The BHAC 2015 Sussex Poets Competition came to a close on Friday 25th September with a very enjoyable event at the Unitarian Church in central Brighton.
Following comments from the judge, Clare Best, on why she had chosen a poem the eleven short- listed poems were then read by the poets. The poems were both varied and of high quality and it was very effective to hear the poets reading their own work. Clare then read some of her own poetry, adding a professional gloss to the proceedings; with support from Barbara Bush, who had done much of the organisation of both the competition and the event, Clare also acted as MC for most of the evening.
Short-listed poets were presented with a certificate and book token and the three winners were presented with their cheques funded by our sponsors. We were beautifully entertained by local musicians, Timothy Lewis Thornton (piano) and Toby Hawks (viola), both at the start and the end of the event, and by an accordion and song in the middle from one of the short-listed poets, Hannah Rose Tristram. One of our sponsors, Higgidy, also provided a generous range of their individual pies, and the wine – and fruit juice – flowed.
BHAC’s Vice Chair, Marion Wilcock, thanked all of those taking part for a wonderful evening and in particular thanked our sponsors – University of Brighton, University of Sussex, Higgidy, and Brighton Taxis – for their much-appreciated support which once again enabled us to promote poetry across Sussex.
The competition results are listed, and can be individually accessed, below.
1st Prize – £500 University of Brighton Prize
Bubbles
by
Nichola May, Oxford
View PDF
2nd Prize – £250 Higgidy Prize
Teatime at The Clarkes
by
Christine Hollywood, Brighton
View PDF
3rd Prize – £150 University of Sussex Prize
Class Register
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by
Margaret Edwards, Chichester
View PDF
Highly Commended
Hot Cross Buns
by
Bryony Bishop, Brighton
View PDF
Woolf Wrote in Purple Ink
by
Jill Munro, Crowborough
View PDF
Commended
Almond
by
Hannah Rose Tristram, Brighton
View PDF
Bill’s
by
Tammie Cottingham, Hove
View PDF
Nocturne
by
Justin Grize, Brighton
View PDF
On Foredown Hill
by
Douglas Leitch, Hove
View PDF
Remember
by
Tom Cunliffe, Hove
View PDF
The Reason
by
Heather Johnstone, Bognor Regis
View PDF
We are grateful for all the work put in by Barbara Bush which made this year’s poetry competition such a success, and to photographer Becky Netley for her work throughout the evening.