Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry 2024
Following the success the inaugural competition in 2023, the Crysse Morrison Prize for Poetry is now an annual event. 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.
2024 – WINNERS AND COMMENDED
Judge – Emma Purshouse
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
Thank you for the fantastic response to this year’s competition!
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
Emma PurShouse – JUDGE
Born in Wolverhampton, Emma Purshouse is a freelance writer, novelist and performance poet.
She is a poetry slam champion and performs regularly at spoken word nights far and wide. Her appearances include, The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, Shambala, Womad, Latitude and Solfest. She has supported the likes of John Hegley, Hollie McNish and Carol Ann Duffy.
Emma has undertaken poetry residencies for Wolverhampton Libraries, The New Vic Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and The International Festival of Glass in Stourbridge. She was the first Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton (2020 – 2022).
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