THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE WRITER’S’ NETWORK

A SUCCESSFUL EVENT AT THE 2020 LITERATURE FESTIVAL

The use of words, written or spoken, as songs, poems and stories to comfort, distract, reassure or rally has been a habit of humankind since the beginning of time and, despite the upheaval and challenges of recent months, the entries to our 2020 competition, suggest that this, at least, has stayed the same.

The theme was “My World,” decided months before the onset of COVID-19, before we could possibly have known how relevant a subject it would become. Thank you to everyone who entered. The interpretations, inspired by your lives past, present and imagined, were diverse, thought provoking and entertaining. Thank you to our lovely judges Tyler Keevil and Sarah James/Leavesley and the team at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival whose commitment and professionalism allowed us to have winners and then celebrate their success at our event in October.

It was the first time this was live streamed, the judges relaying their own work and comments by pre-recorded video. Some of the entries were read by members of the GWN team, as their authors were unable to be physically present. It was not perfect but we were proud to be there, made some friends along the way and reached a wider audience with more than two hundred people watching on line. We are all now huge fans of the internet and social media, more impressed than ever with their ability to keep us in touch with each other, the writing community and “our world”.

MARILYN TIMMS READ HER WINNING POEM “FINAL GIG AT THE MOTORWAY SERVICES”

IRIS ANNE LEWIS WAS A RUNNER UP WITH HER POEM “EARTHRISE” AND HER PROSE PIECE “TWO DARK SHADOWS” CHRISTINE GRIFFIN WAS A RUNNER UP WITH HER POEM “OLD TIMES"

The positives this year, there were many. The negatives, well, they were outdone. Congratulations to all our winners. You were amazing. The GWN Team