For the fourth year in a row, the parish has had the privilege and pleasure of putting on the Farnham Poetry Competition as part of the Farnham Literary Festival, and the results were announced at an awards ceremony and open mic on Saturday, March 15th, at St Mark’s Church.
Poets as young as five and into their 90s took part, showing extraordinary creativity and talent as they tackled the subject of unity, something that is sorely lacking in the 21st century world, but which is surely an attribute of the one God, source of creativity, unity and love.
Poets Coral Rumble and Linda Daruvala were the judges of the 16s and under and over-16s categories respectively and had a tough job deciding on the winners. However, decisions had to be made and the results are below. Click on the links to read the poems.
Over-16s winners
One good foot – Richard Lister
Shared Disbelief – Lucie Rhoades
Rainbow – Cosmo Goldsmith
ONE – Chandra McGowan
Forty years on – Liz Kendall
Sword Dance, Woodland Stage – Liz Kendall
The twenty first century is not a friend of unity – Chris Hunter
THREE YEARS ON – Kate Young
Third prize:
New Atlantis – Liam Smith
Second prize:
‘direction of travel’ – Kate Kennington Steer
First prize:
Of Touch – Richard Lister
16 and under winners
12-16s
Highly commended:
Unity Poem – George Lovelock
Together – Jessica Jones
Third prize:
Timeless Duality – Emily Peters
Second prize:
Stars – Andrea Domingo
First prize:
But they still forget – Evie Goode
8-11s
Highly commended
Unity – Najia Eshaal Ali
Unity – Eesha Haque
When – Peggy Wingham
Third prize:
Me and You – Imogen Clark
Second prize:
What It Means to be Together – Alice Colombini de Mello and Penny Lockyer
First prize:
Family Brings Us Together – Max Heath
Under 7s
Joint first prize:
Family – Dolcie Della Jennings
Unity “Means Humanity First” – Naqasha Nawal Ali –
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 