Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry
Following the success the inaugural competition in 2023, the Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry has become an annual highlight of our programme. Best known for her wealth of writing and her love of Frome Festival, Crysse was an inspirational writer who always championed poetry throughout the Festival.
Each year, poets from across the UK are invited to submit their work via the Frome Festival website with cash prizes awarded to the top three winners, alongside a special prize for the best local entry. In 2026, the competition was judged by stand-up poet, spoken word artist and broadcaster Kate Fox.
The overall winner also receives a unique, handmade silver lapel pin in the shape of a writing quill, crafted and gifted by local jeweller Christina Oswin.
Sponsored by
Crysse Morrison
2026 – Winners
Judge – Kate Fox
L-R: 3rd place Gordon Vells, Judge Kate Fox, 1st Place Alexandra Corrin Tachibana, Organiser Rosie Eliot, and Local Winner Darren Shaw. Photo credit: Loveday Powell FWP
First Prize
Zuihitsu on Meeting up with my First Husband (in Japan after 20 years) – Alexandra Corrin Tachibana
Second Prize
It Can All Change – Pete Concahsmith
Third Prize
Treacle – Gordon Vells
Local Prize
The Seven-Ten Split – Darren Shaw
Shortlisted Poems 2026
KATE FOX – JUDGE
Kate Fox is a regular contributor to Radio 4’s spoken word cabaret “The Verb”, has made two comedy series for Radio 4, been Poet in Residence for the Glastonbury Festival and the Great North Run and completed a PhD in stand-up comedy. She is the author of “Where There’s Muck There’s Bras: True Stories of the North of England’s Women” published by Harper North, and poetry collections including “On Sycamore Gap” (Harper North, 2024), “Bigger On the Inside” (Smokestack Books, 2024) and “The Oscillations” (Nine Arches Press, 2021). She was also a judge for the 2023 Forward Poetry Prizes and is a neurodivergent advocate whose latest show “Bigger on the Inside” explores neurodiversity through the lens of Doctor Who.
2025 – WINNERS
Judge – Luke Wright
First Prize
Barium Swallow – Glen Wilson
Second Prize
Marmalade – Nat Taplin
Third Prize
Catherine in Heels – Patricia Minson
Local Prize
In Care – Tracey Rupp-Rawlins
L-R: Festival Trustee Rosie Eliot, Local Prize winner Tracey Rupp-Rawlins, Festival Founder and President Martin Bax. Photo: Tori Allison / FWP
2024 – WINNERS AND COMMENDED
Judge – Emma Purshouse
L-R: Judge Emma Purshouse, First Prize winner Ian Royce Chamberlain, Festival Chair Rosie Eliot, Local Prize winner David Thompson, Phil Jackson (Highly Commended) at the Prize-giving event at Bistro Lotte. Photo credit: Tori Allison
First Prize
Good Friday – Ian Royce Chamberlain
Second Prize
Of Settlement. Of Roots – Jane Burn
Third Prize
The Art of Astronomy – Sarah Doyle
Local Prize
The Long Man – David Thompson
Highly Commended
Christine Griffin
Claire Morris
Graeme Ryan
Mark Connors
Carol Caffrey
Dr Jennifer A McGowan
Phil Jackson
2023 – WINNERS AND COMMENDED
Judge – Rosie Jackson
First Prize
Egg – Kathryn Bevis
Second Prize
Song of Ham’s Wife – Jeff Phelps
Third Prize
Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, 1 September 2001 – Tessa Strickland
Local Prize
The Pale Blue Box – Alice Caudle
Highly Commended
My Mother Discharges Me from Worry – Owen Gallagher
Bookends – Sara-Jane Arbury
Commended
Lahore, 2022 – Abby Crawford
Lichfield Angel – Tessa Strickland
St Tudwal in the Field – Christopher James
Holy days – Dillon Jaxx