Big prizes in Betjeman poetry contest

Published: 17 June 2010
by JOSH LOEB

CAMDEN children are being encouraged to get inspired by their local area and enter a poetry competition named in honour of the late, great John Betjeman.

The poetry legend grew up in Highgate and wrote verse about Kentish Town and St Pancras station – which he famously helped save from demolition. 

First prize is £1,000 (£500 to the winner and £500 to the English department of her or his school). The first prize winner, runner-up and highly commended entrants will each win £50 of book tokens, while commended winners will receive books. The teacher or literacy co-ordinator who inspires the greatest number of entries will receive £50 of book tokens. Full details of the competition and entry forms can be found online at: www.betjemanpoetrycompetition.com

Alternatively, hard copy entries can be sent to: The John Betjeman Young People’s Poetry Competition, c/o Justin Gowers, 72 Vicars Hill, London, SE13 7JL.