This year's winning poem, "Heritage Sight", was quite a virtuoso interpretation of the competition's aim and spirit, one which would surely have been enjoyed by the Dean himself. This was a very skilful version of Swiftian pastoral, an affectionate but sceptical observation of rural life, highlighting the "construction" of the heritage industry, and the commercial interests behind the presentation of "Nature". This was gentle, rather than savage, satire, written in a very witty and accomplished style, with subtle comic effects throughout. It recalls the style of many of Swift's "urban pastorals", such as "Description of the Morning" or "Description of a City Shower", in which Swift shows his love of certain landscapes, but more for the people than the places. "Heritage Sight" showed a similar ironic perspective on a range of village "types", including the author of the poem itself, described as a "cynical, amateur maker of verse" - a very Swiftian touch indeed. With poems such as this, the spirit of Swift is very much alive. My warmest congratulations to the author!

Professor Joe McMinn, University of Ulster