Mid & East Antrim school children are invited to write Jubilee Poetry

A creative writing competition has been organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council with the aim of finding poetry fit for a Queen.

School pupils are being encouraged to set down in verse their thoughts on what the Queen means to them and their families.

A judging panel will assess the best poems with the overall winner receiving a £100 book token.

There will also be runner up prizes of £50 book tokens, with pupils and their teachers invited to the Mayor’s Parlour to receive their winning certificates.

The winning entries will also be sent to Her Majesty the Queen.

Mayor Councillor William McCaughey said: “We hope our young people will be interested in taking part in this “Poetry Fit for the Queen” initiative and I look forward to their participation.

“This event is a good opportunity to encourage writing talent among young people and also allow them a channel to reflect their thoughts on this historic occasion of the Platinum Jubilee.”

Topics can include themes such as The day I saw the Queen, What the Queen means to me, If I could speak to the Queen, what would I say? or a general theme of the writer’s choice.

Entries can be submitted by email to [email protected] posted to David Hume, Civic Events Coordinator, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5EJ.The closing date for submissions is May 14.