Although poetry slams have been around for quite some time, in the UK it is only recently that they have attracted much public interest.  The aggressive live competitions where writers bring their words to audiences who will score them out of ten have no rules about what counts as ‘poetry’ – entrants can rap, rhyme, or even break into haikus. The pressure is on, for poets are given only three minutes to impress. As if this weren’t tough enough, props are forbidden. The stage is left bare, with only the poet’s words to fill the space.

This year the Cambridge Strawberry Fair is holding its own poetry slam, a first for the fair which is a yearly art, music and crafts festival held on the first Saturday in June. The organisers have arranged a packed show with guest spots for renowned poetry slammers like Bridget Minamore, Sabrina Mahfouz, Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger.

Finalists of varying ages, backgrounds and interests have been chosen for the day based on videos uploaded to the strawberry slam web page during the past few months. Their work is eclectic, ranging from the humorous and uplifting KeliAnne, who tells us she's

 to the sharp Leanne Moden: 

Other poets like Phoebe Power are passionate, lyrical and vivid:   

The Strawberry slam is set to be a promising event. The question of who will win is up in the air as critics and judges sharpen their pencils. Of course, there can only be one winner – but for many the prize will be won in reaching a live, thriving, tempestuous audience, and watching them recoil or rejoice.

The Strawberry Slam will comence this Saturday, June 2nd at 7pm on the newly built ‘Slam Stage’ at the Strawberry Fair on Midsummer Common.