Teenage poets in Stone have until 5th July to enter a county-wide competition to find the next Young Poet Laureate for Staffordshire.
The county council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have joined forces to recruit a new Young Poet Laureate, who will hold the post for a year.
The prestigious competition aims to showcase the poetic skills of 14 to 18-year-olds across the two areas. The closing date for the competition is Saturday 5th July.
Entrants are being asked to submit two poems. The first should focus on how Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire is a great place to live, work and visit. The second can be about any topic. Competitors also need to submit a list of ideas explaining what they would do during their time as Young Poet Laureate.
Natalie Cotterill, a pupil at King Edward VI High School in Lichfield, is the first holder of the post, and has used her time in the role to write and perform poems at special events, and promote an enjoyment of poetry in younger people.
She said: “My top tip for candidates would be go with your gut. The best poetry for me is poetry that sounds natural. If you’re not sure whether or not to enter, just go for it. The worst that can happen is you don’t get shortlisted!”
The contest is open to youngsters who live or study in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to perform one of their own poems and another poem of their choice on Saturday 6th September at a venue in Stafford. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Young Poet Laureate will be announced on National Poetry Day, Thursday 2nd October.
Applications should be sent to Sue Ball at Staffordshire Libraries and Arts Service, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH or e-mailed to sue.ball@staffordshire.gov.uk
Rules of entry and an application form can be found by following the link at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries
