Ayr Writers’ Awards Dinner was truly a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Good food, great company and a warm, welcoming atmosphere made it a celebration to remember. There was laughter around every table, plenty of conversation, and above all, a real sense of encouragement and friendship among writers who all share the same passion for putting words on a page.
One of the more emotional moments of the evening was saying goodbye to Fiona as our president. Fiona has led Ayr Writers with dedication, kindness and enthusiasm throughout the year, and she will certainly be a very hard act to follow. Her support and encouragement have meant a great deal to so many members, and she leaves behind big shoes to fill.
Congratulations must also go to everyone who was placed in the competitions. It was lovely to celebrate all the winners and runners-up and recognise the talent within the group. Yet, in many ways, I believe we are all winners. Writing takes courage. Sharing our work with others, entering competitions and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable on the page is no small thing. The support we give each other as writers is invaluable, encouraging every one of us to keep going, keep learning and keep believing in our work.
The raffle was another great success, and thanks go to Gavin and Linda for dishing out all the tickets throughout the evening. Special thanks also to Fiona McFadzean for organising the trophies and creating such a lovely trophy table, and to Marion for arranging the beautiful flowers.
Finally, thanks must go to everyone who helped make the Awards Dinner such a fantastic evening, and to all the committee members whose hard work throughout the year keeps Ayr Writers thriving. Events like this do not happen without a great deal of time, effort and dedication behind the scenes.
It was a lovely evening and a fitting celebration of writing, friendship and community.