September got off to a flying start with the fab news that Fiona Johnson has won Ayrshire 360’s Scots-language ‘Post a Poem’ competition with her poem Coorie Doon. The theme of competition was ‘Faith’. Emotional and empathetic, Fiona’s poem, captures the impact of the Ukrainian War and offers a message of support. Coorie Doon has been translated into Ukrainian by a local Ukrainian national – and both versions have been recorded on video – Fiona reading beautifully at Kilmarnock’s Poet’s Corner. Her poem will also be included in an anthology sometime next year. Goan yersel, Fiona. Many congratulations.
Another of our successful poets, Rose MacGregor, took part in an open mic spot at the ‘Diggers aka The
Athletic Arms’ – a popular ‘Graveyard Shift’ event in Dalry, Edinburgh.
Rose read her poem Kelvingrove Bandstand from AWC’s Wheen o’ Words pamphlet and donated a copy to the pub’s Wee Poetry Library. Well done, Rose.
Susan McVey and Linda Brown had articles on the theme of ‘The Business of Writing’ published in Writers’ Narrative on Substack.
Susan’s article Making the Most of Editorial Feedback is a writer’s guide to understanding the importance of learning from and taking on board subjective feedback.
Linda’s article Getting the Routine Write takes a look at where, when and how we write, and asks whether location, time etc helps or hinders productivity.
Three of our members participated in the Poetry, Sangs an Clatter at the Burns Bachelors Club at Tarbolton on 8th September. Tracy Harvey ably MCed the event and performed poetry. Rose McGregor made a debut appearance reading one of her own poems, and Fiona McFadzean showcased poetry written by Janette Valentine, then shared a narrative piece based on how growing up with parents who recited and sang Burns at every opportunity developed her lifelong appreciation of the Ayrshire Bard. Whit a braw trio!
On Sept 9th Carolyn O’Hara performed at a very memorable event at Renaissance Care Home, Prestwick, where she gave the residents a well-received local history talk, based on her Oculeus non-fiction book. She then shared some of her ‘nostaglia’ themed poetry which went down a treat.
The September/ October edition of Ayrshire Magazine, published in early September, included two articles each from Chris Palmer and Linda Brown.
Chris’s regular entertaining gardening piece – Hattie Jacques, a Pesky Pigeon and a Frog’s Life Spared – focuses on how ‘the constant interaction with nature in the garden gives him both pleasure and pain.’
And his second article – Broon Frae Troon – is an interesting tribute to a Scottish rugby legend who never forgot his hometown.
The Squirrel, The Stag and the Hot Chocolate, Linda’s nature article retraces her walk around Lanfine Estate in the Irvine Valley. Her second piece – Friends of Fullarton – Looking After Fullarton Woods shines a spotlight on the enthusiastic volunteer group who maintain woodland in Troon.
www.ayrshiremagazine.com
Well done to our talented members. It’s great to see our writers getting a wide variety of work out there.