Peterloo Poems Competition

Calling All Poets, Published Poets, Unpublished Poets,
would be poets and those who are just thinking they might be a poet...
2019 marks the 200th Anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre.

On the 16th August 1819 over 60,000 peaceful pro democracy and anti-poverty protesters assembled in St. Peter’s Fields, Manchester to demand parliamentary reform. Watching magistrates, panicked at the sight of the huge gathering, ordered the vast crowd to disperse and when they did not do so, sent in the armed hussars on horseback.
Around 18 people, including four women and a child died from sabre wounds and the trampling hooves of cavalry. 700 were seriously injured.
And yet the banners they carried sought
REFORM, UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, EQUAL REPRESENTATION and LOVE.

Seven Arches Publishing want to mark the year with a collection of poems written by the people of the North West under the title of: ‘Peterloo Poems by Manchester People’.
Everyone is invited to submit a poem in any style or genre. Some may choose to retell the story of Peterloo, or to explore the emotions and feelings of those involved. Others may ask the question ‘What does freedom mean to me in 2019?’

The editor of the collection is Paul Morris, author of our published poem, ‘Beyond the Morning Sun’. He will select from those submitted and will create the collection to come out in the autumn of 2019. You will not get payment for your poem but everyone whose work is chosen will receive a free copy to remind them of this year. So do not forget your postal address with you submission together with your name and, if you wish, your age. Your poem will remain your copyright. We would love to hold a copy of this book in our hands but cannot do so without your help.

To Enter:

- Please send your entry as an email attachment to admin@sevenarchespublishing.co.uk
or by post to the address below

Seven Arches Publishing
Flat 8 Rena Court,
Sparth Lane,
Stockport
SK4 2PL

If You Are A Student

- Make sure your name, age and a mobile number OR the name of your school or writing group is at the bottom of all the pages of your piece of writing. Send this as an attachment to admin@sevenarchespublishing.co.uk

If You Are A Teacher or Writing Group Leader

- Make sure the name and age of the student whose work you are entering is at the bottom of all of the pages of their pieces of writing. Also add your name, the name of your school and the school contact details. Send the entries as an attachment to admin@sevenarchespublishing.co.uk

IF you wish to send multiple entries as hard copy, dowload this form and send it with the pieces of writing to: