TEIGNMOUTH Poetry Festival this year promises many treats, and will also give an economic off-season boost to the town with visitors coming to stay.

Top of the bill, on Saturday, March 18, is Jo Shapcott, and in recognition of her status as one of the UK’s best-known and best-loved poets, her hour-long reading will take place in the main auditorium of The Pavilions.

Earlier the same day, a total of £1,025 in prize money will be awarded when local and national poets gather in Teignmouth for the results of this year’s highly successful poetry competition.

The organisers are delighted to report several Devon names among judge Mario Petrucci’s shortlist for the prestigious open competition. A reading by this poetic maestro will follow the presentation.

Even closer to home, prizes for the local competition will go to poets living in TQ14, TQ12 and EX7 postcodes. Dartmoor poet and novelist Rebecca Gethin, who is judge for this section, reports an excellent standard of entries, proof again of this area’s ability to nurture literary talent.

Taking place over four days, the festival will cater for all tastes.

Full story in the Friday, March 3 edition of the Teignmouth Post