Poetry Prize Giving
To the Bookshop on Friday evening for the prize giving ceremony for the poetrywivenhoe 2011 Wivenhoe Poetry Prize. I say prize giving, but it was more like an informal front room poetry recital, aided along by fine wine and good company.
I knew that the evening would get off to a first class literary start when I had the good fortune of bumping into Mr Mule en route down to the Bookshop. Tales of prose were exchanged (Mr Mule, not me) and as ever, I walked away with a smile.
Later on in the evening and Mr Mule’s name cropped up yet again. Poetry Peter praised the Pop Genius for his inspiration and contribution towards poetrywivenhoe. I raised another glass of red in his honour.
The 2011 Wivenhoe Poetry Prize is the second such event. With over three hundred entries being submitted, the geographical reach stretched out beyond Wivenhoe, and even towards continental Europe.
Never trust those Frenchies and their romanticised way with words…
The winning entry came from Cumbria, with a host of local talent hot on the heels (helllooo Hazel!) Opening up Wivenhoe to the outside world (steady,) as well as fiercely supporting our local scene is something that poetrywivenhoe is rather proud of.
Friday evening took the form of a few (not so) formal introductions with Bookshop Sue explaining more about the support that the Wivenhoe Bookshop puts behind the prize.
Judge André Mangeot explained more about the poetry judging process. Award winners were then invited to step forward and read out their words of wisdom.
I possess an open mind when it comes to poetry, but sadly little application. I was warmed to hear @HazelFunnyFarm being rewarded with her contribution, coming from a similar non-poetry Establishment position.
Mr Mule would have loved it, and hopefully he will also be raising a glass upon hearing the recordings below. It was a case of have new shiny audio recording device, will, um, travel.
I recorded the entire event cos… I can. Radio Wivenhoe has been supplied with a copy, and I very much like the share and share alike ethos of online audio.
An anthology of the poetrywivenhoe (think I’ve got the hang of those italics now…) 2011 Wivenhoe Poetry Prize will be published locally later in the year.
I’ve already started scribbling in heavy black marker pen my submission for the next Wivenhoe Poetry Prize…
Oh woe is me…
The 2011 Wivenhoe Poetry Prize roll of honour:
First Prize: Martin Malone (Cumbria) Digitalis
Second Prize: Joy Winkler (Cheshire) The Accountant
Third Prize: Chris Waters (Devon) My Father’s Tools
Merit Prizes:
Stephen Boyce (Hampshire) Cote Vermeille
Diana Hirst (Sudbury) Journey with a Goldfish
Candyce Lange (Clacton) Another Concert
Leslie Tate (Hertfordshire) Taking the Air
Hazel Humphreys (Wivenhoe) The Beat Goes On and On
An interview with Peter Kennedy from poetrywivenhoe.
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