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Poetry
enters the new media age in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's poetry competition
IT
and management specialist Con Connell, from Southampton,
has won the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Poem for Britain competition
with his poem Harvest Time: A Needlework Map Commemorating the Millennium.
Launching
the competition in the spring, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ asked viewers to match, "the
intensity and resonance of Blake" and write a poem that reflected
the UK in the 21st century.
More
than 5,000 undiscovered poets from around the UK put pen to paper
to share their thoughts on Britain today. And they wrote about sex,
big brother and suburbia.
Daisy
Goodwin, presenter of Essential Poems for Britain and editorial
director at Talkback Thames, believes: "British identity is
shaped by poetry - through the competition we also saw the fascinating
results of a cultural examination of the nation's self-perception."
A panel
of eminent judges - poet Roger McGough, writer and broadcaster Nigel
Williams and literary editor of the Sunday Times, Caroline Gascoigne
- chose three from the thousands of entries.
Con
Connell's Harvest Time will be acted out by Liza Tarbuck
tonight as part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO's Essential Poems For Britain
- a special programme at 7.30pm featuring the best of British poetry
in a contemporary visual anthology that celebrates what it is to
be British.
Daisy
Goodwin introduces a stellar line-up including John Hurt, John Thompson,
Nina Wadia, Sheila Hancock and Tim West who perform some of the
nation's best-loved poetry from stunning locations around the UK.
On
winning the nationwide competition, 49-year-old Con, said:
"The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Poem for Britain competition is a marvellous idea
for encouraging a wider interest in poetry, and I am delighted to
have won such a prestigious national competition."
Harvest
Time: A Needlework Map Commemorating the Millennium
Con
Connell
Our
village holds no special place
In history. Its public face
Would cause no traveller to pause,
Its landscape merits no applause.
We
love it though. And love declares
Its memories, in patchwork squares,
And fabric images that bind
The heritage we leave behind.
Each public, private thought portrayed,
Each delicately appliquΓ©d.
We
stretch our memories on frames,
Without exaggerated claims,
Knowing each proud biography
Embroiders our geography.
This warning, too, our needles know,
That as we reap, so shall we sew.
Essential
Poems For Britain, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO, Thursday 9
October at 7.30pm
Notes
to Editors
Second
place was awarded to Maggie Ward of Oxford with:
Earnestly
Seeking
Distinguished,
one-time colonial power,
Heart of oak, a naval soul,
Anchored uncertainly off Europe
Seeks harbour for similar role.
Mature,
vibrant, stylish nation,
Still fun-loving, young at heart,
Seeks creative cultural identity,
Interested in pop and modern art.
Witty
enthusiastic, sport-loving,
Not just a hope and glory land,
Seeks warmer cosmopolitan image
To suit a wide-ranging national brand.
Considerate,
sincere, yet confused country,
Values its past, yearns for applause,
Seeks genuine like-minded companions
For long-term friendship, possible common cause.
Third
place went to Ann Alexander who lives in Cornwall:
After
all that
On
Parents' Night, in the crumbling hall
of the Empire Street Infant and Junior School,
a discomfort of strangers met to discuss
their children's future.
No one knew
exactly why the fight broke out, but suddenly
twelve
Brummies, eleven Cockneys,
ten Taffies, nine Jocks, eight Micks,
seven Blacks, six Krauts,
five Scousers, four Frogs, three Pakis,
two Chinks and a Cornishwoman
were
cussing one another across their children's heads.
No-one
knew exactly why it fizzled out,
but all of a sudden someone said
I'd kill for a decent cup of tea.
later, seventy eight mums and dads went home.
Check
out the website -
- for tips from poetry experts, or to contribute to the poetry message
board.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Radio 4 celebrates National Poetry Day (Thursday 9 October)
with programming throughout the day, including a specially written
poem by Michael Symmons Roberts on Thought for the Day.
From
8.00pm, Ian McMillan travels around Britain visiting poetry landmarks
suggested by listeners and creates his own poem about our country.
Essential
Poems For Britain, a poetry anthology edited by Daisy Goodwin, was
published by HarperCollins on 6 October.
This
year is the 10th Anniversary of National Poetry Day. To tie in with
this year's theme, Britain, The Poetry Society has launched a search
for Britain's Poetry Landmarks.
For
more information please visit .
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
to launch search for a poem for Britain (14.02.03)
All the
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable.
Freeview
offers the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's eight television channels, interactive services
from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔi, as well as 11 national Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio networks.
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