The Chris Salmon Poetry Extravaganza 2015

Calling all budding poets in Wirral - details of the region's annual celebration of poetry have been announced, as The Chris Salmon Poetry Extravaganza 2015 is open for entries.

Held in conjunction with Wirral Libraries, the competition is held in memory of poetry-loving Chris Salmon, a student at Calday Grange Grammar School who died from a rare streptococcal infection in February 2009 aged just 15. Last year's competition was an enormous success, attracting over 850 entries from across the region.

The theme for 2015 is 'Light', and the competition is open to Wirral adults and students of all ages. Cash prizes will be awarded to both winners and runners-up in each age category (Age 11 and Under; Ages 11-16; Age 16-18; and Adults), and they will also be invited to attend a workshop hosted by a local renowned poet. The overall winner aged 18 or under will also become Wirral's Young Poet Laureate for the following 12 months.

Chris’s mother Julie Salmon said:

“We are absolutely delighted how much the popularity of the competition has grown, attracting 850 entries last year with the age of the entrants ranging from 5-90 years. We hope that the amount of entrants for the 2015 competition will surpass even last year’s record amount. We are so grateful for the magnificent support we receive from Wirral Council’s Library service as without their support the poetry extravaganza would not exist."

Cllr Chris Meaden, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said:

“Last year’s competition saw hundreds of adults and young people send in their poetry. I know the judges had a really difficult decision to make because of the high standards that were set, and this year will be no different.

It’s always a pleasure to be able to celebrate Chris’s life, and the impact his memory and legacy continues to have on Wirral, thanks to the Salmon family.”

Submitted poems must be no longer than 30 lines. Entry is free, and all entries must be submitted by 15th January 2015.

Winners will be invited to read their poems at a Presentation Night on 27^th March 2015 at Bromborough Civic Centre.

Entries must be on or attached to an official entry form (downloadable here) and submitted by 15^th January 2015. Entries can be submitted by email to dianemitchell@wirral.gov.uk, or in an envelope marked ‘FAO Diane Mitchell’ to Birkenhead Library, Borough Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 2XB

For full competition details, see www.chrissalmon.org.uk