Young Chester poet scoops top prize

Jan 20 2011 Chester Chronicle

A YOUNG Chester poet has clinched the top prize of a competition hosted by the longest standing Cheshire Poet Laureate, W Terry Fox.

Emily Packer, of Handbridge, was crowned the winner of the Cheshire over 16s category in the Adoption Matters Northwest Poetry Competition, which was held at Gorton Monastery in Manchester last week.

Entries were judged by a panel of professional poets from across the region including Cheshire poets Joy Winkler and John Lindley.

Emily impressed the panel with her touching poem, Fruit Arranging, which perfectly interpreted this year’s theme of ‘Belonging’.

Emily said:“I am delighted to have won this competition. I have been writing poetry for a number of years and it is such a wonderful feeling to have the recognition of some very influential poets. ”

The winner of the under 16s category was Nathan Bailey, of Hartford High School.

Emily and Nathan were joined by finalists from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and North East Wales, Merseyside and Lancashire who received prizes from some of the North West’s most renowned poets.

All winning and selected highly commended poems feature on www.adoptionmattersnw.org.