Up to 600 budding bards from all over the world entered this year's Barnet Borough Arts Council (BBAC) poetry competition.

But the bulk of winners, announced at a ceremony earlier this month, came from the borough.

Overall first prize was won by David Gilbert of Barnet with Louise Hooper from Hampstead runner-up.

Valerie Clarke from Muswell Hill was commended.

Prizewinner in the special Changing Places section was Jacqueline Karp, who lives in France but visited the borough for the prize-giving at The Bull theatre in Barnet High Street.

Commended were Harkiran Dhindas, from New Barnet, and Rosemary Fisher and Mike Morrison, both from Barnet. Valerie Clarke was also commended.

First prize in the 12-16 age group was won by Stefanie Metzger from St James' Catholic High School in Great Strand, Colindale. Joanne De Fonseka from Woodside Park came second. Joint third prizewinners were Paul Tomlinson of New Barnet, Natan Rifkin of Edgware and Sammy Bishtawi from Barnet.

All winning and commended poems will be published next spring in an anthology by BBAC.

November 21, 2001 11:53