Three local poets have been announced as winners of 'The Writing on the Wall' poetry competition in Mansfield. An awards ceremony was held at Mansfield Museum to celebrate the winning and shortlisted poets, who received their prizes and copies of a printed anthology of 15 shortlisted entries.
About the competition
Launched in March by Mansfield District Council, the competition invited local people to submit poems inspired by words from Mansfield's Memorial Garden, including community, hope, kindness, courage, strength and respect.
More than 60 poems were entered into the competition. A mural to be added to the rear wall of the Old Town Hall, which overlooks the garden, will be inspired by words from some of the submitted poems.
The winners
First prize went to Stephanie Bognar with her poem "Stop and See". Stephanie, who is Mansfield born and bred and works in education, said she was not expecting to win. She described herself as having written "a few nonsense rhymes" for herself in the past but not for a long time.
Runner-up was Lisa Brown with her poem "Kindness". Lisa is a volunteer at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield. She said she was inspired to enter because her volunteering role made her aware of the need for kindness towards others.
Third prize went to Laura Leedham with her poem "Stones that Hold our Stories". Laura works with children with special needs and said she entered because the theme words resonated with how she feels about Mansfield, her hometown.
Project background
The competition was part of Mansfield Townscape Heritage Project, which is helping to repair the rear wall of Old Town Hall and create the mural. The poems were judged anonymously by Mansfield Poet Laureate Richard C. Bower, who attended the awards ceremony alongside Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams.