Raise Your Banners 2009

Song Writing CompetitionBack to top

The theme for the competition is: "Living in 21st Century Yorkshire"

Four finalists will perform at the Topic Folk Club on Thursday 5th November. The winner will be asked to perform the winning song at the Leon Rosselson's Birthday concert on the afternoon of Saturday 7th November.

Songs will be judged primarily on the lyrics which should be sent (with a £5 entry fee) to: Raise Your Banners Song Competition c/o Bradford Resource Centre, 17–21 Chapel Street, Bradford, BD1 5DT.

Details should include the writer, the performer/s (maximum 2) the tune, and date written. Please also include any explanation of the song which you would use by way of introduction when performing your song.

All songs must be original and received by 1st September 2009.

Further information can be obtained by emailing raiseyourbanners@gmail.com, making the subject of your email 'Song Competition', or by phoning Rob Martin on 01274 593585.

Poetry CompetitionBack to top

If you fancy turning your pen to writing poetry then why not have a go at entering your poem to our Political Poetry Competition. Poems are to be written on the theme of: 'Living in 21st Century'.

The rules for entry are:

Raise Your Banners Political Poetry Competition Rules

1. Poems must be original, unpublished, (including internet publication) and not have won any other prize.
2. They must be typed in English, on the theme of living in 21st Century Yorkshire and not exceed 50 lines.
3. No identification of the author should appear on the poem. Full details of name, address, email, telephone contact, and title of poem should be included on a separate page. There is no entry form.
4. Two copies of each poem should be enclosed. Please either send your poem as an e-mail attachment to raiseyourbanners@gmail.com making the subject of your email 'Poetry Competition Entry' or post them to Raise Your Banners Poetry Competition c/o Bradford Resource Centre, 17–21 Chapel Street, Bradford BD1 5DT.
5. Poems may be considered for inclusion on the Raise Your Banners website.
6. Copyright remains with the author, but the organisers reserve the right to display winning entries during the course of the Raise Your Banners Festival in Bradford 6/11/09 – 8/11/09; to publish them in the Festival programme; on raiseyourbanners.org; and to publish them in an anthology. Winning entrants may also be asked to read during the course of the Festival.
7. No alterations may be made to poems after entry.
8. Neither the judge nor any current member of the Raise Your Banners Committee is eligible to enter.
9. Winners and runners-up will be notified by post by 1/10/09.
10. All poems must be received by noon on 1st September 2009.

Poetry Competition WinnersBack to top

The winners of the Poetry Competition are:

• First place - Objective One by Steve Ely
• Second place - Men with balls by John Soltys
• Third place - Bright Flagsby Peter Cardwell
• Fourth place - Seeking Inspiration by Julia Deakin
• Fifth place - I am a soldier by Julia Deakin
• Joint sixth place - Wasta by Steve Ely
• Joint sixth place - Fylingdales (13/6/2009) by Janet Bowstead
• Seventh place - Sunflowers by Toni Schultz
• Eighth place - Chance City by Denis Clarkson

ompetition winners have been asked to read at Beehive Poets, the New Beehive Inn, Westgate on 2nd November at 8:30 pM and or at the BookFair at Kala Sangam, St Peter's House, Forster Square on 7th November at 11.30 AM or 3:30 PM.