It seems to me the winners of the 'Alma Mater' Competition were of an almost unprecedentedly high standard, so I quite forgive Lucy for not selecting any one of the three entries I showered on her. Jim Hayes and Jerome Betys just missed the cut, though Jeremy had an excellent stanza quoted. Gail White and Chris O'Carroll won for the Sphere - and for themselves. Those of you who know not Saint Custard's, hang your heads. You've been spending far too much time reading serious literature. AND illustrations by Ronald Searle!
This week's competition will, I am sure interest you. I don't see why the Minister should not speak in verse - some of the LANGUAGE stuff eh? Didn't ee cummings enter this competition ninety years ago?
No. 2645: Language barrier
To mark the forthcoming election, you are invited to submit an example of impenetrable ministerial waffle (150 words maximum). Please email entries, where possible, to
lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 28 April.
The full Alma Mater text appears in Competition: Alma Mater