[John Whitworth]

We have as members the two most accomplished performers in Spectator (and Oldie) Competitions. Hardly a week goes past but one or other of these fine men does not win a prize. Raise your glasses and come on over and see their work.

[Jayne Osborn]

Oh John,

You made me open a bottle of wine so that I could raise my glass to Bill and Bazza.

Seriously, I'm with you on this one. Over the years I've been subscribing to the Oldie and the Speccie I've noticed how consistently our two guys come up trumps.
You also can't help noticing Noel Petty, D A Prince, Mary Holtby, to name but three other excellent, regular winners...it's stiff competition, which makes it all the more delicious if you win!

[Maryann Corbett]

I look in at D&A all the time and am always amazed by these gentlemen. And John, you modestly leave yourself out, but we notice you're cleaning up too. Congrats to all on this very active board.

[John Whitworth]

I had occasion today to glance through the New Statesman in W.H. Smith, something I very rarely do, and found they run a sort of leader board for winners of THEIR competition, a poor thing in that it does not allow verses. Did Marx revile rhymes? Bazza and Bill are up there too, though the leader is some fellow I've never heard of. He is probably a committed socialist and doesn't do Speccie comps. Yes, Maryanne, I don't do badly. But THESE chaps....

[Roger Slater]

There are generally six winners per competition. The way I look at it, though, there are actually just three or four spots that I can compete for, since Bill and Bazza have reserved spots, and John and a couple of other likely suspects (like Chris) will snag the third position often enough. Still, that leaves a little wiggle room for the rest of us occasionally to stumble into something. Frank, Marion, Jayne, Martin, Ereme (Joan), and probably others here have all had fleeting tastes of the glory that Bil and Bazza bask in throughout their entire lives.

[Jayne Osborn]

You're right, Bob; that's a good point.

We're like the infantry and Bill, Bazza and a couple of others are the Generals, but I can remember wondering if I'd ever see my name in The Speccie. The first time was 2000, and since then I'm just thrilled to make the grade occasionally, as the bar is set very high. If we don't win, we're still adding stuff to our repertoire that we might not have written otherwise...that's another way to look at it!

[John Whitworth]

I might remark that Janet, though she is no longer with us, has won at least twice. In her youth Wendy Cope won Speccie comps. The judge for many years, Jaspistos, was a poet - James Michie. A charming man.

Bill and Bazza don't win every week. Between them I reckon they just about do. So there are quite a few spots left. I win six or so times a year, but I am hoping to improve on that strike rate.

[FOsen]

Originally Posted by Jayne Osborn

We're like the infantry

A regular Light Brigade?

Huzzas to Bill, Bazza, and John - and to the rest of the yeo-personry (and let's not forget the estimable Gail White). Chris (who's at least a Colonel) shared his GS/Shakespeare with me and it is a hoot - I wish our more circumspect members would post their non-placing efforts either after the deadline or after the contests - I have the feeling we're missing out on some great stuff.

Frank

[Bill Greenwell]

"The leader is some fellow I've never heard of. He is probably a committed socialist and doesn't do Speccie comps."

He does, actually, and he wins when he does. He (David Silverman) is a force of nature.

Bill

[John Whitworth]

I stand corrected, Bill. I'll keep an eye open. I can't remember him. But does he rhyme? All God's chillun got rhyme. He must be rich since he obviously BUYS both the Statesman and the Speccie.