27 April 2004

Top poetry prize for Writer in Residence

University of Dundee Writer in Residence Colette Bryce has just scooped the first prize in the National Poetry Competition 2003 - a prestigious UK competition whose previous winners have gone on to be recognised as the best in the poetry world.

Colette received her prize of £5,000 at a ceremony in Lovells, a major international business law firm in London on Friday.

Colette said: "I never imagined I'd win. I sent off a few poems in a moment of optimism in October so the telephone call in January came as a bit of a shock.

Bryce's poem, The Full Indian Rope Trick, was selected from over nine thousand entries by the judges Paul Farley, Grace Nichols and Medbh McGuickian. "That my poem was chosen by three poets whose work I admire has added to the good news," said Bryce.

The winning poem touches on the theme of changed identity; of someone turning eighteen and trying to escape their own life.

Colette was born in Northern Ireland, received an Eric Gregory award in 1995, and her first book, The Heel of Bernadette, received the Aldeburgh Prize for best first collection and the Eithne Strong Award in Ireland. She is fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Dundee. A new collection is forthcoming from Picador.

Since it was established in 1978 by the Poetry Society, the National Poetry Competition has become the biggest and most prestigious poetry competition of its kind. All entries are judged anonymously and past winners include both published and previously unknown poets.

Notes for Editors

Lovells are part of Poet in the City, a project run by the Poetry Society and several leading City institutions with the aim of promoting poetry among City workers.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk