Guernsey International Poetry Competition 2025
Judged by Imtiaz Dharker
Our Judge for 2025: Imtiaz Dharker
Imtiaz Dharker is a poet, artist and video film maker, and the Chancellor of Newcastle University since 2022. She was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2014. Her seven collections, all published by Bloodaxe Books, include Over the Moon and the latest, Shadow Reader. Her poems have featured on BBC Radio, television, the London Underground, Glasgow billboards and Mumbai buses. She has had eleven solo exhibitions of drawings and scripts and directs video films, many of them for non-government organisations working in shelter, education and health for women and children in India.
Filter judge Candy Neubert was born in Guernsey. Her poetry collections Channel and Island are inspired by Guernsey.
Poetry winners’ reading at the Guernsey Literary Festival
Guernsey is an exceptional and inspiring location for a literary festival with an abundance of natural beauty and a thriving Arts scene. The 2025 Guernsey Literary Festival takes place from 25th April – 4th May 2025
The festival offers a varied and energetic celebration of literature with something for everyone – from aspiring writers to families looking for a fun day out. For more information on events in 2025 visit guernseyliteraryfestival.com.
We invite you to join us for the International Poetry Competition Winners’ Reading on Friday 2nd May 2025.
Categories & prizes
Three finalists in each category, and a further 12 poems for the bus exhibition will be selected by the judge. The judge’s decision is final.
Poems on the Move Exhibition 2025
Nine finalists, three from each category.
Poems on the Buses Exhibition 2025
All nine finalists, and a further 12 poems from all categories.
Open Poetry
Entries £4 per poem
or enter 3 poems for £10
1st prize £1000
2nd place £500
3rd place £250
Channel Islands’ Poetry†
Ages 18 and over, born
or resident* in the
Channel Islands
Entries £4 per poem
or enter 3 poems for £10
1st prize £250
2nd place £50
3rd place £30
Young People’s Poetry†
Aged 11-17*
Free Entry
1st prize £250
2nd place £50
3rd place £30
For more information email: [email protected]
2025 Winners
Imtiaz Dharker
Open Poetry
Channel Islands’ Poetry
Young People’s Poetry
Poems on the Buses Exhibition
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Bus
BADGE Frank Lowry
Read poem -
Bus
The Breath Nairn Kennedy
Read poem -
Bus
The Dark Scott Elder
Read poem -
Bus
the four am phone call Juliette Hart
Read poem -
Bus
Gust Margaret Wilmot
Read poem -
Bus
Other People’s Trees Stuart Henson
Read poem -
Bus
Petty Theft Conlan Heiser-Cerrato
Read poem -
Bus
The Red Pillar Box Sarah Lawson
Read poem -
Bus
The send-off Martine Padwell
Read poem -
Bus
Silly Caterpillar Daisy Mattless
Read poem -
Bus
“Titanic cup found in kitchen could sell for £2000” Harriet Truscott
Read poem -
Bus
We the living Bronwen R. Evans
Read poem