AN award-winning poet is hoping to inspire the region’s writers after winning a residency at the Causley Trust’s International Poetry Competition.

Jen Feroze, the winner of the annual International Poetry Competition, will be in residence at the longtime home of Charles Causley in June.

It comes hot on the heels of this year’s sell-out Launceston Poetry Festival, which brought together Cornwall’s creative community.

The trust said that this year’s competition saw a huge increase in entries, with five shortlisting judges whittling down the wonderful entries to a manageable short list.

The head judge was renowned Exeter-based, award winning poet Fiona Benson. Fiona, alongside her shortlisting judges, all attended the awards ceremony held as part of this year’s Launceston Poetry Festival. The event was hosted by poets Ella Frears and Lord Rowan Williams and in attendance was the deputy Lord Lieutenant Mark Thomas. Winners of the Young Person’s Competition also read at the event and collected their prizes.

A spokesperson from the trust said: “The residency, the competitions, the festival and the new Causley Corners project confirms Launceston’s place as one of the South West’s cultural hotspots and proudly celebrates the life, work and legacy of the renowned poet, Charles Causley.”

Jen’s community residency will focus on activities in a number of local venues including Launceston’s Library, the Black Cat Book Shop, and the Causley town centre hub, offering drop-in activities and a chance to meet Jen in person.

Jen will also be spending time in St Stephen’s School running creative workshops as part of the new Causley Corner project.

Nicola Nuttall, Charles Causley Trust director, said: “This residency continues to extend our fantastic community programming. We are so proud to continue to bring some of the most exciting contemporary, emerging and award-winning poets to the town, building upon Charles Causley’s vision helping people to find their voice through creativity.”