: now
Closes: Fri 22 May
Judge: Hampshire Poet, Damian Kelly-Basher (Damian Kelly Basher – Writer and Performer)
Free to enter and open to young people across Hampshire in three age categories:
4-7 years | 8-11 years | 12-16 years
Info: www.winchesterpoetryfestival.org/young-poets-competition
First prize in each category:
£50 National Book Token
plus £50 P&G Wells Book Token for your school/education provider
Second prize in each category:
£25 National Book Token
plus £25 P&G Wells Book Token for your school/education provider
Third prize in each category:
£10 National Book Token
plus £10 P&G Wells Book Token for your school/education provider
Additionally, certificates will be awarded to three commended poems and three poems with the best line in each age category.
Hampshire Young Poets is a partnership between Hampshire Cultural Trust and Winchester Poetry Festival. Prizes kindly sponsored by P&G Wells and Paris Smith
