An Aberdeen Writers' Circle bi-annual event
Friday 29 May 2009
Crown Terrace Methodist Church, Aberdeen [Map]
Approximately 120 attended this event — competition entrants, parents, teachers
from the participating schools, invited guests, Aberdeen Writers' Circle and others
from Wordfringe Festival.
Moira Brown, Chair of Aberdeen Writers' Circle, opened the proceedings, welcoming
everybody. Mr McGregor spoke next. Molly Morrice, his mother-in-law, a one-time
member of Aberdeen Writers' Circle, had, he said, a long time interest in the political
and artistic life of North-East Scotland. Mr McGregor's wife now sponsors prize
money and a shield in memory of her parents with a view to encouraging the interest
in Doric poetry.
Sheena Blackhall, Makar of North-East Scotland, brought smiles to the audience's
faces with her rendering of her own children's poems and songs, accompanying herself
on the guitar.
The certificates and prizes were then presented. A special prize was presented to
Edan Hansen for designing the cover of the children's poetry book.
The children whose poems were in the book, and then the prize winners, were called
to the foot of the stage. A shield was awarded to Ordiquhill Primary School for
the best poem in Doric and the Chrissie Gibson shield was awarded to Alford Primary
School for the best overall entries.
The most lively part of the evening followed. Thirteen children braved the stage
to read their own poems. Members of Aberdeen Writers' Circle and Sheena Blackhall
read other children's poems. The poems showed a wide variation, nonsense poems,
collaborative poems and with themes varying from bullies and best friends, animals,
poems about feelings, fantasies and the paranormal.
At the end of the evening, Moira Brown thanked all who had contributed to a wonderful
evening.
Elizabeth Reinach
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