Winning Words is a major national poetry initiative of the Forward Arts Foundation for 2012.

 Winning Words is working with a group of selected town across the U.K. to act as beacons to inspire others to incorporate poetry into their towns and public spaces.  We invite you to be part of the legacy by taking part in Barnard Castle's Open Poetry Competition.

A Tale of Two Cities set in London and Paris and published in 1859 is the inspiration for this cometition.  Use the openind line from Dickens' novel:

'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' as the stimulus for a poem which for you reflects 2012.

Poems can be written to any length.  Entry is free but poems must be your own original work, in English and not currently submitted for publication nor for any other competition or award.  We can only accept one entry per person.

Entries must be typed in single spacing with double spacing between stanzas on single sides of A4.  Send three copies of your poem on separate sheets, one of which should bear your name, age, address, phone number and e-mail addresses on the reverse.

Post or deliver your entry to: Winning Words Poetry Competition, NeST, 25 Newgate, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NG.  

The deadline for receipt of entries is Wednesday 28th March 2012.