Derek Walcott paid a visit to the Grow Well Centre library to the delight of children and volunteers alike.

In the above picture little Faith Danzie looks through children’s colouring sheets because she wants to show the famous poet/artist her “paintings”.

Grow Well board member Paul Lorde briefed the Nobel laureate on the upcoming Young Poets Competition which invites children under 18 who attend school or live in the Gros Islet district to write a short poem on a theme dear to Mr Walcott’s heart.

The competition honours Mr Walcott’s 80th birthday and closes March 16th.

Entry forms are available at schools throughout Gros Islet, at Sunshine Bookshop and at Grow Well Centre in Gros Islet. Prizes include digital cameras, cell phones, vouchers at Sunshine bookshop and Digicel, and special copies of Mr Walcott’s Selected Poems. The Landings is the main sponsor. A grand award ceremony is planned for March 25th at the Gros Islet Secondary School in Beausejour. For more information, call Paul Lorde at 461-2821 or Susan Guillaume at 485-3704.