Kids are being invited to enter a national poetry contest where they could win the chance to get their poems published on trains.
The competition asks children aged 5-13 to write about one of their favourite places to travel to on a Thameslink train, or a place on the train line they think other people should visit.
It is being run by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) in partnership with Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho.
Submissions are now open and will close on Friday 10 May. Ten lucky winners will then have their poems displayed on trains and at stations across the GTR network, so they can be read and admired by travellers far and wide.
They will also receive complimentary return rail travel for themselves and four family members – for a summer adventure of their choice.
Open for six weeks, the competition aims to encourage children’s creativity and reduce screen time by tasking young people to write a short poem about somewhere they love to visit by train.
To inspire young, budding poets, Joseph Coelho has written his own piece, titled ‘To Hastings We Go!’ and inspired by a family’s exciting trip to Hastings on a train.
Joseph Coelho, who will be judging the winning entries, said: “Poetry is a wonderful way to get children exploring their innate creativity and their voice, helping them to see that their words have power.
“One of my earliest memories of writing is during a poetry competition when I was twelve years old, so I am truly looking forward to reading the entries. I encourage the youngsters who get involved in GTR’s poetry competition to have fun with it and good luck to all who enter.”
Poems will be judged based on language and structure; theme; creativity; and uniqueness and inspiration.
Winners will be contacted between 3-14 June before the official announcement on 24 June.
To enter GTR’s Poetry in Motion competition and view full T&C’s, click here.
Submissions are open now and close 23:59 on Friday 10 May.
