We are delighted to publish the top 40 submissions to the 2023 Urban Tree Festival writing competition. The challenge was to write about “Secrets of the Trees” in fewer than 250 words either in poetry or prose.
Click on “Older posts” at the bottom right of the page, to see all of the Top 40
Get your own copy of Canopy 2023, a beautifully illustrated limited edition 24 page chapbook, that includes the competition’s shortlisted poems and stories - available from the 8 May.
Jacaranda: Blue on Blue - John Bowen
Jacaranda Blue by John Bowen long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Sucking - Cheryl Markosky
Sucking by Cheryl Markosky long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Yew Needle - Victoria Gatehouse
Yew Needle by Victoria Gatehouse long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
The Groundskeeper of Hookhide Cemetery - Sophie Greenwood
The Groundskeeper of Hookhide Cemetery by Sophie Greenwood long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Eucalyptus - Tamra Palmer
Eucalyptus by Tamra Palmer long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Childhood Chant Amidst The Trees - Sandra Hopkins
Childhood Chant Amidst The Trees by Sandra Hopkins long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
4Ever - Penny Walker
4Ever by Penny Walker long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Once I was a tree - Julian Bishop
Once I was a tree by Julian Bishop long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
This Leaf - Penny Dedman
This Leaf by Penny Dedman long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
The voice of the tree - Dan Harwood
The Voice of the Tree by Dan Harwood long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
95 - James Dyer
95 by James Dyer long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Fallen Comrade - Adam Elms
Fallen Comrade by Adam Elms long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Open Secrets - Peter Isaacson
Open Secrets by Peter Isaacson long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
The Orchards Estate - Sarah Royston
The Orchards Estate by Sarah Royston long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
The Berry Thief - Owen Townend
The Berry Thief by Owen Townend long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
Death of a Veteran - south London 1973 - Arthur Sparrow
Death of a veteran by Arthur Sparrow long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.
The longest heartbeat - Sarah Leavesley
The Longest heartbeat by Sarah Leavesley long listed for the 2023 Urban Tree festival competition.