Deadline for entries to annual Christopher Salmon poetry competition fast approaching

DON'T forget to submit your entries for this year's Christopher Salmon poetry extravaganza before the deadline on 19 January 2018. The Christopher Salmon foundation and Wirral Libraries have teamed up once again to deliver the annual poetry competition following the event's huge success in 2016. Now in its 8th year, the competition began as a tribute to former Calday Grammar School student Christopher Salmon who tragically lost his life to a rare streptococcal infection in February 2009, aged just 15.  The theme for the 2017 competition is "memories" and is open to Wirral residents of all ages. Both winners and runners up in each age category will be awarded cash prizes and will be given the chance to attend a workshop with renowned local poet John Hughes. The prizes will be presented by Mr. Hughes at an awards evening for the winners and their families at Birkenhead Town Hall. The overall winner for the aged 18 or under category will also become Wirral's Young Poet Laureate for the following 12 months; with all winning poems being published in an anthology which will be available for purchase.

Chris's Parents Julie and Rich Salmon said:- "We are absolutely delighted that the competition has grown so much in popularity and now attracts entrants whose ages range from 4 to 94. It is wonderful to be able to do something positive and creative in Christopher's memory which captures the imagination of so many talented people."

The Christopher Salmon Foundation was set up in 2009 and has so far raised almost £50,000 for charity in Christopher's memory. Full details of this year's competition and official entry forms will be available from Wirral libraries and on the charity's website. Completed forms should be returned to Diane Mitchell at Birkenhead Library by 19/01/2018.