A JERSEY poet has scooped top honours at an international poetry competition, standing out in a field of nearly 2,000 entries from around the world.
Sandra Noel claimed both first and third place in the Channel Islands category of the Guernsey International Poetry Competition, winning with She Pulls Herself Up by the Roots and also placing with Becoming Sunflower.
The competition – organised by the Guernsey Literary Festival and judged by acclaimed poet John Agard – attracted submissions from countries including the UK, USA, India, Egypt and across Europe.
Ms Noel, who has been entering the competition for several years, said she was “so delighted” to secure the win.
“I love supporting inter-island events and achieving a winning poem has been a dream of mine since I started entering the competition in 2018 when my poem was placed 3rd.
“I love being in Guernsey for the poetry section of the festival every year and always come away feeling inspired by the poets I’ve met, walking the beautiful cliff paths and dipping in the sea along the way. I am very much looking forward to this year’s events and being able to meet the other winners in each category.”
Her success formed part of a strong showing for Channel Islands writers, with Guernsey’s Ric Carter taking second place in the regional category.
Overall, the international first prize went to UK poet Nigeen Dara.
Selected and winning poems will now be showcased across Guernsey in everyday spaces – including at the airport, on buses and at the ferry terminal – as part of the “Poems on the Move” initiative.
Winning poets will also be invited to read their work at a special event during this year’s Guernsey Literary Festival in May.
