Biddenden FLAIR: A Celebration of Art and Literature, in its many forms.

To promote the joy of Creative Arts to adults and children in and around the local area.

The FLAIR Festival is an event to celebrate Biddenden's literary heritage and to promote the joy of creative art, visual art and the written word to children and adults of all ages across the Weald of Kent. Staged by the Community Library and run totally by volunteers, our programme offers a great mix of art styles supported by both well-known and up-and-coming artists.

The community library is based in the 800-year-old church of Biddenden and provides a professional yet friendly setting, fostering a sense of community that welcomes people of all ages and from all backgrounds. We're the kind of people who get excited about new book releases, can't resist a good page-turner and love to discuss it over a cuppa.

Our aim is to organise events and collaborate with local business, schools, and others to help our community learn and work together.  Events that showcase local artists and craftspeople. We are committed to widening access to the arts for all.

Pushing the boundaries new FLAIR projects are now in progress for later this year and 2026. These are to include creative writing, film, photography and art.

Writing with FLAIR. 

Last year in our literary festival we asked you to write a heartfelt review of a favourite book, film or work of art. The response was passionate and enthusiastic, and the standard of entries very high. This year we invite you to get creative in a different way and respond to the word: 'Extraordinary'

What does ‘Extraordinary’ mean to you?

Write a story or poem that you want to write and be famous for.

• Extraordinary characters or ordinary people who do extraordinary things?
• Extraordinary Places?
• Extraordinary Creatures?
• Extraordinary Objects?
• Extraordinary situations?

Just let your imagination run free!

You can submit your work below but before starting, think about…

• Your culture and background. How will you bring your own particular experience/voice into your poem or story?
• The main characters and what are they doing in the story?
• Because we don’t have long to get involved in your story – how do you make the reader interested in the characters or their situations?
• A great middle and ending as well as a strong start to your story.
• Does the story end with a surprise, shock or twist, or does it leave the reader wondering what happens next?

If you choose poetry…

• What sort of poem will you write? You may choose freely (for example, narrative, shape, acrostic, haiku, rhyme, free verse).
• Is your poem meant to be read aloud or performed?
• How is the poem meant to make the reader feel?

What are the judges looking for? This is very important!

Stories

• An original approach to the competition theme.
• Good story structure (a beginning, middle and end)
• Thoughtful writing choices
• Engaging and interesting characters
• Vivid description

Poetry

• An original approach to the competition theme
• The power and passion of the poem
• Creative use of wordplay and style
• Use of poetic forms and structure

Above all, the judges are looking for something that readers will remember, not only for the content but also the writer’s personality, style and voice.

Our judges will include people who work with the written word: published authors, copy writers and journalists. They will choose ONE winner per category.

Prizes

In addition to first prizes of £50 Waterstones vouchers in each group, the winning entries will be celebrated in print in the November edition of the Biddenden Parish Magazine for others to enjoy. - No cash alternative.

Competition Rules!

Age Categories and Word Limits*

• Group A: 5 years to 8 years. Please write up to 500 words (it could even be a maximum 100 words) OR 20 lines of poetry (shorter is fine)
• Group B: 9 years to12 years. Please write up to 500 words OR 35 lines of poetry
• Group C: 13 years to 17 years. Please write up to 750 words OR 35 lines of poetry
• Group D: Ages 18 and above. Please write up to 750 words OR 35 lines of poetry

* You can write a little over the limit but no more than 10%. There is no minimum limit

You can submit your masterpiece by email to Biddendenflair@gmail.com to reach us by 5pm Saturday August 30th 2025.
Or hand it in at Biddenden Community Library on Saturday August 30th between 10am and 12 noon.

Entries must contain the age group, name and email/telephone number of the entrant.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to return entries, so we recommend making a copy before sending. The decisions of our judges will be final.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook@Biddendenflair

Plagiarism and AI - We will screen all work and disqualify any work that is plagiarised – either copied and pasted directly from the internet or from other sources, including AI.

Good luck!

FLAIR offers an ideal opportunity for all ages to get involved in the community and volunteer projects.

How Can You Get Involved?  Volunteer with us:  or email us at: info@Biddendenlibrary.org.uk