Writing competition judges, Judith Barrow and Emily Hinshelwood, for short story and poetry categories respectively, have awarded first, second and third prizes for the three best short stories and three best poems entered for the Tenby Arts Festival Writing Competition.  The six prize winners share in the competition’s £500 prize fund.

The prize winners are – for the short story, First Prize, Mrs Gerry Childs of Tenby; Second Prize, Mr Andrew Dutton of Derbyshire; and Third Prize, Mrs Valerie Bowes of Surrey.  For the poetry category , First Prize, Miss Claire Opie of Gloucestershire;  Second Prize, Ms Margaret Eddershaw of Nafplion, Greece; and Third Prize, Mr Al McClimens of Sheffield.

The competition attracted a total of 410 entries.  Many individuals entered more than one short story or poem so that the 410 entries were submitted by about 220 individuals.  Of these, 26 versatile writers submitted entries for both the short story and poetry categories.

Local support for the competition was strong with 34% of entries coming from the three West Wales counties.  8% of entries came from other parts of Wales, with 52% from England, and 5% from  Scotland, Ireland and the Channel  Islands.  One entry was received from Greece, and one from Florida. Of the competitors 60% are women, 40% men.  This balance is nearly reflected within the prize winning group, where two of the six prize winners are men. Overall, a wonderful outcome to the challenge of the Tenby Arts Festival’s first writing competition.