The Latitude Festival was inaugurated by a young poet laureate

A young poet prepares to launch the Latitude Music Festival after winning a competition.

Anna is 11 years old and lives near Lavenham in Suffolk.

Her poem, Mother Tree, was selected by the judges to be read on the waterfront stage on Thursday, July 25.

She said: „I like creating. We write poetry at school and it relaxes me.”

The competition was hosted by Latitude and BBC Radio Suffolk.

Seven to 11-year-olds who live or attend school in Suffolk were invited to write poems about the environment and the natural world.

Entries were judged by BBC presenters Angel Joseph and Sarah Lilley, poet Luke Wright and Latitude’s artistic curator Kirsty Taylor.

Mr Wright surprises Ana at her home and tells her that he has been chosen as the winner.

He said: „I was imagining walking in those woods and it was so evocative. I was with you.

„Your poem has some beautiful imagery, and it felt like a mature, grown-up piece of work. I was surprised that you were 11 years old.”

Anna’s poem is a journey into a forest, immersed in the moment.

It says: „I continue through silent, whispering trees. They converse.”

He then describes sharing his feelings with the tree and leaving the forest refreshed and satisfied.

„She talks to me, and I talk back, my concerns. Like mothers she listens with tender ears.”

Ms Lilly, who will be at Latitude to see Anna’s show, said: „As a mother of two, I loved the idea that the children saw us as intelligent and calm to talk to.

„Anna’s piece conveys a true love of nature and an understanding of its impact on all of us, and I can’t wait to see her on stage.”

The two runners-up were selected by the judges.

Beattie, nine, from Lockford, wrote A Helping Hand, an uplifting call to children to think about their own impact on the environment.

Evangeline, 10, from Bentley, wrote Suffolk Seasons, which travels through the changing landscape throughout the year.

Melvin Benn, Latitude Director, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the incredibly talented young voices from Suffolk who have entered our inaugural poetry competition.

“The winning poem impressed us with its vivid imagination and heartfelt connection with nature.

„His words remind us all of the beauty of the natural world and are the perfect and most appropriate way to open up the latitude to celebrate the creativity and critical environmental consciousness of our younger generation.”

Latitude takes place from 25th to 28th July at Henham Park near Southwold.