24

Oct
2017

Alder Hey Hospital Poetry Competition

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is seeking talented poets to mark the launch of the Woodland Trust’s Charter for Trees, Woods and People.

Springfield Park, situated next to Alder Hey, has been chosen as one of ten sites across the UK for a ‘Tree Charter Marker’ sculpture. These sculptures will serve as a national monument to mark the launch of the Woodland Trust’s National Tree Charter during National Tree Week in November. The Charter is a new guide for UK society to build a future where trees and people stand stronger together.

To celebrate, Alder Hey has launched a poetry competition inviting members of the public to submit their own poems exploring the theme of trees and woods. Winning poems will receive £100 Waterstones book voucher and will be printed and displayed permanently throughout Springfield Park.

Poems can be of any length and in any format. Entries will be split into three age categories; 0-11 years old, 12-16 years old and 17 years old and above.

Each sculpture represents one of the principles underpinning the new charter. The 15ft sculpture, made of UK-sourced oak from the Crown Estate will bear special commissioned words by poet Harriet Fraser and images carved by master craftsman Simon Clements representing the importance of trees and highlighting the work Alder Hey is doing to promote health and wellbeing through connection with the natural environment.

Laura Naylor, Springfield Park Project Coordinator from Alder Hey, said: “As Europe’s only hospital in a park, the unique design of Alder Hey in the Park allows the best possible environment and experience for patients, their families and the wider community to encourage long term physical and mental health and wellbeing. This amazing partnership with the Woodland Trust allows us to celebrate our beautiful surroundings and highlight the value of the natural environment. We are really looking forward to reading a diverse selection of creative poems from all walks of life.”

The judging panel will include published poet and writer Harriet Fraser and Deryn Rees-Jones; Liverpool-born poet, and Professor of Poetry at the University of Liverpool. Deryn won the Eric Gregory Award and was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Her book Burying the Wren (2012) was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize and was one of the Times Literary Supplement books of the year.

To enter, email poem@alderhey.nhs.uk or via post to ‘Poetry Competition’, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Eaton Road, L12 2AP. Closing dates for entries will be Friday 17 November 2017. Winners will be announced Friday 24 November 2017.

The University of Liverpool is providing online resources and inspiration for thinking poetically about trees. Take a look and be inspired!

Further information is available online.

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