Next up is @stephenclaughton.bsky.social, who is the Stanza Rep for the Ver Poets (St. Albans) Stanza. To learn more about our Stanza groups - and how to find one near you - head over to our website.

Stephen's pick is 'Come Here to this Gate' (Carcanet) by Rory Waterman. Thank you, Stephen!

Thank you to everyone who attended and to Terry Jones and Gill Knibbs for organising the competition and anthology.

Huge thanks to Rory Waterman for judging the competition and for his comments on the poems. We were especially pleased to hear Rory read his own poems, including some from his latest book, "Come Here To This Gate" (Carcanet Press).

Congratulations, too, to the highly commended & commended poets and those selected for the anthology. Part of the proceeds from the competition have gone to St Albans Community Pantry and we were grateful to their founder, Raihaanah, for attending the event and explaining the excellent work they do.