Wigtown Poetry Competition Prizegiving 2 May

The prestigious Wigtown Poetry Competition will present this year’s winners with their prizes at a public award ceremony in the County Buildings, Wigtown at 12.30pm on Saturday 2 May. For your chance to meet the winning poets and the judges, and hear the prizewinning poems read in person by their authors, contact Wigtown Festival Office on 01988 402036 for tickets (£4), which include a complimentary glass of wine.

Judge Professor Douglas Dunn will present the winner, Victor Tapner, of Billericay, with the main cash prize of £2,500 for his poem ‘Dancing for Monsieur Degas’. The winner of the Gaelic prize, Tormad Caimbeul from Lewis, wins £1,000 for his poem ‘Rathad Dhuncreige’, to be presented by the Gaelic writer and judge Kevin MacNeil. Also on hand to receive their prizes and read their winning poems will be Barbara Smith from Dundalk, Jim Carruth from Bridge of Weir and Mora Maclean from Glasgow. The Love Poem category, sponsored by the World Burns Federation for Homecoming Scotland 2009, was won by Rob Foxcroft with his poem, ‘The Dark Time of the Year’.

Come along to Wigtown on Saturday to enjoy the best in new poetry!

Jackie Galley and Fiona Russell at Open Stage Wed 29 April

This month's Open Stage sees a flowering of talent with guest spots by talented nature poets Fiona Russell and Jackie Galley, in company with successful singer songwriter Emma Gillespie, on Wednesday 29 April, 7pm at the Birkhill Hotel, Dumfries. Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, this popular monthly event provides an opportunity for local poets and songwriters to perform their material before an always enthusiastic and appreciative audience.