THE THEME FOR 2020 IS  'THE IMPACT OF WATER'

The competition is open to everyone.

All shortlisted entrants will be invited to a celebration event at a date (to be confirmed) later this year *, at which prizes will be awarded by Zaffar Kunial, the Chief Judge for 2020.

Winning poems will be published on this website.

Entries should be no longer than forty lines and be previously unpublished either in print or online.

Entries are limited to a maximum of two per person.

There are three categories - primary school, secondary school and adult. In each category, collective as well as individual entries are welcomed.

All entries must be digital. Handwritten or illustrated poems are welcome, but must be sent by email in scanned versions.

The judges' decisions are final.

​Poems should be sent to  leedspeacepoetry@gmx.co.uk  - include your name and school or home address only in the body of the email, with the titles of the poems. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS FRIDAY 1 MAY 2020 *

​We are working in partnership with Yorkshire Water.

* Because of the pandemic, we postponed the gala and extended the deadline. Shortlisting has been affected too - but we are planning to have some results in mid-September. Thanks for your patience!