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Group News and Events

Annual Gala Awards Night

 

Saturday 16th November 2013

A group of talented writers joined 'The University of Liverpool  Creative Writing Society for Lifelong Learning' writing group, to celebrate our Annual Awards Night at the Casa, Liverpool, on Saturday 16th November 2013.  The event was well attended with people arriving from Twickenham, Manchester and other parts of the UK.

 

 

The night began with a few words from Group secretary, Tommy McBride, who thanked all those who had sent in their excellent pieces of writing for the competition and those who had worked so hard for many months to make the competition and event such a success. Tommy was followed by Competition Judge, Linda Walters who made reference to the excellent standard of writing she had been given the pleasure to read. Linda had worked many hours reading the many entries and made reference to the extra special work that had been placed in the competion.

 

 

Representatives from the Alzheimer's Society, Barbara Baker and Gary Carruthers, were present and worked extremely hard throughout the evening selling raffle taickets and talking to people about the work of the Alzheimer's Society. Well done Barbara and Gary for all your hard work which helped raise a total amount of £525.40 for the Alzheimer's Society - a fantastic amount. Many thanks to all those who were present who gave so generaously on the night which really did make a big difference to the final amount raised.

 

 

Many people had contributed prizes to the raffle and deserve our thanks, including:

 

 

The wonderful Roger McGough, Liverpool poet, who donated a hand-written poem  and two of his books; all three signed by Roger who also sent his best wishes to everyone particularly the Alzheimer's Society which he supports.

 

 

Neil Maxwell-Keys, Managing Director of writestorybooksforchildren.com, who donated an on-line writing for children course. Thank you Neil and your delightful wife, Hayley, who also attended the event.

 

 

Sophie and Paul from the Ship and Mitre public house also attended and presented a voucher for a selection of real ales and meal for two. Many thanks Sophie and Paul and all those at the Ship and Mitre who make our writing group feel very welcome when we hold our weekly Tuesday group meetings.

 

 

Mal and Joe Ackers, friends of Tommy McBride also gave generously to our raffle. Thanks to Mal and Joe.

 

 Charlotte Cummings, a member of our writing group who, with help from group members, prepared a Christmas hamper and awarded it to the lucky winner on the night. Many thanks Charlotte and all those who contributed to the hamper.

 

 

There were others who also gave generously but remain unamed. Thank you to all of you.

 

 

Alan  McCormick, winner of the 'Short Story' category started the night reading his beautiful story, 'Swallow.' Alan was followed by Christine Minshall reading her wonderful short story, 'One Hour.' f Christine wasollowed by the talented Don Nixon, winner of the Poetry section, reading his poem, 'A politician visits a local care home.'  The equally talented Tony O'neil, runner-up of the poerty section, followed Don reading his poem, 'Ogden.' The final reading from our winners came from Lindy Newns, the overall winner of the playwriting section. Lindy was joined by Tommy McBride reading her play 'Sky Suspended.' The standard of work was exceptional and the readings by the winning writers made the evening really special. 

 

 

Following a short break Guest Poet, Linda Walters - who is also an excellent poet, read some of her work . Linda always entertains people with the high standard of her work which she delivers with true professionalism. Linda was followed by our second Guest Poet, the wonderful, funny, intelligent and thought provoking David Bateman. David always supports our events with his excellent poetry. This man is a brilliant performance poet. If you have never heard David recite his work I urge you to do so and buy one of his books. You will not be sorry.

 

 

The raffle was held and some very good, kind and generous people won prizes. Well done to all of you and thanks again for giving so genereously.

 

 

The remainder of the night was an open-mic night with members of 'The University of Liverpool Writing Society for Lifelong Learning' reading their work. There was a mixture of the serious, not so serious and the hilarious ( Dr Phil Leesom). We also heard Tommy sing three songs which everyone enjoyed. (insert group members names)

 

 

The event was a real success and many people have since commented that they had a wonderful night where they made some very good friends. Many thanks to you all and let's look forward to another competition next year when we will, once again, have an opportunity to hear and meet many wonderful writers from across the UK.

 

Website designed and created by Hilary May Alexander April 2013

Picture taken by Hilary Alexander
October 2013
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