Useful Organisations No.1

The Poetry Society

22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BU

Tel: 0171 240 4810; Fax: 0171 240 4818;

E-mail: poetrysoc@dial.pipex.com; Website: www.poetrysoc.com

An organisation whose sole concern is the nurture and promotion of poets and poetry. Their Education Department is now offering membership of the Poetry Society to schools.

For £25 Primary schools receive a Poetry Places pack which has everything they need to know about working with poets and poetry across the curriculum, display materials, useful contacts, a poetry consultancy service, training opportunities and a special annual publication linked to National Poetry Day.

For £45 Secondary schools will receive all the benefits of institution membership including Poetry Review and Poetry News as well as a Poetry Pack containing all they need to know about live poets and keeping poetry alive through key stage 3 and beyond.

Poetry enthusiasts up to the age of 18 can become members of the Poetry Society for £10 a year. Every member receives Poetry News featuring a section of news and reviews written by and for young people.

The Poetry Society is running the Young National Poetry Competition which is free to everyone between 11 and 18 years old. It offers the twelve winners a chance to go on a week’s poetry writing course at the Arvon Centre. Send your poem to The Poetry Society labelled ‘Young National Competition’ by 31 July with your name, address and date of birth written on the reverse of every sheet of paper.