27 January 2014
Last Friday saw the grand finale of Shoreham Port’s Community Poetry Competition. Winning contestants gathered with their friends and family for the poetry launch at Southwick Station. After a welcome from Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive of Shoreham Port, George Mower’s winning poem was unveiled.
The poem has been proudly placed underneath the Southwick sign on platform one of the station. It joins a multitude of other artwork including pieces from the finalists of Shoreham Port’s Community Art Competition from last year.
George Mower was thrilled when he heard the news that he had won the competition and commented “I was stunned! I really enjoy writing and I have a life-long fondness of the Port, so writing a poem about it came quite naturally. I’m just amazed my poem was chosen amongst so many other wonderful entries.”
Jake Howard, age 11, who won second place in the competition, commented “I was really happy and surprised to hear that I had come second, especially as I was one of the youngest and least experienced writers in the competition. Before Christmas I came on a school trip to the Port and this really inspired me to write the poem. I also spend a lot of time fishing at Shoreham Port with my Grandad. Being placed in the competition has really encouraged me to continue writing poetry.”
Alex Lowden, Accounts Assistant at Shoreham Port and winner of third place added “After anonymously submitting my poem I was delighted to find out I had won third place. I had the privilege of reading all of the poems after the competition had closed and was I so impressed with the standard. It is clear from reading the poems how much Shoreham Port means to local people.”
Andy Harrowell, Corporate Social Responsibility & Partnership Manager at Southern Railways commented "We are always pleased to work in partnership with members of the local community to enhance the experience at our stations. It's been fantastic to work with Shoreham Port again, to brighten up Southwick Station. George's poem is a great addition to the platform, and we hope all our customers enjoy it too."
Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port added “Thank you to everyone who entered the Poetry Competition. The standard of poems received was fantastic and the imagination of the writers really captured the essence of the Port. We enjoy working with our local community on projects which are inclusive and beneficial to the local area. Thank you also to Southern Railways for their continued support in ensuring the success of each community project.”
Images courtesy of Alan Humphries
