Congratulations to Aggie Martin, Year 8 and to Rosie Wells, Year 11, both of whom were selected by judges Imtiaz Dharker and Glyn Maxwell as two of the commended Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. There were 7,215 entries from all over the English speaking world and 3 of the 15 winners were from the States. At an award ceremony in the Festival Hall on 6 October, Aggie and Rosie were presented with certificates of commendation, and listened to some of the other entries. The standards were amazingly high. 

Aggie said, "Being commended and attending the award ceremony was incredibly inspiring.  We heard winners read their poems; it was really interesting to hear them speak their own words.  I especially enjoyed listening to Glyn Maxwell, the poet and one of the Judges for this year's Awards, he speaks so well.  I also listened to him and Imtiaz Dharker, the other Judge, at the live National Poetry Day event in the afternoon.  My Mum bought their books and had them signed for me - they remembered my name!  Next year maybe I'll be reading one of my poems."

11 October 2011