Erica Hesketh - Winchester Poetry Festival Artistic Director (photo by Christy Ku) We are delighted to announce the appointment of Erica Hesketh as new Artistic Director. In this role, Erica will shape and develop the programme for the flagship festival events due to take place in 2027, maintaining Winchester’s place on the UK’s poetry map.  Erica takes over from acclaimed writer Clare Pollard who was in position at Winchester Poetry Festival from 2022 and created the visuali

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! Ellora Sutton For March, Damian Kelly-Basher's Hampshire Poet blog is on Queer Poetry. For this blog he has handed the reins to Hampshire-based poet Ellora Sutton . On

Winchester Poetry Festival opens its globally recognised Winchester Poetry Prize for 2026. Winchester Poetry Festival invites writers from around the globe to submit their finest, unpublished poems to be in with a chance of winning £1000 in the annual Winchester Poetry Prize. Established in 2016, this literary competition has grown in stature, with poets at all stages of their careers hoping that this year their poems might light a spark with the competition judge. Winchester

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! Damian Kelly-Basher at WSA for Winchester Heritage Open Days 2025 For February, Damian's Hampshire Poet blog discusses The Ghazal (pronounced ‘huzzl’ - with a throaty ‘

photo by Clayton Burke We're seeking a new Artistic Director to take Winchester Poetry Festival into our next Festival year. This exciting and creative opportunity will allow the successful candidate to help shape and develop Winchester Poetry Festival, ensuring it remains one of the south coast’s standout cultural charities and events, securing Winchester’s place firmly on the UK’s – and the world’s – poetry map. We’re starting to plan our activities for the next two years,

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! Damian Kelly-Basher at Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 (photo by Georgia Penny Photography) It's a brand new year, and Damian's first Hampshire Poet blog of 2026 is abou

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

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 is passionate about wellbeing, sustainability and promoting peace. He is Poet in Residence at Global Futures Platform for Planet People

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

The programme for Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 is live and tickets are on sale now. Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 - original artwork...

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Jane Bryant (Chair of Trustees), Jo Fisher (Trustee) at Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2025 We were stunned and delighted to be...

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2025 We are delighted to announce that Winchester Poetry Festival is a finalist in the 'Creative...

During his two year tenure,   your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher   - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Winchester Poetry Festival opens its globally recognised Winchester Poetry Prize for the tenth year. Since 2016 poets from far and wide...