College poets scoop prizes

BUDDING bards put their thoughts into verse for Oldham College’s poetry competition.

Students and staff competed in the annual event, with prizes such as an iPod Shuffle and an ebook reader on offer.

The judges were impressed with the number of quality entries, especially from students who don’t speak English as their first language.

Winners included John Harrison, who wrote “Vegetarian Toast” and “A Woman for a Week”’, and Emily McKay with “Why”.

Emily said: “Last year I was on a GCSE bridging course as I missed Year 10 and 11 of school due to illness.

“I was introduced to poems by Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes, Brian Patten, Carol Ann Duffy and many more, which inspired me to start writing poetry.

“I wrote ‘Why?’ as I believe there are so many beautiful things on Earth that aren’t really taken notice of any more.”

The competition was staged by library staff and organiser Laura Brunning said: “We use the competition to promote literacy in college.

“We encourage students to use the library’s poetry books and books on how to write poetry and ask tutors to work with their groups using these materials.”

The poems will be published in college as electronic books.