Wenlock Poetry Festival’s Last Stand
The final event for the 2011 Wenlock Poetry Festival was the amazing Schools Slam. It took place at The Edge Arts Centre based at William Brookes School, Much Wenlock on Wednesday 4th May. The Slam was jointly organised by the Wenlock poetry festival and Giovanni Esposito, or Spoz, who is well known in “Slam” circles. He has organised and hosted Slam competitions at Wenlock for two years for adults. Spoz, a former Birmingham Poet Laureate, had worked with 6 Secondary Schools based in Telford and Shropshire during the last year to write Poetry and hold in- house Slam competions.
On the night in question four teams competed in the grand slam to perform, in as dramatic way as possible, their own composition. The build up by Spoz was breath taking and then all the teams took it in turn. The judges were Matt Windle one of Birmingham’s young poet laureates, Liz Roberts chair of the Wenlock Poetry Festival and Ann Gibson committee member. Spoz and Matt both entertained us royally and then it was time for the results.
In joint third place was “Chicken Comma” (from William Brookes)
In second place was “Thunder write Queens” (from Ludlow)
In first place was “The Metaphoricals” (from William Brookes)
The event was supported by staff from William Brookes, parents and family from the competing schools and Wenlock Poetry Festival Members. We look forward to next year when hopefully we won’t have to compete with the Royal Wedding and all Schools will be able to attend the final.