Ludlow Fringe Poetry Competitions are taking entries!

Deborah Alma, the Emergency Poet, and I have been having a wonderful time co-programming the Poetry Party at Ludlow Fringe.

The Poetry Party takes place from Friday 21 June to Sunday 23 June, and it has two poetry competitions, which are now very much open for entries.  The closing date for BOTH competitions is Friday 31 May.

Our Poetry Competition for over 18s is, and we are very thrilled about this, being judged by Helen Ivory.  The theme is 'The Longest Day'.  We expect you to be inventive and metaphorical about it, even if it is about midsummer...

Rules and how to enter info can be downloaded here, or from Ludlow Fringe's website.

And there's also a free and fun competition for young people aged 7-12, which will be judged by skilled and lovely poet and workshop leader Angela Topping.

Go on then, enter!  ;)

This is Ludlow Fringe!

I'm really happy to be working with Ludlow Fringe - an energetic young festival that will take place 21^st to 30^th June.  It will be hard to miss.  Like everyone this year, it's a tad short of dosh, but it's already attracting dozens of artists, musicians, poets, writers, comedians, dancers, singers and performers of all ages on a real wave of enthusiasm.

The idea is that Ludlow Fringe will build on its successful beginning in 2012 to put on some 50 events which will be accessible across the community, with many free and family-friendly experiences around the town centre.

Ticket prices will be kept low, with most events either FREE or under a fiver. 

So far there are plans for a lighthearted Poetry Weekend with pop-up readings, a Poetry Trail and workshops for children and adults: plenty of poetry just for fun.  The Emergency Poet will be on hand to dispense essential poetic first aid from her vintage 1950s ambulance.  

The town’s toes will tap to music ranging from Classical through Folk and Jazz to Rock.  A Visual Arts Trail is planned by local artists, young arts graduates and students.  Ludlow’s choirs are limbering up for special performances.  

There will be Comedy Club nights, Cabaret and Burlesque and a special Arts, Crafts and Vintage Market to give local artists and makers the opportunity to sell their works direct to the public.  And, to provide the essential and traditional Shakespeare production, there will have a company of young actors made up from members of Ludlow College and Ludlow School, who will be performing different plays at St Laurence’s Church over two nights.

Amazing place, Ludlow.