The 10 winners', runners'-up and commended poems from the Poems in the Park competition are now displayed in Pembroke Lodge Gardens in the Park. The display is adjacent to the wooden-framed poem in dedication to James Thomson.
When she co-judged the poems, writer and FRP Patron Dame Jacqueline Wilson described the poems in the competition thus: “I'm a veteran of judging poetry competitions, but these entries were truly outstanding. It's maybe a combination of the talent of our local children and the inspiring beauty of Richmond Park.” The poems on display are in the competition's three age categories; 12 and under 13-18 and adults.
When the Friends organised the poetry competition, the intention was to encourage creative writing inspired by Richmond Park so it's gratifying to see such excellent poetry about the Park displayed in the Park.