[Julie Steiner]

I saw this on a British poetry list that I am, for reasons that remain unclear to me, still a member of, despite the general hostility of that list to rhyme and meter:

http://www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk/poetry.html

You have to read down a bit for the email entry directions.

Today one of the contest judges (a member of the aforementioned list) mentioned that he has received very few entries. The deadline is 10 May.

[Ann Drysdale]

This does seem to be a bit of a one-man enterprise on behalf of a very local festival. After reading this

http://www.blurb.co.uk/b/853464-that-time-of-year

I am smiling and wishing him well. I might enter, just for the fun of telling him where I heard about his competition. Bless him.

There are worse places to read than Chipping Sodbury. And remember, if he's an Athletics Starter, he's licensed to carry.

Ready, steady - GO.

[Jayne Osborn]

Hmm...

The rules indicate that "additional prizes may be awarded at the judge's discretion" but also:

"The judges will announce their decision in the press and to the winners. We cannot call everyone to report the judges’ decision."

"The decision of the adjudicator shall be final and binding upon the participants entering this competition."

"Payment can be made by PayPal or snunnpoetry@gmail.com or by cheque made payable to Stuart Nunn"

Mr Nunn was an English teacher so he surely can't be confused about singular and plural, nor about apostrophes, in these references to the judge(s), who isn't/aren't specifically named. The payment goes to him, but is he simply the Competition Administrator?

I think Annie's suggestion that it might be "a bit of a one-man enterprise" is probably correct; seeing a couple of Mr Nunn's poems leaves me in no doubt that, if he is the sole judge (or judges ) I won't waste my time or money as my stuff wouldn't have a hope.

Jayne

[Ann Drysdale]

I have a sub-agenda. I, too, am offering my "expertise" to a small, local Festival. I am being assisted by no less a person than than the winner of the Costa prize. Nevertheless, nobody will be especially interested in the poetry. Look at the other things on offer in Chipping Sod. - the town band, Abba tribute, "Ever-changing Sodbury", the local kids dancing (shades of South Riding!). Just the same here in the Valleys.

Poor Stuart has no idea how many, if any, people will enter his competition. He might have to pay any prize money out of his own pocket or (never underestimate the hope fluttering in his truly-human breast) there might be a great last-minute flood of entries and he'll need to recruit more judges in a hurry.

I'm going to send him a tenner's-worth anyway. And if I win, I'll use some of it to pay my fare to the Town Hall and donate the rest to next year's Festival.

.
Editing-in. I've sent a fistful of squibs and a few quid. For reasons expressed above.

.

[Marcia Karp]

Well-said, Ann. Warmly-felt.

[Rick Mullin]

Didn't Spinal Tap play at the Chipping Sodbury Festival? Back in '72 or something like that?

RM

[Steve Bucknell]

Ha!

I have sent Stuart "The Pencil Lover", hand-written in pencil, by snail-mail, this afternoon, enclosing a cheque.

[Jayne Osborn]

I hope "The Pencil Lover" wins, Steve. I read it this morning but haven't had time to post a reply. I think it's great!

[Steve Bucknell]

Thanks Jayne,

I can feel that fame beckons, though I can't even get the title of my own poem right!

[Ann Drysdale]

Oh, bless you, Steve!