🌟 Big Star, Little Star Poetry Competition 2026 🌟

This year’s theme: GOLD ✨

Proudly sponsored by David Mellor Family Jewellers, celebrating 50 golden years in Andover.

What does GOLD mean to you?

Is it something that sparkles and shines? A golden sunset, a treasured memory, a special person, a moment of kindness or something that makes your heart glow?

To celebrate David Mellor Family Jewellers’ 50th anniversary – their Golden Anniversary – we’re asking Andover’s Big Stars and Little Stars to put pen to paper and explore the wonderful world of GOLD.

Your poem could be funny, magical, thoughtful, imaginative or completely unexpected. There are no rules about what gold means — we want to see where your imagination takes you!

✨ Write an original poem inspired by GOLD.
✨ Your poem can be any style you like.
✨ Poems must be no longer than 30 lines.
✨ Open to our Big Stars and Little Stars (Aged 4-18. Must be an Andover resident or attend an Andover school.)

📝 How to enter

Send your poem to events@andoverbid.org.uk by Wednesday 4th November 2026.

🏆 And what could you win?

The winning Big Star and Little Star will have the incredible opportunity to record their poem at Andover Radio’s studio, with their voices heard across the airwaves over the Christmas period.

Their poems will also feature in a special video shown on the big screen at Andover Christmas Festival on Friday 20th November 2026.

And then comes the really special part…

🌟 The winning Big Star and Little Star will be invited on stage at the Christmas Festival to join The Mayor and a very special guest and press the button to officially switch on Andover’s Christmas lights! 🎄✨

And, because this is a very special golden year, they’ll also receive a very special prize from David Mellor Family Jewellers’ Little Star range.

So, sharpen your pencils, fire up your imagination and let your words shine like gold.

Good luck, Big Stars and Little Stars! 🌟