Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), who operate Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services, will be running an easter school poetry competition for children aged 5-13.

The competition, which is being launched by the Children’s Laureate poet and author Joseph Coelho, will open from 25 March and we hope it will be a great way to challenge kids creativity over the Easter holidays.

To enter the competition, pupils will need to a short poem (50 to 150 words) about a place they love to visit by train on our network or about what is great about their local area and why others should visit it by train. You can find our rail route map here.

10 lucky winners will be selected by GTR and Joseph Coelho, and winning entries will be displayed at stations and on trains on our network over the Summer.

Winners will also receive complementary return rail travel on our services for themselves and up to four family members to visit their favourite destination on our network.

Parents or guardians can submit their child’s poem on their local train company’s website at:
www.southernrailway.com/poetryinmotion

Submissions are open from Monday 25 March 2024 until 23:59, Friday 10 May 2024. Full details and the Terms and Conditions are also available on the websites.