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Welcome to Winchester Poetry Festival
Winchester Poetry Festival 2025 took place - 2-12 October 2025

Friends launch photo

Poetry Festival - Gilbert Yates Photogra

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Friends launch photo
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Hampshire Poet blog - November 2025
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

Damian Kelly-Basher
Nov 3


Reflections on Winchester Poetry Festival 2025
"... 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


Winchester Poetry Prize 2025 winners announced
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


Hampshire Poet blog - October 2025
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

Damian Kelly-Basher
Oct 1


Hampshire Poet blog - September 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Sep 1


Hampshire Poet blog - August 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Aug 4


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


Hampshire Poet blog - July 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Jul 1


Winchester Poetry Festival wins the Creative and Cultural Award at Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2025
Jane Bryant (Chair of Trustees), Jo Fisher (Trustee) at Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2025 We were stunned and delighted to be...


Hampshire Poet blog - June 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Jun 4


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


Hampshire Poet blog - May 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
May 1


Winchester Poetry Prize 2025 is open - celebrating 10 years
Winchester Poetry Festival opens its globally recognised Winchester Poetry Prize for the tenth year. Since 2016 poets from far and wide...


Hampshire Poet blog - April 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Mar 31


Hampshire Poet blog - March 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Mar 4


Hampshire Poet blog - February 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Feb 5


Michael Longley
(pictured - Michael Longley at WPF2014 by Joe Low) It was with great sadness we learned of the death of Michael Longley on 22nd January...
Stephen Boyce
Jan 27


Winchester Poetry Festival is seeking a Vice-Chair of Trustees
Winchester Poetry Festival wishes to appoint a Vice-Chair to work with the current Chair and trustees to support excellent governance and...


Hampshire Poet blog - January 2025
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Jan 8


Hampshire Poet blog - December 2024
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing...

Damian Kelly-Basher
Dec 3, 2024
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