Bournemouth Writing Festival
Community Poem and Community Zine
I'm delighted to have been asked to run the Community Poem and Community Zine at the Poetry Hub at the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival.
Here you can find details of how to get involved in both projects at the festival, as well as details for emailing in your submission.
‘Day in the Life’ Community Poem Bunting
All ages, inclusive, accessible
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This year’s community poem gives writers of all ages a chance to reflect on a snapshot of their day on a piece of bunting. These individual bunting pieces will be combined over the course of the festival into a collaborative poem which will eventually be displayed at Bournemouth Library. Writers are free to work and respond to the theme in any way they choose. Collage and art materials will be available to play with and add to the mix. AJ Hardingson, a local poet who specializes in freeform, collage and blackout poetry, will be on hand to guide, support and empower you while you create your contribution.
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How to get involved: drop in to the poetry hub anytime 10am-5pm Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th April and follow the instructions in the Community Poem area to make your contribution at the Poetry Hub.
AJ Hardingson is on-site to assist at the following times
Saturday: 10am-11am, 11.15am-1.30pm, and 2pm-4.30pm
Sunday: 11am-12.30pm and 1pm-3pm
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Online Submission: The bunting triangles we are using are 14cm wide and 21cm long. You can download this A4 template to create your piece of the collaborative poem as a guide. Please scan and email your submissions to amyhardingson@gmail.com with the subject BWF Community Poem Submission. Your piece will be printed and stuck onto one of our bunting triangles at the festival. Alternatively you can send submissions by post to BWF Community Poem Submission, Winchester Poetry Festival, c/o Post Room, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR
Posted Submissions need to be received by Monday 20th April.
Emailed submissions need to be received by 5pm Thursday 23rd April.
‘Writing the Everyday’ Poetry Zine
For poets aged 18+
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Contribute a piece to a special poetry zine created as part of Bournemouth Writing Festival. Writers from across the BCP area and visiting at the Writing Festival are invited to create or contribute a poem that fits onto a single A5 zine page on the theme of ‘writing the everyday’. Writers are free to interpret this theme however they wish and use any form of poetry. You are also able to create accompanying artwork and/or illustrations onto your zine page (art and collage supplies will be available). You can either write something on the spot, or use a piece you’ve already written. Writers are also able to include their social media tags or website details on their page. The Zine will be compiled (and available to view as it is formed) across the weekend, and will be shared online on Friday 1st May. AJ Hardingson, a local poet who specializes in zine making, collage and blackout poetry, will be on hand to guide and support you while you create your contribution at the festival.
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How to get involved: drop in to the poetry hub anytime 10am-5pm Saturday or Sunday and follow the instructions to add your zine page.
Local poet and zine maker AJ Hardingson is on-site to assist at the following times
Saturday: 10am-11am, 11.15am-1.30pm, and 2pm-4.30pm
Sunday: 11am-12.30pm and 1pm-3pm.
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Online Submissions: The poetry zine is A5 in size. You are able to submit one A5 page only. You can download and use the following template. Alternatively put your page onto one side of a landscape oriented A4 sheet before scanning and sending in (this is so I can easily print your entry before cutting and adding to the zine - look at the template for guidance if needed). Please scan and email your submissions to amyhardingson@gmail.com with the subject BWF Community ZINE Submission.
Email in your submission by 5pm on Sunday 26th April.
Alternatively you can send submissions by post to BWF Community ZINE Submission, Winchester Poetry Festival, c/o Post Room, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR.
Posted submissions must be received by Monday 20th April
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