Ledbury Poetry has announced the launch of the annual Ledbury Young Poets Competition, set to begin on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

This year’s theme is HOPE, offering young poets the chance to explore this powerful emotion through poetry. This might be hope for our planet, for change and empowerment led by young people. It might be hope for our families, for our friends and ourselves. It might be hope for people or hope for animals. Hope for friendship, community and to live in a more caring world.

Who Can Enter?
The competition is open to young people aged 18 or under by the competition’s closing date. Entries are divided into two categories:

• Primary School (5-11 years)
• Secondary School and Higher Education (12-18 years)

There will be five winners in each category, chosen for their creativity, originality, and how well they convey the theme of HOPE.

Important Dates:

• Launch Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• Closing Date: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 23:59 BST

What’s the Prize
The top ten poets will be invited to perform their work at the prestigious Ledbury Poetry Festival on Saturday, July 5, 2025. In addition:

• All winners will receive ‘Wildlife Watch’, a year’s junior membership to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.
• Book tokens will also be awarded to all winners.

How to Enter:

• One poem per person may be submitted.
• Poems must be submitted as a PDF file via the online entry form available at: www.ledburypoetry.org.uk Before submitting, please review the entry guidelines to ensure your poem adheres to all requirements.

Entry Guidelines:

• Poems must be the original work of the entrant.
• Maximum poem length: 40 lines (excluding the title).
• The competition is open to all young people aged 5-18.
• Poems must be submitted in English, must not have been published previously, or have won awards elsewhere.
• The poem’s title must appear in the file name, but the entrant’s name should not appear within the poem or file name.
• The closing date for submissions is Monday, May 5, 2025, at 23:59 BST. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
• By entering, participants grant Ledbury Poetry the right to use the poem for promotional purposes, including performances, radio broadcasts, and publications.

For inspiration and support, young poets are encouraged to visit local libraries and explore a series of poetry writing tips by former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho at Poetry Prompts Library - Book Trust

About the Partners:

• Ledbury Poetry: A registered charity dedicated to celebrating poetry in all its forms and supporting the next generation of poets.
• Herefordshire Libraries: Providing resources and support to inspire young poets across the county. Herefordshire Wildlife Trust: A charity committed to putting nature into recovery and
• inspiring communities to take action for the environment. Their vision is to protect and restore nature across the county by 2030.

Join the Conversation:
For updates on the competition and other opportunities, follow Ledbury Poetry on Facebook and Instagram.