TEENAGERS from across the town proved they have what it takes as they wowed audiences with their talent for all things poetry.

The seventh Swindon Festival of Literature Youth Poetry Slam exceeded organisers’ expectations this year as boys and girls from schools in the town took to the stage to deliver their masterpieces.

And Commonweal School took home the winning cup this year, thanks to students Megan Davies, April Psarras and Harley Bunce, who dubbed themselves PWA (Poets With Attitude).

The girls impressed the judges and audience alike with their first poem which saw them re-write the Sleeping Beauty fairytale and win their place in the final.

They then had the audience in fits of laughter as they performed their poem entitled Complaints of a Teenager.

Megan’s mum, Patricia Davis, said: “They did so well, it was quite a high standard this year and the girls did brilliantly.

“I knew they were going to do well, I’m very proud.”

South Swindon MP Rob Buckland was in the audience for the event at Swindon Arts Centre on Saturday.

He said: “Swindon has definitely got talent.

“The fact that it is their own work really makes it a special occasion, it is their own thoughts and their own experiences.

“It gives you an insight into what their concerns are from their point of view. Some of the themes were very good, from the computer to parents.

“To get this generation involved in the festival is brilliant – it is not just for adults, it is for young people too.”

Throughout the morning, poems with an array of themes were performed, including bullying, Facebook, Vampire rabbits, the elderly and time travelling.

Festival director Matt Holland said: “The talent has been remarkable. And what I find even more remarkable is that actually some of the best work didn’t go through, there were some brilliant word uses such impenetrable, but there were some very difficult rounds and it is just like life, it is the luck of the draw.

“What has really interested me is the concerns of these young people – the themes they choose are completely up to them, and it shows us that being a young person is a very serious matter and they are not just happy-go-lucky fashion followers, but they are deep thinking young men and women.

“I really do think that being able to express their concerns on stage can really help them – being able to turn their feelings and thoughts into language is just great.”

WITTY wordsmiths battled it out at the 15th Swindon Slam poetry competition this weekend.

Twelve contestants, four of whom were locals, took turns to perform their own brand of poetry in front of a good Arts Centre crowd as the Swindon Festival of Literature 2011 powered on.

Themes ranged from piracy, sheds and critics to the life of an apostrophe and the Troubles in Northern Ireland and overall the standard of entries was high.

Bristol’s James Bunting took the top prize after wowing the judges and the audience alike with his rapid delivery and abstract personal poems.

Speaking afterwards, the 22-year-old student, said: “It feels great – this is only my second slam and the first time I’ve won.

“I thought it was really varied which is what you want to see.

“It was close in the end and it has been a wicked night.

“I used to write songs and then I used to go to open mic nights in Bristol. I just tend to take an idea and build around it. I would encourage anyone to have a go.”

Festival organiser Matt Holland said he was pleased with the range and standard of entries.

He said: “It fluctuates annually and last year dipped a little but this year it has risen again. I really think the winner was the full package – he had the vision, language and the delivery.

“The great thing about the slam is the combination between poetry and competition and it really can be luck of the draw. But the cream rises to the top no question about it.

“I’m pleased that we had entries from far and wide this year because it shows Swindon’s reputation is growing.”