The Royal British Legion
Greater Manchester County School Poem Competition
The Royal British Legion is celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2011, and to mark this special occasion the Greater Manchester County is running a poem competition within the schools of the County. The theme for the competition is “The Poppy” or “Remembrance”(why should we remember). Poets are invited to use their imagination to interpret this theme which could refer to a time, a place, a person, a feeling or something completely different.
The Competition will be divided into 5 categories:
Category 1 - School years 1 – 2
Category 2 - School years 3 – 6
Category 3 - School years 7 – 9
Category 4 - School years 10 – 13
Category 5 - Cadet Units
The competition will be judged by a panel and the top 3 from each category will be put on show at the Imperial War Museum North next June, where the Royal British Legion are running a weekend of events to celebrate the 90th Anniversary. The general public will then get the opportunity to vote for the best poem within each category. The five winners will then go to the Annual Church Service in July at Manchester Cathedral and read out their respective poems during the service. The National President of the Royal British Legion who will be present will present all 15 poets with their prizes and certificates.
Prizes
§ Three finalist from each category will be selected by a panel of judges
§ The winners from each category will receive book tokens (£50, £30,£20)
§ The 15 finalists will have their work exhibited at the Imperial War Museum North on the weekend 10-12th June 2011 where they will be voted on by the general public for first place in each category.
§ The 15 finalists will be invited to the Annual Church Service in Manchester Cathedral on Sunday 17th July.
§ The winners from each category will have their respective poems displayed at the Church Service.
§ The closing date for entries is 30th April 2011
§ Poems must not exceed 40 lines and must be typed on one side of A4 white paper, illustrations can also be used
§ Poems are judged anonymously and the name of the poet must not appear on the poem
§ All poems must be accompanied by a completed entry form
§ Poems must be the original work of the author and previously unpublished
§ Maximum three poems per entrant
§ Each poem should have a title
§ Receipt of entries can be confirmed if a SAE is included with the entry form or if entered via email then a confirmation email will be sent
§ The 15 finalists will be informed after 1st June 2011
§ The judges’ decision is final
§ Copyright remains with the poet. However finalists’ poems may be used by competition organisers free of charge in promotional material or display for up to 2 years
§ Submitted poems may be printed in the media or featured on local radio/TV
Entry Details
§ Please complete and return the form to enter the competition per poem; keeping a copy for submitting the poem
§ Closing date for submitting the poem is 30th April 2011
90th Anniversary Gala Weekend 10-12th June 2011
The 15 finalists will be displayed at the Imperial War Museum North on the above weekend, were the general public will be able to vote for their favourite poems with the winners going forward.