THE closing date for Ledbury Poetry Festival’s annual poetry competition is fast approaching, with entries due in by Thursday, April 28.

The rules and an entry form can be found on the competition page of the event’s website at poetry-festival.com.

There is no theme to the competition this year, and the prize includes the opportunity to participate in a reading on Saturday, July 9, as part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

There are three categories in the competition: adults (judged by Anthony Thwaite), young people aged 12 to 17, and children (judged by Mandy Ross).

Arts Council funding win

The Ledbury Poetry Festival learned recently that it had been successful in its application for funding from Arts Council England which means the festival has National Portfolio Status.

“We are delighted,” said festival manager Victoria Patch.

“The decision is a ringing endorsement for the festival which has an international reputation and is the largest poetry festival in the UK.”