During his two year tenure,   your Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing what he has been up to, telling us his poetic plans for the future, and inviting you to get involved in poetry in Hampshire. Read on to find out what's happening in Damian's world! Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly Damian's final blog of 2025 is about Hip Hop and Poetry Damian says: This month’s blog will deal with hip hop. So, I’m handing it over to a bri

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing what he has been up to, telling us his poetic plans for the future, and inviting you to get involved in poetry in Hampshire. Read on to find out what's happening in Damian's world! © Damian Kelly-Basher Damian's role as Hampshire Poet means that he acts as an advocate for poets and poetry throughout the county - working alongside, and lifting u

"... a magical experience..." "Thought provoking, powerful whilst still entertaining and hugely relevant..." “A wonderful festival so lively and full of variety as well as excellence” “Off the scale” Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 (by Michelle Quinton) Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 took place in Winchester and online from 2nd - 12th October on the theme of "Revisiting The Classics". The programme this year included 26 poetry events, featuring 80 international, national and

Olivia Tuck announced as winner of Winchester Poetry Prize 2025 with her poem ‘ Child With A Lighthouse’ The winner of Winchester Poetry Prize 2025 was announced in front of a packed room at The ARC, and livestreamed globally, on Sun 12th October as part of Winchester Poetry Festival 2025. The competition attracted 2284 entries this year, with 41 entries paid for by other poets/donors using a Pay it Forward Scheme allowing those on low-incomes to participate. Although the top