Winners announced for Shout Out for the Covered Market poetry competition

Last month, the City Council called for budding writers, poets and songwriters to write a piece that tells the story of the Covered Market.

The City Council asked people to produce an audio recording of themselves performing the piece and enter it into the competition via social media.

In total, 34 people entered the competition, with people sharing personal memories, vivid poetry and songs about the 18th century market.

The competition, which closed on 3 November, was judged by a panel including renowned author Barney Norris.

The winners are:

• Under 10s:
  • Winner: Naomi Poole
  • Runner-up:  Isabelle Widdup
• 18-24:
  • Winner:  Jack Cooper
• 25+:
  • Winner:  Carl Tomlinson
  • Runner-up:  Aleksandra Majak

For each category, the winner will receive a prize of £150, and the runner-up £50, in the form of vouchers to spend in participating Covered Market shops.

The winners’ work will also be installed in a new listening post in the Covered Market.

The winners will perform their work, alongside Barney Norris, at a recital in the Covered Market from 1.30pm on Saturday (16/11).

“We were delighted with the response to the competition. It was great to hear so many different stories and voices in the submissions – all so full of passion for the Covered Market. Barney and the panel had a really tough job choosing the winners.”

Paula Redway, Oxford City Council’s Cultural and Community Development Manager