Throughout 2024, we've been celebrating the ways in which rivers inspire the written word. Our book reviews have showcased amazing authors, our literature festival explored creative writing, and our Tales from the Riverbank Poetry Competition asked 7-18 year olds to write a short poem inspired by chalk streams. We're now delighted to announce our 16 winners and share their fantastic poems!

The competition was free to enter and, as part of the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme, was open to those who live within the scheme area. Our brilliant winners are from Alresford, Andover, Overton, Whitchurch, and other nearby communities. Their poems touch on themes like sensation, memory, responsibility, and the joy of experiencing nature. The winners are:

• 'Chirp, Quack, Plonk, Splash and Squelch' by Amber McClelland Morris
• 'Sandwiches on the Bank' by Amelia O'Hara
• 'By the Stream, I Dream' by Angelina Ayres
• 'Chalk Stream' by Eden Baker
• 'The River's Five Senses' by Edward Nethercott
• 'Chalk Streams' by Emily Leighton
• 'Hubble Bubble' by Emmeline Fryer
• 'Spectacular Streams' by Freya Carmel Griffiths
• 'Whisper of the Willow' by Georgia Marriner
• 'The Critical Crayfish' by Isla Press
• 'Riverbanks' by Izzy Reeves
• 'The Chalk Stream' by Mabel Martin
• 'I Wonder...' by Penny Carter
• 'A Trout's Daydream' by Ralph Nethercott
• 'If You Take the Time...' by Rio Dominguez
• 'Sunrise Over the Itchen' by Safiya Husain

These poems have been transformed into a new chalk stream poetry anthology, 'Chalk Stream Poems by Young Writers', which can be viewed below. The anthology also includes beautiful illustrations by acclaimed artist Rachel Hudson, and a heartfelt foreword by award-winning author Amy-Jane Beer.

To further celebrate our winners, we held a special prizegiving ceremony in Winchester where they received their certificates, copies of the anthology, and National Book Tokens worth between £10 and £75. Joining them at the event were Andover-based author and storyteller Amanda Kane-Smith, and staff from several Hampshire libraries who have kindly acted as competition judges.

Kathryn Boler, Watercress and Winterbournes Partnership Manager, said of the competition: “We were so impressed by the imagination of the young people who entered our competition. Our winners created poems that are funny, poignant, and brimming with vibrant imagery – we are delighted to celebrate their achievements and share their fantastic work for everyone to enjoy.”

If you'd like to learn more about Hampshire's rare and precious chalk streams - incredible wildlife habitats that are found almost nowhere else on Earth - check out the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme. Younger nature explorers might particularly enjoy the Chalk Stream Challenge, our Poetry Activity Guide, and the education sessions we offer to schools and youth groups.