News magazine of the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard in Leeds
News magazine of the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard in Leeds
Breathtaking creativity The theme this year was Home.
Secondary winner Charlie-Leigh between Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Patrick Davey and Rommi Smith
“While we must hope that our Prime Minister means the words he spoke about the importance of measuring the things that really make people’s lives worth living and not relying solely upon the index of GDP, we must, nevertheless, prepare ourselves for major reductions in state support for creativity. Award-winners, Primary category
Over a thousand entries were received for the 2010 Leeds Peace Poetry Competition, in four age groups – primary, secondary, 16 – 19 and adults. It was organised by Education Leeds and Leeds City Council in partnership with the Evening Post, University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University College and Together for Peace. Entrants were told that their short poem could include everything from a soldier’s thoughts of home while away to issues of domestic violence. The New World Steel Symphony 6
Orchestra played to the audience as it arrived. For the second year running, poet Rommi Smith was the chief judge, and at the awards ceremony in the Civic Hall a month before Christmas, she was full of praise for the winners in all categories, commenting on the way the poetic standards were improving. After insightful and sympathetic comments, she called them individually from the audience, and each one stepped forward bravely to read. Applause swelled, cameras flashed, smiles spread.
This event is well-established and popular, involving schools, universities and individuals, with many entries coming from well outside the city: in fact the winner in the adult category, Julie Hartley, lives in Toronto, Canada.
Bronwyn Brady, with sessions A number of associated poetry workshops took place in the community, run by Rommi Smith and Peter Spafford. coordinated by development librarian
This makes our competition even more important. The levels of creativity shown by many of the poets has been quite breathtaking.”
In 2003, it began as part of the Leeds Together for Peace Festival, but now exists in its own right.
Among the guests was Morley and Outwood MP Ed Balls, who commented, “Like the Stephen Lawrence award, which started here in Leeds and which works to promote understanding of diversity, I hope the Peace Poetry awards will become a national success.”
“In these difficult times it is even more important to encourage young people to get involved in peace issues through the creation of poetry,” Guy Wilson, chair of Leeds Peace Poetry told those present.
Short-listing of poems was undertaken by students at Leeds Trinity University College, along with their tutor Dr Paul Hardwick. Excerpts from poems appeared on a screen thanks to Charlie Atkinson.
Parents watch proudly
Rommi Smith is a poet and playwright who works to fuse spoken word and music. She is currently Poet in Residence for Keats’ House in Hampstead, former home of the Romantic poet, John Keats. 7