The Waltham Forest Poetry Competition invites you to send us poems on the theme of WEATHER (or you can also send poems on the theme of WHETHER). Send us up to 6 poems of 40 lines maximum per poem (not including title). We’re offering over £1,000 in prizes in total, including local and national/international prizes and an additional prize for the funniest poem.
Entry fee for adults is from £3 and it’s FREE entry for young poets under the age of 18. CLOSING DATE IS MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2025. Our 2025 judge is the wonderful Lorraine Mariner.
The competition is open to everyone (UK and international). There are Adult and Young Poet prizes, plus separate Waltham Forest local prizes for people who live, work or study in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. You’ll also be automatically entered into the funniest poem prize if you type FUNNY on the page of each poem that you wish to be considered for the prize.
The top three poems in each category, plus the funniest poem, plus a number of Commended poets, will be published on our website. Our awards ceremony will be held at the Trades Hall, Walthamstow, London, on Tuesday 9 December, 7.30pm, where all winners and Commended poets will be invited to read their winning poem/s and our judge will also perform.
To enter your poems, and find out more, visit www.bit.ly/wfpoetrycomp
