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Northumberland Coast AONB launches written word competition. What will you write?

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Do you love writing? Are you a budding poet? Then we have a competition just for you. Write a short story or poem about the Northumberland Coast and you could win a cash prize, as part of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership 60th anniversary celebrations.

Are you a budding writer with an interest in the coast and the natural or historic environment? Or do you work with young people or adults who are interested in writing? This competition aims to encourage people from Northumberland and beyond to reflect on and write about the Northumberland Coast. Stories that consider local people and places are encouraged. The competition is open to three age categories: 7-11 years, 12-16 years and adults. Entries could be short stories, poems or verse, as long as they meet the terms of entry. The winning entries will be published on the Northumberland Coast AONB website and used in other displays and presentations as part of our diamond celebrations.

Three renowned authors and poets have been lined up to judge the competition: Dan Smith is an award winning, Newcastle-based author of adventure stories for younger readers, and thrillers for adults; Dr Tony Williams is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Northumbria University, who writes poetry and prose fiction and Richie McCaffery is an award winning poet, with a PhD in Scottish Literature from Glasgow University. He is originally from Warkworth.

The Partnership have been awarded a grant of nearly £900 from The Pen and Palette Club to help stage further events. The Finale will be in the autumn, with a concert featuring song, music and drama celebrating the cultural heritage of the Northumberland Coast. There will be an award ceremony and prize giving for the written word competition winners and a performance of the winning entries.

Catherine Gray, Funding and Communications Officer for the AONB Partnership said: “As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we wanted to give people a chance to share their energy and enthusiasm for the area. What better way than to let imaginations run wild with a written word competition? We’re very much looking forward to reading the entries and working with our inspiring judges”.

Terms of Entry

  1. Entry is free
  2. Entries from 7-11 year olds should be 500 words maximum. Entries from 12- 16 year olds and adults should be 1000 words maximum
  3. Entries must be written in English and be your own work
  4. Entries must be submitted using the form provided, by email to: info@northumberlandcoastaonb.com or post to: Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF
  5. No more than one entry may be submitted per person
  6. Closing date for entries is 31 August 2018
  7. Winners will be notified by email no later than 30 September 2018

An online application form can be downloaded here.

Written Word Competition Entry Form.docx

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