We're into October, and the nights are starting to draw in. Halloween is fast approaching... and with it the deadline for our Autumn Poetry Competition! Read all about that and much more below.
It's here! Our Autumn Poetry Competition for writers over 60is now up and running and we're eager to read your work. You have until 31 October to send in your entries - the theme for this year's competition, judged by poet Chrys Salt, is CHOICE and of course you can interpret that any way you like! Entries cost just £3 for members, and we’re delighted to be able to offer a 1st prize of £100 plus a selection of poetry books and a runner-up prize of £50 plus a selection of poetry books. Additionally, the writers of two Highly Commended poems will each receive a copy of the Autumn Voices book.To enter or check eligibility details, go HERE, and to find out more about our judge Chrys Salt, visit her website.
Orlando the marmalade cat is looking forward to receiving more letters from your feline - and canine - friends, especially if they have problems for him to solve! Autumn Voices' very own agony uncle is ready and waiting at Ask Orlando. If your pets are shy, you can send their pictures to Show Orlando or simply Tell Orlando some fascinating facts about your animal companions.
And if you're artistically inclined, Orlando is running a competition of his own! Given that he simply refuses to submit to any further photographers, Orlando asks all budding cartoonists and caricaturists, to draw your best likeness of him in his capacity as Agony Uncle inspired by the photos we’ve provided HERE. Please send your entries in to us by email (if you have access to a scanner) or by post by October 31st, 2021. The winner will be chosen by Orlando himself, supported by his staff team, and will receive a prize of £50 plus a copy of the Autumn Voices book and a design credit on the website. Over 60’s only!
If you're not on Instagram you're missing some great content! Our new Autumn Voices account is another valuable way for us to spread the message about creative ageing and counteract the negative stereotyping that can surround older age groups. Follow us, like us, comment on us, tag us, whatever you like - and help us grow our newest platform. You can even click on the link in our Instagram bio to get more info on any of the image posts we publish.
Since our 'Clangers' feature came to an end, we're been accepting contributions from members and guest bloggers on the subject of animals, pets and the natural world and we've already published some great content from Jennifer Nisbet on volunteering at The Scottish Seabird Centre, Vivien Martin on the place of woods within the natural world, conservationist Polly Pullar on wildlife rehabilitation (and squirrels!!) and Roger Lever on his time as a "high street vet". We've also had responses to our Quick And Quirky Questions from Sue Oxley, Vivien Martin, Polly Pullar, Roger Lever and Judy Lever.
We have a new theme for October - look out for all the content we'll be publishing in support of Black History Month over the next few weeks.
And hurry! You've still got today and tomorrow to send us your flash memoirs on animals, pets and the natural world - we have a lovely book, A Scurry of Squirrels: Nurturing The Wild, by the aforementioned Polly Pullar to give away as a prize.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival begins in Edinburgh on 15 October and runs through to the end of the month. The programme looks great and tickets are onsale now! If you're going to be in Scotland's capital, don't miss this terrific set of events and activities. CLICK HERE to find out more.
And finally.... our very first poetry and publishing workshops went off without a hitch on 18th Sept 2021 at Eskdalemuir Community Hub and were much appreciated by those who attended, either in person or via Zoom. More workshops are scheduled for early December, also funded by DG Unlimited as part of the 'Watering Grassroots' live event series. Details soon!
