Our short story writing competition is back after the success of last year’s which produced some very high quality entries. This is the 15th year of the competition; originally started by our patrons, RC Bridgestock, international crime writing authors.
Chris Cane, competition organiser, said, ‘This is an exciting opportunity for budding Island writers to become published authors and win some great prizes by very talented people. This year we have changed the format slightly; the under 8’s will write a story about their favourite animal or pet and the over 8’s will start their story with, ‘A funny thing happened when…..’ which will give our writers scope, creativity and a chance to let their imagination go wild! Our Award Ceremony will be on Friday 6th December at the Riverside Centre. Doors open at 6:30pm with a 7:00pm start. We will have entertainment as usual and a chance to hear some of the winning stories.
There are some great prizes to be won, including the five winning categories who will have their story recorded by one of our celebrities. They will also have the opportunity for their winning stories to be published in the County Press and Isle of Wight Observer. Vectis Radio will interview the winners on air and they will receive a podcast of their time on the radio. In addition there are also ferry vouchers, family days out at Island attractions, meal vouchers and much more!
We are delighted to announce this year’s celebrity readers who have kindly agreed to donate their time to read the winning stories.’
CHESNEY HAWKES
Chesney is an English pop singer and occasional actor. He started his career at the age of 19 when he appeared in the film Buddy’s Song, which featured his best-known single “The One and Only”, which topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and reached the top 10 in the United States. Follow-up single “I’m a Man Not a Boy” peaked at 27 in the UK, with subsequent singles including “What’s Wrong with This Picture?”, “Stay Away Baby Jane” (a collaboration with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) and “Another Fine Mess” also charting in the top 100.
Aside from music, he appeared on Channel 4’s The Games in 2005, winning a Bronze Medal. Chesney appeared on the shows, Hit Me Baby One More Time, Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, and Sing If You Can. He also appeared in the musical, Can’t Smile Without You, as the role of Tony Lowiman.
RICHARD CADELL
Richard is a British illusionist, puppeteer and screenwriter, best known for being the in-vision presenter and the hand of puppet Sooty since succeeding Matthew Corbett in 1998. He is a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle and Past President of the British section of International Brotherhood of Magicians. This is Richard’s fourth year reading for us.
STEVE POWER
Steve Power has been in the entertainment industry for 40 years; primarily a radio presenter with various radio stations in the UK.
Steve’s extensive media experience led him to set up his media training Company, Talk of the Devil in 1996 and is responsible for working on the development of various music artists including the Spice Girls, James Blunt, S Club 7, Katie Melua, Jamelia, Westlife, Paolo Nutini and Corinne Bailey Rae.
At Wave 105, he presented Steve Power At Breakfast for over 17 years before moving to 4pm – 8pm for the last 7 years.
Steve has now started a new chapter of his radio career at Nation Radio alongside fellow presenter, Selina Ross.
SELINA ROSS
Selina has had an extensive radio career. She worked on the original Devonair from 1988 which led her to work with AA Roadwatch, providing travel news to BBC & ILR stations across the South & West. With redundancy on the horizon, one of the stations she voiced travel news for took her on full time. That station was Wave 105 where she spent over 20 happy years providing travel news and co hosting with Steve Power. She now works, alongside Steve Power, on Nation Radio since Wave 105’s demise.
JOE PASQUALE
Joe Pasquale is an English comedian, actor and television presenter, noted for his trademark high, squeaky voice. He won the fourth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2004 and participated in the eighth series of Dancing on Ice in 2013. He also hosted the revived version of the game show The Price is Right.
Entry forms are available from the Sight for Wight Headquarters, Millbrooke House, 137 Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Dress for Less, 57 Pyle Street, Newport and Waterstones on the High Street, Newport. You can also email Chris admin@iwsb.org.uk or you can download an Entry Form by clicking HERE.
We will have our usual five categories:
Under 8’s
8 – 11’s
12 – 17’s
18+
Edana Minghella Award – This category winner will be for a story with strength, depth, emotion, well-being and creativity.
We do hope you will enter this year’s competition and just to let you know that the under 18’s are free to enter. 18+ is £8.00.
If you have any questions about the competition then please do not hesitate to give Chris a call on 01983 522205.
Good Luck!
