An Afternoon with Michael Laskey
Michael Laskey was the recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2025
Michael Laskey will present a reading of his own poetry, and also explore other poems through close readings to examine their inner workings and craft.
Sunday, 6 September 2026, The Guildhall, Hadleigh, IP7 5DN
George Crabbe Poetry Competition 2026
Congratulations to this year’s winners of the George Crabbe Poetry Competition!
- First Prize: Sally Warrell – The Rain in Dublin
- Second Prize: Sarah Sibley – The Last I Love You
- Third Prize: Tim Waller – Reflection
Highly Commended:
- Angela Locke – Asunaro-Japanese Temple Tree
- David Healey – Left Behind
Commended:
- Melinda Appleby – The Knife Grinder
- Fiona Clark – The Witch’s leg
- Stephanie Feeney – Pete’s Pond
- Sue Foster – Hookie Toe
- David Healey – Noise
- Pam Job – The Meringue Kiss
- Angela Locke – The Great Tide: Normandy Memorial after 1916
- Sue Mobbs – The Man in that Seat at the Bar
- Anne Ryland – Walking the Ypres Salient with my Brothers
- John Vaughan – The Visitor
- Sally Warrell – Rabbit in the Library
- Roger West – The Dog of Jean-Luc Godard is in the garden
- Richard Williams – Lansallos
- Richard Williams – Trip Trap
- Judith Wozniak – Fleuriste
Thank you very much to Paul Stephenson, our adjudicator for the 2026 Competition.
Michael Laskey received
The King’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2025
The King has approved the award of His Majesty’s Gold Medal for Poetry for the year 2025 to Michael Laskey.
SPS President George Szirtes received
The King’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2024
The King has approved the award of His Majesty’s Gold Medal for Poetry for the year 2024 to George Szirtes.
History of the Festival of Suffolk Poetry
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