IT WAS with amusement and a little embarrassment that a poetry competition winner was forced to award himself the trophy.
When Les Williams poem, Betrayal, was voted club members’ favourite by Thames Valley Writers Circle’s, as the group’s coordinator he found himself with the unusual duty of presenting himself with the Chris Mundy Memorial Trophy.
The competition cup is awarded by the writing circle in memory of Chris Mundy, a former treasurer and coordinator of the group, who died unexpectedly while volunteering at the Newbury Show.
Competition entry poems are entered unsigned on the club’s website, so all members can vote unpersuaded by the author, and even if they have not themselves entered the competition.
Les Williams’s winning Betrayal is described as a warning of smiles and hugs.
David Bullock’s ISIS, the story of the Thames, came second, followed by Walter Jardine’s Daffodils, in praise of the flower.
The writers group (currently around 30) are always pleased to welcome new members.
They describe themselves as a friendly bunch, who mostly come from the Reading area.
Their work includes novels, short stories, memoirs, children’s books, poetry, journalism and autobiographies.
Some have been published, while others have not yet put creative pen to paper, but the aim of the group is to stimulate, encourage and enable all those who wish to write for their own enjoyment and/or to publish their work.
To do this, they encourage members to read their work for constructive comment by other members.
They also invite guest speakers to share their knowledge and experience, who in the past have included Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse), Robert Harris (Enigma, Fatherland, Pompei and Imperium) and John Jenkins, (editor and publisher of Writers’ Forum).
Weekly meetings alternate between two venues: in person, at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Tilehurst; and online.
All are on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with breaks at holiday times.
Anyone interested in joining can email to arrange a trial visit.
For information, and to join, visit: thamesvalleywriterscircle.org
