The results are announced in the major new national poetry competition launched by the Isle of Wight Poetry Stanza in 2009 In celebration of the Poetry Society Centenary 1909-2009 The “Island Voices” Poetry Competition came to an end with a prize giving event held in the Anthony Minghella Theatre at the Quay Arts Centre on Saturday November 14th 2009.

The prize presentation for the poetry competition was a real celebration of a very special year here on the Isle of Wight, as it marked 200 years since the birth of Tennyson, the Island’s most famous poet, who wrote some of his most famous works at his home on the Isle Of Wight.

The competition was judged, by one of the nation’s top poets, Gillian Allnutt, from Durham.  Prizes were announced and presented by Gay Edwards, High Sheriff, who gave an account of the event within her Isle of Wight High Sheriff Diary:

Gillian Allnutt, told us what she had found special about each of the commended poets and winners. This is a very difficult thing to do and she did it quite beautifully. A very scholarly performance following the reading of all the poems involved in the prize giving.

I just had to ’say a few words’ and present the prizes. At least I was able to mention my background in publishing when I worked with Cecil Day Lewis and for Leonard Woolf. Shameless name-dropping.

The prize winners of the Island Voices Open Poetry Competition 2009 were:

Under 18s

Commendations

Joe Buckwell – Castlehaven in autumn

Joey Oliver – Counting Crows

Kenza Thomas – Early in the Morning

Second overall prize

Lily Smith – Fishing off Fort Vic

First overall prize and Farringford Prize

Harry Hudson – A  Love Tonic in the Church

Adults

West Wight class

(for a poem relating to the West Wight, its landscape, seascape or history)

Second Prize

Pat Murgatroyd – The Coastguard’s Wife

First prize

Lynne Wycherley – Coal and Glass

Farringford  class

for a poem written to mark the year, about a national event or something of personal significance which happened in the year

Second Prize

Heather Freeman – Poem for a Birthday

First Prize

Carolyn King – Alternative Medicine

Overall Island Voices prizes

Commendations

Margaret Beston – On the Wing

Robin Ford – Frost at Newtown

Vera Morrill – Victoria Regina

Second  prize

Phil Powley – Chawton

First prize

Judith Nevill – A New Dinosaur

In partnership with the National Trust, West Wight Landscape Partnership, and Farringford, home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson on the Isle of Wight. This event marked the grand finale of the Poetry Society Centenary celebrations on the Island, and was a delightful afternoon with refreshments and entertainment.   It is hoped a further publication will follow of winning and selected entries within a centenary anthology.

For further information contact Stanza members: Edmund Matyjaszek or Camilla Lambert visit www.poetrysocietyisleofwight.co.uk