Poetry Results for our 2024 Competition
On Monday 30th September we held a small presentation afternoon in the Chamber to announce the winners of this year’s Poetry Competition.
Though unable to join us in person, seasoned judges Karenne Griffin and Gwynne Carnell sent through their results in advance, including encouraging feedback to all our entrants who took part.
The theme for this year’s competition was “What Home Means to Me”.
We had some wonderful entries for both our adult and junior categories, and the finalists performed their work on the day.
ADULT
I’ve been thinking a lot of what home means to me
As a place to return to with my family.
They’re the ones who mean most to me, sharing my thoughts
In a home I grew up in where standards were taught.
It might just seem a building in one little town
But it’s where I must go to if I’m feeling down.
It isn’t a grand place, it’s rather quite small
But whenever I get there I feel six feet tall.
I love the security home always brings
The familiar feeling of all of my things.
The place that protects me from troubles outside
Where I can be myself when I feel I must hide.
Full of comfort and trust, it’s so where I belong,
Where my memories are, with my feelings so strong.
A comfortable place where I let my guard down
And get help and support from those loved ones all round.
An area, a building, a childhood place
And I know I will find that familiar face.
Home is the place where I know there’ll be fun
From the laughter and joy shown by everyone.
Belonging’s important to people like me
It’s the basis of happiness, security.
Home means contentment, the great gift of love
Where you fit with the others like hands in a glove.
Spending my time showing family I care
And valuing all of the things that we share.
Our ideas may be different in what we reflect
But we still show each other our mutual respect.
So now you all know what my home means to me,
And when all’s said and done, it’s the best place to be.
Ina Carney
JUNIOR
I love my home, all nice and cosy.
My family makes me smile.
I like my bed.
A quiet place to lay head.
I wake up in the morning,
and think of how much I’m loved.
When I see my family, my face beams with joy.
I love to play.
Sometimes I play all day.
I love my home.
So safe and secure.
I like a lot of things.
But I love my family more.
Ebony Gibbons-Groves, age 9