I want to congratulate all the Ledbury young poets but in particular my three students: Nicole, Phoebe and Lucy. Their hardwork has paid off. Sorry for being so slow posting this!!
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Judge: This year’s judge for adults, young people and children was Ian Duhig who won the National Poetry Competition twice, and also the Forward Prize for Best Poem; his collection, The Lammas Hireling, was the Poetry Book Society’s Choice for Summer 2003, and was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize and Forward Prize for Best Collection. Chosen as a New Generation Poet in 1994, he has received Arts Council and Cholmondeley Awards, and has held various Royal Literary Fund fellowships at universities including Lancaster, Durham, Newcastle and his own alma mater, Leeds.
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First Prize: Flora de Falbe for Girl
Gothic horror treatment of growing older full of wonderful imagery and turns of phrase.
Second Prize: Conor McKee for Premature Flight
a Ted Hughes-like realisation of the natural world rendered with powerful and dramatic language.
Third Prize : Nicole Lai for Okay
in contrast to the above, a low-key and poignant poem of lost love
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Highly Commended:
Phoebe Boswall
Jonal Corren
Lucy Hely-Hutchinson
Iris Pearson
The winning poems can be read here.
The Poetry Shed 
Congratulations to everyone – all the young poets and to you, Abi. You must be very proud 🙂
This is such a wonderful achievement for these young poets. Well done to all of them and to the tutors who have inspired and guided them, particularly to you, Abi. They are so lucky to have you!
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