Lattitude BBC Poetry Competition- Winner to Open the Festival with Their Poem
Following a successful debut in 2024, Latitude Festival, in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, is excited to announce the return of its poetry competition for young writers. Originally launched in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk, the competition has expanded to include BBC Radio Norfolk and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, further widening its reach across East Anglia.
The 2025 competition invites children aged 7-11 from Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire to explore the theme of Friendship. The winner will perform their poem live on Latitude’s Waterfront Stage. The competition launches today to mark World Poetry Day.
Last year’s winner, 11-year-old Anna from near Lavenham, impressed audiences with her heartfelt poem The Mother Tree, a powerful piece about the environment. Anna’s moving performance on Latitude’s Waterfront Stage stood out, inspiring many young poets to embrace their creativity. The 2025 competition continues this momentum, encouraging children to reflect on the significance of friendship through their poetry.
Melvin Benn, Founder of Latitude Festival, stated, “Latitude Festival has always celebrated the power of words and the creative spirit, and this poetry competition offers a wonderful opportunity for young voices to find a platform. Following last year’s incredible response, we are delighted to continue fostering a love of poetry and to provide more young poets with the chance to express themselves and share their unique perspectives. I hope this competition evolves into a nationally recognised platform where young poets from across the country can showcase their passion for poetry and articulate their individual voices.”
Latitude Festival has a proud history of hosting some of the UK’s most renowned poets, including Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Salena Godden, and punk poet Dr John Cooper Clarke. The winner of the 2025 competition will have the honour of opening the festival with their poem on the evening of Thursday, 24th July 2025, on Latitude’s stunning Waterfront Stage.
How to Enter:
Children aged 7-11 from Suffolk, Norfolk, or Cambridgeshire are invited to submit an original poem on the theme of Friendship. The competition officially launches today Friday, 21st March 2025 (World Poetry Day) at 7am.
Entries will be accepted until midday on Friday, 11th April 2025. Poems must be no longer than 200 words and should creatively explore the meaning and power of friendship.
To submit an entry, and view the full Terms and Privacy Notice, visit:
Entrants must either reside in or attend a school in Suffolk, Norfolk, or Cambridgeshire.
Meet the Judges:
A distinguished panel of judges from the worlds of poetry, broadcasting, and the arts will review the entries:
- Sarah Lilley, who presents the Daytime show 10:00 – 14:00 on BBC Radio Suffolk, said: “It was amazing to introduce last year’s winner on stage at Latitude. Whoever wins this year will have an unforgettable experience. I have two young girls, so I know how creative young people can be and the theme of friendship will really resonate with them.”
- Louise Hulland, who presents the afternoon show 14:00-18:00 across BBC Radio Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire said: “This is such an amazing opportunity for a young poet, and it’s great the competition has grown to cover our three counties. Poetry and creative writing is a huge part of the afternoon programme and BBC Local Radio is all about being a friend to our listeners, so I’m really looking forward to reading all the entries.”
- Kirsty Taylor – Arts Curator for Latitude, responsible for programming arts performances, including comedy, spoken word, theatre, visual arts, and dance. Kirsty said: “Friendship can so often be one of the most surprising aspects of life; a backdrop to memorable moments, a foreground source of conflict and comfort, and a way of discovering new lenses through which to see the world. I can’t wait to see how young poets interpret this theme and capture an image of friendship, and to hear our winner share their poem at Latitude this summer.”
- Luke Wright – Renowned East Anglian poet, Luke has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most popular live poets. He has won multiple Saboteur Awards and has performed at every Latitude Festival. Luke said,” Friendship is a gift. Our friends lift us up, they enrich our lives, they bring us joy. Capturing joy in a poem is no easy thing but when it’s done well it makes for such wonderful reading. I want to see those moments of joy friendship can bring. After the brilliant entries we had last year I gave high hopes. I can’t wait to read your friendship poems.”
Key Dates:
- Launch: Friday, 21st March 2025 (World Poetry Day), entry form live from 7:00 am.
- Entry Period: Entries are accepted for four weeks, closing at midday on Friday, 11th April 2025.
- Winner Notified: By Friday, 30th May 2025.
- Winning Entry Announcement: Wednesday, 4th June 2025, on BBC Radio Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire.
- Winning Poet’s Performance: The winner will perform their poem at the Latitude Festival on Thursday, 24th July 2025, opening the festival on the Waterfront Stage.
The Finalists:
Three finalists will receive an invitation to the Latitude Festival 2025 with their families. The overall winner will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform their poem in front of a festival audience.
Additionally, the poems of all three finalists will be published on Latitude Festival’s website and broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, showcasing the next generation of poetic talent.
To submit an entry, and view the full Terms and Privacy Notice, visit:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4YJfvYJRDTs8LL1jjSPpRMp/poem-co
