Romance Writing Festival. THIS Saturday, 3rd October, Marsham Court Hotel. Details here.
Schools and Home-Ed Writing Competition for Kids
We've teamed up with Bournemouth One Radio dream-themed short story and poetry competition to inspire children to write - and the winning entries could be read out on air!
The writing competition is open to Schools and Home-Educated Children in Dorset, with FREE educator resources to help you along.
Get your entries in before Sunday 28th February 2027!
Prizes
To encourage the children to write, we've got some incredible prizes for the winners:
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The two winners will be invited to a studio to record their entries.
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A celebration event on Saturday 24th April at Bournemouth Library during the Bournemouth Writing Festival.
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Certificates for all winners.
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Bournemouth One goodies.
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Stories/poems displayed at Bournemouth Library.
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Poems displayed at the Poetry Promenade during the festival.
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Free Educator / Teacher Resources
Download your FREE resource kit, including Powerpoint slides, an Information Sheet with everything you need to know and a special video from a Bournemouth One presenter to introduce the competition to the children.
Three age categories for Primary and Secondary School children:
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Key Stage 1: 5 to 6 year olds
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Key Stage 2: 7 to 10 year olds
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Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 year olds
Once again, the lovely writers' group at Hengistbury Head will be reading and judging the entries.
Please submit your short stories or poems by 28th February to info@bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk
Bournemouth One Radio
Bournemouth One is the local radio station for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with local news, traffic, information and entertainment, along with the best songs on the radio, 24 hours a day.
You can listen online via smart speakers "Alexa, play Bournemouth One", or find us on DAB+, CarPlay, Android Auto, TuneIn and Radioplayer.
Hengistbury Head Writers' Group
The Hengistbury Head Writers' Group have been meeting at the Visitor Centre on the first Tuesday of every month from 2pm to 4pm for over ten years.
Welcoming all writers - from complete beginners to published authors, fiction to poetry - the free group encourages and supports each other with their writing journey.
You can meet the Hengistbury Head Writers (led by Jane Skellett) at the Russell Cotes Museum on Saturday 25th April from 10am to 12pm as part of the Writing Festival, where they will be holding a free drop-in session for those looking to get started with their writing.
To find out more, contact the group at hengistbury.head@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Inspiring kids to write
Children's Writing Activities
We have several creative writing sessions for children during the Writing Festival in April, including children's author-led workshops and free drop-in sessions at Bournemouth Library and a free Poetry Promenade for all ages in the Lower Gardens.